Filing a spinal injury claim can be daunting, especially when you’re still focused on recovery. Understanding the common mistakes to avoid when filing a spinal injury claim in Los Angeles, CA, can help you protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Mistakes such as delaying medical treatment, minimizing long-term effects, or simply trusting an insurance adjuster too soon can all harm your case. Educating yourself at the beginning helps you avoid some of these mistakes and take control of the claims process.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer From Easton & Easton?
With more than 100 years of experience, Easton & Easton is prepared to take on your spinal injury claim. Our lawyers have an impressive record of success, and we stop at nothing to ensure you receive what you deserve.
Delaying or Skipping Medical Treatment
One of the most harmful mistakes when making a spinal injury claim is not seeking medical care immediately. Insurance companies often assume that if there was a significant period of time between the accident and receiving treatment, the injury was not serious or the result of the accident. Even if you feel fine in the immediate aftermath of an accident, a spinal injury can become more severe or present delayed symptoms over time.
Not going to your scheduled follow-ups or failing to follow your doctor’s orders can also be detrimental to your case. If you do not show up for regular appointments, there will be fewer medical records to corroborate your injuries and the long-term effects they have on your life. Staying on top of your care from the start also shows that you are committed to getting better, which can help support the severity of your case.
In Los Angeles and the surrounding communities, high-quality medical facilities like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Cedars Sinai Medical Center are two of the state’s finest treatment centers for spinal cord injuries.
Speaking Freely With Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters appear amicable, but their goal is to make small payouts, which conflicts with protecting your interests. A recorded statement given prematurely, speculation about fault, or offhand remarks minimizing your pain can all be used to attack your claim. In a spinal injury case, where damages may be significant, the insurer may be particularly aggressive in pressuring you to settle early and for far less than you are owed.
Don’t discuss the details of your injury or sign anything without first consulting a lawyer. Innocent statements may be distorted and used to attack your credibility. An experienced personal injury attorney can speak on your behalf so that your words cannot be twisted to deny or diminish your rightful recovery.
Underestimating the Long-Term Impact of the Injury
Spinal cord injuries can cause latent complications like chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent disability. Signing a quick settlement offer before you fully understand your condition is an expensive mistake. Settlements are final, and you will typically be unable to reopen your case for more money down the road if your condition changes or deteriorates.
Try to account for future medical bills, physical therapy, adaptive equipment, and lost wages before you accept an offer. A comprehensive medical review and an experienced lawyer can help you estimate the long-term costs of your injury and make certain your claim accounts for its future impact on your life, not just its immediate effect.
The Prevalence and Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are more common than many people realize, and they often carry lifelong consequences. There are about 18,000 new cases of SCIs annually, with 255,000 to 390,000 people currently living with a spinal cord injury in the United States. Worldwide, more than 15 million people living today have experienced this type of injury. These data demonstrate the widespread existence and significant impact of these injuries.
Victims frequently underestimate their symptoms and anticipate fast healing. This can lead to delayed treatment, premature settlements, and being ill-equipped to handle the long term. It’s important to take spinal injuries seriously from the outset. Getting prompt medical and legal assistance can help safeguard your health, your finances, and your future.
FAQs
Q: What Should I Do Immediately After a Spinal Injury?
A: After a spinal injury, get medical attention immediately, even if the injury does not appear to be serious. Spinal injuries may develop more serious effects after the initial injury has occurred. Getting early treatment also establishes a medical record of your condition for your claim.
Document every detail from the event and refrain from blaming anyone or sharing information about it online. Hire a personal injury attorney after treatment to safeguard your rights before communicating with insurance companies or providing official statements.
Q: Can I Still File a Spinal Injury Claim If I Didn’t Go to the Hospital Right Away?
A: Yes, you can still file a spinal injury claim if you didn’t go to the hospital right away. However, the burden of proof becomes heavier when demonstrating the authenticity of your injuries. Insurance companies may try to use the delay in treatment to suggest that your injury is not serious or that it did not happen during the accident. If you delayed medical care, you should begin treatment immediately and explain why you waited.
Q: Is It Safe to Talk to the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer?
A: You should not speak with insurance companies without an attorney. Insurance adjusters come across as helpful people, yet they work to close claims rapidly while minimizing payout amounts. Insurance adjusters can use leading questions or ask for recorded statements that may be used against you in your case. Your attorney can control all interactions with insurers to prevent incorrect statements that might lower your claim’s value. They can ensure you retain your legal rights.
Q: What if My Spinal Injury Seems Minor at First?
A: If your spinal injury seems minor, you should still see a doctor. A little pain or tingling can sometimes be indicative of a more serious injury or condition. Spinal injuries can also progress or develop complications over time. If you minimize your injury or accept an early, lowball settlement offer, you may be barred from recovering damages for future treatment. Any back pain, stiffness, or tingling should be taken seriously, and you should have your injury evaluated by a physician.
Contact a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Lawyer
A spinal injury claim can have high stakes, and simple errors can cost you the compensation that you need to ensure your long-term care and recovery. At Easton & Easton, we guide injury victims through complex claims with precision, compassion, and skill.
Our family-owned firm has more than 100 years of collective experience. We know how to protect your rights, negotiate with insurers, and build a strong case that tells the full story of your injury.
If you have suffered a spinal injury in an accident, make sure that unnecessary mistakes do not jeopardize your future. Call Easton & Easton today for a consultation with a compassionate Los Angeles spinal injury attorney. We are here to help you move forward with strength.
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