Many personal injury victims have questions like, “How does physical therapy increase my settlement?” Getting needed physical therapy can increase how much compensation you receive if you win your personal injury lawsuit. The reason for this is that it adds to your overall damages—i.e., the expenses you have to pay because of the incident. Additionally, attending PT provides you with more evidence you can use to support your claim. In turn, working with a physical therapist can not only safeguard your health, it can also strengthen your legal case.
At Lyons Physical Therapy, we specialize in providing targeted services to those injured by the wrongdoing of others. We have robust training in supervised stretching and strengthening exercises, manual therapies, and the use of technology and state-of-the-art equipment—like HawkGrips. Working with a physical therapist for personal injury victims in Las Vegas can help set you up for a successful healing and legal journey.
Ways That Physical Therapy Can Increase Your Personal Injury Settlement
Participating in physical therapy treatment may boost your compensation package in a number of ways. For example, you can strengthen your legal claim by presenting your PT’s session notes and diagnosis. Likewise, the added cost of having to go to PT in the past and future can indirectly increase what you may receive in damages. Lastly, the fact that you went to physical therapy shows your dedication to getting better, which can help to prove that getting money for PT services would be beneficial.
You Can Use PT Records as Evidence of Your Injury
Your physical therapist conducts an independent evaluation of your condition, including the underlying reason for your injury and what can be done to move you closer to your pre-accident functional level. As you progress along your treatment plan, the therapist will note how your body responds to the exercises and what your limitations are because of your injury. You can use these medical notes in your court case to support your claim that someone else—like a drunk motorist—harmed you, and you experienced losses because of it.
Your Settlement May Include the Future Cost of Necessary PT
If you need to continue physical therapy beyond the end of your court case, your final settlement may include the anticipated costs of these services. For example, Nevada law allows you to request compensation for future damages if you can prove they are necessary and related to the accident.
You may establish this by asking a member of your treatment team—like your physical therapist—to tell the court about what kinds of ongoing services you may need and why. If you are successful, your financial award might include future expenses for your sessions with your PT.
Going to Physical Therapy Can Show Your Commitment to Recovery
Participating in physical therapy shows a commitment to recovery. It’s one way to prove to the court and the person who caused the car crash that you are doing everything possible to improve your situation. You can show that, despite your best efforts, you are still hurt, but you will keep putting in the effort to regain your functional levels. Your commitment to your recovery also helps to show that a settlement you receive for PT would be beneficial and not go to waste.
How Not Attending Physical Therapy Sessions Can Potentially Impact Your Settlement
If your doctor or physical therapist tells you to continue or start PT treatment and you decline, it can negatively impact your settlement. The insurance company and at-fault party—like a drunk driver—may look for any sign that you’re better and that you don’t need additional money for your injuries.
If you stop attending your sessions, the insurer may use this to show that you no longer need treatment. In turn, the insurer may try to decrease your compensation package. The best practice may be to continue attending prescribed sessions as long as they are helping you recover after the accident.
How Physical Therapy Records Can Be Used as Evidence To Support Your Compensation Claim
When you sue someone who caused an accident, part of what you need to do is prove that their actions caused you harm. This harm can be physical—like a broken or sprained wrist or arm—and financial—like having to repair your car or pay for medical care. When you request compensation, you should have evidence to show that you experienced losses because of the other person’s actions.
Your physical therapy records can be helpful evidence in this situation. They show your physical therapist’s notes about your condition, including the underlying cause, how it impacts your functioning, and your expected recovery. Additionally, they are proof of the financial impact of the accident on your life. You can use your physical therapy documents to prove the physical and economic impact of the other person or agency’s actions.
Need Physical Therapy After a Personal Injury? Contact Lyons Physical Therapy Today
When you get hurt in an accident—like a slip and fall or car crash—you may have to take time away from a job you love and bow out of family gatherings. Physical therapy can help you by empowering you to find your new normal while also striving to reclaim the functions you may have lost in the accident. Additionally, going to prescribed physical therapy can increase your settlement for your personal injury case.
At Lyons Physical Therapy, we proudly serve Las Vegas, Nevada, and the surrounding areas. We seek to empower personal injury victims by helping them to retrain their bodies and encourage proper healing. Dr. Colton Cardon’s research on the Chester Step Test has been published in the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy Journal. Contact our team today by calling 702-476-0222 to schedule a no-obligation evaluation.
