Physical therapist performing knee exercises with patient.

Why Physical Therapy Is an Important Factor in a Personal Injury Settlement

Simply put, the cost of the care you need after an accident will add to the total amount of your personal injury settlement. However, each accident and injury are very different. For instance, consider a whiplash with physical therapy settlement. You could be looking at anywhere from a few thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand, depending on the severity of the injury.

Physical therapy can be a significant factor in the amount of compensation you receive for an injury. This is for three reasons:

1. Physical Therapy Can Help You Heal Better

After an injury, per Medical News Today, physical therapy can help:

Manage pain
Avoid surgery
Recover from injury or trauma
Recover from paralysis
Improve mobility, movement, & balance

In fact, “a physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis to restorative and preventative stages of recovery.”

When injured in an unexpected accident, the goal is to heal quickly and try to return to the life you knew before. Physical therapists aim to aid in that recovery. PT is another step in the healing process and is worth utilizing as a rehabilitation tool.

2. Not Attending Prescribed Physical Therapy Can Affect Your Settlement

If you are prescribed physical therapy to help you recover after an accident, it could be interpreted badly if you don’t go. The insurance company might assume that you don’t need the therapy because you aren’t actually injured, or at least not to the extent you claim.

Take this opportunity to reap the benefits of all treatments available to mend your injuries. Then, be sure to attend appointments and participate in the treatment. However, it is also essential not to push yourself past your limits and to always take your doctor’s advice. Insurance adjusters will take any opportunity to diminish the severity of your injuries—don’t give them a chance.

3. Physical Therapy Records Can Be Used as Proof of Your Injury

Each physical therapy appointment is an occasion to document your pain and discomfort. You will have a running record of the level of pain you are living with, the modifications you’ve had to make since the accident, and the loss of enjoyment you may be suffering.

The records kept during physical therapy sessions can then be used to assess your damages. An attorney can speak with your doctors to gain an understanding of how your injuries have and will affect your life. Documentary evidence and expert testimony both provide excellent support when negotiating a settlement.

What Damages Should I Seek in a Personal Injury Settlement?

When determining a settlement amount or asking for compensation in a lawsuit, there are primarily two types of damages to consider. These are economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the more easily quantifiable damages incurred in any type of accident. These refer specifically to financial losses now and in the future. These may include, but are not limited to:

Current & future medical expenses
Property damage
Current & future lost wages
Loss of earning capacity, if your injuries are severe and you are not able to return to your previous profession

Any long-term expenses will also need to be considered, including prescription medications, medical equipment, surgeries, and more. Physical therapy expenses—current and future—would be included in the economic damages portion of the settlement. Retaining all records of your physical therapy and prescriptions or treatment plans for the future is essential to ensure you are properly compensated.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. These focus on the accident’s impact on the victim’s quality of life and mental health. These may include, but are not limited to:

Pain & suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Disability and/or disfigurement
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Insurance adjusters tend to put less value on these types of losses, yet they can be just as debilitating as financial losses—some even more so. Some accidents and injuries can have social and psychological repercussions that will influence the rest of your life. With an experienced attorney in your corner, you can estimate the dollar amount suitable for your suffering.

How To Ensure Your Settlement Is Appropriate

Insurance companies are always on their own side. They do not care what your actual losses are or how this accident has impacted your life. You need to look out for your best interests and talk to a lawyer who can advocate for you.

Never take the first offer you receive; this is the insurance adjuster’s attempt to make a quick deal that ends up costing you. You may not even know the extent of your injuries. Take the time to determine what your future injury-related expenses could be, and consider how this injury will affect your life and psychological well-being.

The best way to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve is to hire a skilled lawyer. They will be able to assess your damages, negotiate on your behalf, and pursue your claim by all legal means.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Patrick Daniel Law is Strategic, Meticulous, and Merciless. We leave no stone unturned in our mission to recover what you deserve. Attorney Patrick Daniel understands that you’re struggling to recover and will handle the details so you can heal.

Contact Patrick Daniel Law for a FREE case evaluation if you’ve been injured in an accident and need help obtaining a fair personal injury settlement. Our personal injury attorney serves clients in and around Houston, all of Texas, and nationwide.

Does Physical Therapy Increase My Settlement?