What To Do When an Insurance Adjuster Requests Your Medical Records After a Claim
After an accident, determining the extent of your injuries and the impact they will have on your life will be anything but straight forward. A professional personal injury lawyer can help you sort out complicated issues.
Your doctor will document the extent of your injuries; how long until you may fully recover, what limitations you will have for the duration of the healing process, etc. The insurance company will want access to your medical records as soon as they can get them.
Legally, you are not obligated to share any medical information unless, and until, you go to trial. Sharing information can be a grey area—you don’t want to give out too much or too soon (the extent of your injuries can take days or weeks to fully manifest), but you also want to finish the legal proceedings in a timely manner with an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to put the whole thing behind you.
Medical Record Review
Your personal injury lawyer will review your case, including all evidence AND your medical records, and provide advice on what files you should turn over to the insurance company. You want to make sure that all medical records go through you—you do not want to give the insurance company written or verbal permission to discuss anything with your doctor.
Once the insurance company has your files the insurance adjuster will likely have questions on the information contained therein. These might be questions about diagnosis, factors considered when determining prognosis, or requests for clarification. In extreme circumstances, the insurance company may want more than clarification from your physician, they may want you to undergo an “Independent Medical Examination” otherwise known as an “IME.”
Independent Medical Examination (IME)
An IME is typically requested only when there are widely differing opinions on the extent of an injury or its prognosis. Usually, this stems from an insurance adjuster not believing the severity of an injury to be as bad as you claim them to be. Because an IME is expensive, usually some sort of compromise is sought, but when no agreement can be reached, the insurance company may request that you meet with an independent doctor for a second opinion.
Your personal injury lawyer will advise you what to say and when to say it, or may act as your spokesperson so you can avoid discussing with the insurance company all together. Additionally, your personal injury lawyer will explain your rights and obligations as pertain to medical examinations. For example, during the preliminary buildup of the case you are not required to submit to an IME, unless it is required by your insurance policy and it is for YOUR insurance company, but, once at a trial, a judge can order an IME, but your personal injury lawyer will be able to express opinions on the choice of doctor.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Fights for You
Contracting an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to maintain your rights and interests during this chaotic time. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Peter Davis & Associates serve Paterson and the rest of New Jersey, working for you to get the compensation you deserve. Contact them today for a review of your case. Put experience on your side.
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I had a very positive experience with the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates. Nick Barrone handled my case, and I couldn’t be happier with the level of service I received. After my auto accident in Jersey City, NJ, I was dealing with ongoing back and neck pain and wasn’t sure what to expect from the legal process. Nick was professional, attentive, and always made sure I understood each step along the way. He took the time to answer my questions and genuinely cared about my situation. I felt supported throughout the entire process, which made a stressful situation much easier to handle. The firm worked diligently on my behalf and kept me informed the whole time. I truly appreciate their dedication and effort in helping me through this difficult experience. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and compassionate attorney.
I highly recommend Peter Davis & Associates. In particular, Mr. David Ventoso, Esq. did an excellent job helping and assisting me. Mr. Ventoso was knowledgeable, professional and responsive.
All the staff members at the firm took the time to explain every detail and step of the process; they answered all my questions and were always kind. Special thanks to Ms. Carolyn for doing an amazing job.
If you're looking for an attorney in NJ who is trustworthy and really cares, Peter Davis & Associates is an excellent choice.
I highly recommend the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis.
After I was rear-ended in a car accident and suffered injuries to my neck and back, they provided outstanding representation during a very difficult time in my life.
My attorney, Robert Russotti, and my case manager, Muminah Ramadan, were professional, compassionate, and attentive throughout the entire process. They helped me obtain the medical treatment I needed and were always available to answer my questions and address any concerns I had. Their diligence, communication, and dedication gave me peace of mind while I focused on my recovery.
I am truly grateful for the support and guidance they provided during my hardship. I would not hesitate to recommend the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis to my family and friends.
Thank you so much for your help.
I want to especially thank David Ventoso for always informing me what was going on with my case. He kept up with all my questions and answered every time I called him.
Awesome staff also
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Angela Selby
I had a great experience working with David Ventoso at the Law Offices of Peter N. Davis after my motor vehicle accident. I suffered injuries to my knee and lower back, and Mr. Ventoso along with Carolyn guided me through the entire process from start to finish.
They were always responsive to my questions and concerns, kept me informed, and made everything as stress-free as possible. They also referred me to receive the medical treatment I needed, which made a huge difference during my recovery.
Thanks to their hard work and dedication, I was very pleased with my compensation. I highly recommend this law firm to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney.
