If you are injured in a traffic-related accident, there are several questions you should ask your doctor. You want to share the answers with your New Orleans personal injury attorney to assist with your accident claim.
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What is the treatment plan for my injuries?
There could be one or more treatment options for your injuries. You should discuss all options with your physician, including the benefits and risks associated with each treatment plan. You should also ask why your doctor recommends one treatment plan over another treatment plan. A good question to ask is if the doctor would agree to this treatment plan if a member of his family were facing this decision.
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When can I go back to work?
This is a very important question. It is understandable that you want to get back to work as quickly as possible. However, you do not want to jeopardize your health by returning to work before your doctor releases you. Furthermore, returning to work before your doctor states that it is safe can jeopardize your accident claim. The insurance company could claim that you made your injuries worse by not following doctor’s orders.
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Will I require physical therapy or rehabilitative therapy?
Therapy is an important part of your recovery. You can recover compensation for the cost of therapy and your time off work for therapy. Depending on the severity of your injuries, therapy could take a few weeks or a few months.
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Will I have limitations during recovery?
Again, you want to follow your doctor’s orders exactly as he explains them to you. Deviating from doctor’s orders can result in harm to your health and your accident claim. If your doctor tells you that you should not perform certain tasks, you need to avoid those tasks even if you feel well enough to perform them until your doctor gives you the okay.
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What is my prognosis?
This is a very important element of your personal injury claim. If your doctor determines that you will suffer a permanent disability because of your injuries, you can recover compensation for the permanent injury. You may also recover compensation for the cost of future medical care, personal care, and lost wages. You do not want to settle a claim until you have a prognosis because it can impact the value of your claim.
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Do you work with personal injury attorneys?
It helps if your doctor has worked with attorneys in the past because he knows what to expect and what information needs to be supplied to our office for your claim. However, it is not a necessary requirement. It is just good information to have early in the case so we can work closely with your physician to obtain the records and statements we need for your claim.
Call a New Orleans Accident Attorney for Help
If you have been injured in a traffic-related accident, we want to help you recover compensation from the negligent driver who caused the crash. Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans accident attorney.