How Does Physical Therapy Impact a Personal Injury Settlement?
After suffering injuries in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you might need to undergo physical therapy (PT). Physical therapy can be a critical component of recovering from a personal injury. Some of the main benefits of physical therapy include pain management, improved movement, avoiding surgery, improved balance, and recovery from injury or trauma. If you’ve suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence and are undergoing PT, you might be wondering how this will impact your personal injury settlement. So, how does physical therapy affect a personal injury settlement? Read on to find out the answer to this question.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a common treatment that can help individuals recover after an injury. PT can help improve movement, reduce pain, and restore functionality after an injury. PT can help speed up recovery. Medication and other treatments may address immediate pain, but PT focuses on long-term healing by treating the root cause of discomfort and dysfunction. Physical therapy improves movement, flexibility, and strength through the use of exercises, stretches, and manual therapy.
Common Injuries That Require Physical Therapy
Several types of injuries may require physical therapy. Usually, doctors recommend physical therapy for injuries that affect mobility, functionality, and strength. The following are some of the types of injuries that might require physical therapy;
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Hand injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprain and strains
It is crucial to note that medical professionals determine whether a patient needs physical therapy. Doctors conduct medical assessments and then decide on a patient’s specific rehabilitation needs, if they have any. The decision as to whether PT is necessary may be based on the nature and severity of the injury.
How Does Physical Therapy Impact a Personal Injury Settlement?
The cost of your medical care, including physical therapy, will add to the total amount of your personal injury settlement. Generally, attending physical therapy will increase your settlement. Physical therapy can come with significant costs, especially if needed for a long time. These costs can significantly increase the value of your personal injury settlement.
Physical therapy costs are considered part of the economic damages in a personal injury settlement, alongside other medical expenses, such as hospital bills, prescription medication, surgery costs, and diagnostic tests, and other damages, such as lost wages and property damage. Additionally, physical therapy can provide proof of the severity and ongoing nature of your injuries, supporting your claim for higher compensation. By demonstrating the extent of your injuries, PT can help support your claim for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages.
Proving Causation Between Your Injury and Physical Therapy Needs
To recover compensation through a settlement or trial, you must connect the need for PT directly to the injury-causing incident or accident. You must show a causal link between the incident or accident and subsequent treatment needs. One of the best ways to do this is by having the treating therapist provide a report detailing your injuries, the prescribed care, and how PT is necessary to recover.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you have questions or need help obtaining fair compensation, contact our skilled Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Fort Myers, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, Melbourne, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and Bradenton areas.
