When involved in an incident to another person’s negligence, whether it’s a slip-and-fall in a store or a car crash, you may take the steps necessary to report the incident. However, if you do not seek medical attention, it may impact your ability to recover compensation later down the line. As such, it’s essential to ensure you request treatment or see a doctor as soon as possible after a crash or premises liability incident. The following blog explores why someone may deny medical care and how a Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer can help if you’ve made a misstep following an injury.
Why Might Someone Deny Medical Care After an Injury?
Though it may not seem reasonable to deny medical care following a car crash or slip-and-fall, there are many reasons why someone would refuse care.
It’s no secret that medical care can be extremely expensive. As such, someone injured may refuse to be seen by emergency medical technicians for fear they will be taken to a hospital where they cannot afford the bills they would receive. Similarly, they may not see a doctor on their own because they do not have insurance or cannot afford the copay for their visit.
Another reason someone may refuse treatment is because they don’t feel like they have injuries that warrant care. However, some injuries may not present themselves until a few days later, and delaying care can have negative consequences.
Is It Possible to Still Seek Compensation?
If you denied medical attention at the scene of your incident or did not see your own physician shortly after, you can still pursue compensation for the injuries you’ve endured. However, this can impact your ability to win the case against you.
You may find that your case could be dismissed or lost because the defense argues the injuries you endured were not severe enough to warrant medical attention.
It’s also important to note that Texas is a comparative negligence state. Essentially, if you are found 51% or more responsible for the injuries you’ve endured, you will be unable to recover compensation. If you are found partially responsible, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility in the incident. In the event you do not seek treatment, the defense may be able to illustrate that you did not mitigate damages by receiving treatment, making you responsible for the severity of your injuries.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
If you initially denied medical attention for the injuries you sustained in an incident, it’s imperative to do everything possible to improve your chances of receiving compensation from the negligent party. As such, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They will examine the circumstances of your case and do everything in their power to help you recover compensation for the injuries you’ve endured.
At the Mathis Law Firm, we understand how anxiety-inducing pursuing compensation can be. As such, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you through these challenging times. Contact our firm today to learn how we can assist you during these complex times.
