How a Specialist Can Help Your Claim

When to Seek a Specialist for Medical Treatment: SSD and Personal Injury

Whether you are going through the Social Security Disability process or pursuing a personal injury claim, medical treatment is key to building a successful case.

Social Security Disability Benefits

To be awarded SSD benefits, an individual must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) strict definition of disability and be unable to work for a minimum of 12 months.

It is important for applicants to work with their doctors and follow all medical treatment plans. This will show the SSA that you are trying to improve your condition.

Medical records are the main pieces of evidence the SSA looks at when making a decision on your SSD claim.  The SSA wants to see that you have sought treatment for your conditions. If you fail to follow through with medical treatment, the SSA might view your disability as not as limiting as you say it is.

If your family doctor thinks that a specialist should see you, then you should see the specialist and follow through with whatever the specialist says.

Specialists have more training in a specific field. In return, judges tend to very interested in what their reports have to say. 

Once you speak with a specialist, it is important for you to follow their treatment plan and stay in consistent treatment.

When you fail to follow a treatment plan, Social Security may view that as you not trying to get well and feel you can go back to working.

If you are suffering from a disability and can no longer work, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits right away. The disability process can take a long time. It is important that you apply as soon as you feel you cannot work due to your disability. 

Personal Injury Cases:

One of the most important things accident victims can do during their personal injury case, is to continue with their medical treatment.

It is important to seek medical treatment right after an accident, otherwise insurance companies can deny that your injuries were caused from the accident.

It is also important to continue this treatment for your attorney to build you the strongest case possible.

Seeing not only your primary care doctor but also a specialist can be very beneficial to your claim.

A specialist is a doctor who can provide healthcare for a specific disease or injury of the body.

Typically, you will need a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.

Because a specialist focuses in an area that requires extensive knowledge, their documentation is very valuable in a personal injury case.

If your doctor advises you to see a specialist, it is important to follow their orders.

Stopping treatment or failing to follow doctors’ orders could result in a lower settlement offer.

The at-fault’s insurance company can argue that if you are not seeking treatment, your injuries are fully healed and therefore, you cannot add any more medical costs or damages to your existing claim.

Following a doctor’s orders is not only essential to your wellbeing but it also shows the insurance company the severity of your injuries.

If you were injured in an accident and have questions, contact the personal injury attorneys at Berger and Green.

Getting Help with a Disability or Injury.

If you have been injured in an accident or need help getting disability benefits, contact our firm today.

Call our attorneys at Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 for a free no obligation consultation to discuss your claim for disability benefits or to pursue a personal injury claim.