You may understandably be shaken up after unexpectedly entering a personal injury accident (i.e., car accident, slip and fall, or otherwise). But after collecting yourself and examining your body, you may not even find a visible scratch to address. With this, you may wonder whether you really need to go to the hospital, dealing with all that paperwork and subsequent bill as a consequence. Well, you may not want to hear it, but we assure you that seeking medical treatment is critical. With that being said, please read on to discover why you should go to the hospital after your accident, regardless of how hurt you think you got, and how a seasoned New York City personal injury attorney at Mark L. Bodner, P.C., can step in if your condition gets unnecessarily worse in the hands of hospital staff.
Should I go to the hospital after my accident, even if I don’t feel seriously injured?
To specify, going to the hospital after an accident is deemed essential for two reasons. For one, it is important for your physical health. That is, even if you do not feel seriously injured, your initial adrenaline and shock may be masking your pain. What’s more, symptoms may rise to the surface days, weeks, or even months later, especially for injuries commonly associated with personal injury accidents like concussions, whiplash, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries. Instead, a medical professional may detect these injuries with advanced medical equipment and examinations, and treat them before they worsen or become incurable.
Secondly, a hospital visit may help to protect your legal rights. That is, this is indispensable proof should you want to pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent party in the future. Specifically, hospital records can establish a concrete timeline and connect the accident event to your incurred injuries. One step further, they may showcase your attending medical professional’s treatment recommendations, which gives more detail on how long your healing journey is going to take and how much it will cost you. Do not worry about your initial medical bills at this time, as your legal representative may fight to get these compensated in a successful case settlement or final judgment.
What happens if the hospital staff’s negligence causes my injuries to get worse?
It is devastating if you suffer additional harm after your personal injury accident because of medical errors or hospital negligence. This is completely unacceptable, as hospital staff owes you a duty of care in treating you to the standards upheld by the medical community. Therefore, if your existing injuries worsen or you experience new health complications, you may have a separate legal claim on your hands. That is, a personal injury claim against the party liable for your accident, and then a medical malpractice claim against the negligent hospital. Rest assured, your legal representative may help you coordinate these and avoid conflicting evidence or claiming duplicate damages, among other factors.
So, if you wish to gain more clarity on the situation you are dealing with, the best way to get it is by consulting with a competent New York City hospital negligence attorney. Get in touch with our team at Mark L. Bodner, P.C., today.