What Does Medically Stationary Mean for My Personal Injury Case?

Car accidents are scary events that our friends, neighbors, and family members sometimes face, but they can be made even more terrifying when medical injuries occur. Whether you are struggling with medical bills after a car accident or perhaps trying to figure out the best way to deal with the opposing insurance company, you need the guidance and expertise of a Portland personal injury lawyer. He or she will advise you that in personal injury cases, it is better to avoid settling the case until the victim becomes medically stationary.

In a personal injury case you are likely to hear many legal terms tossed around. One such term is “medically stationary.”  But what does medically stationary mean, and how does it affect you? Beaverton personal injury lawyers will tell you that being medically stationary means that your condition is expected to remain the same, and that medical treatment and time are unlikely to improve your condition. After a physician determines that you, or the victim of the car accident, are medically stationary, the insurance company will close your claim. In certain cases, prescriptions and limited medical services are still provided for a short time.

Hiring a Portland personal injury lawyer to handle your case is the best way to ensure you receive the care you need for as long as you need it, and that the responsible parties pay up. How? When you hire a lawyer to represent you, we effectively become your spokesperson. We take over the difficult and often frustrating task of communicating with the insurance companies, so you can focus on recuperating. We send them the necessary information and required legal documents informing them that we now represent you. In effect, we tell them that if they have any questions, they need to come to us first.

The next step is to investigate if necessary: we investigate the accident, figure out who was at fault, and speak to specialists and experts. We also ensure your doctors are giving you the care you need. Our goal is to help you get healthy, and to have the doctors recognize that you’re better and declare you medically stationary. After this declaration from your medical specialists, we can proceed with the next part of the personal injury case: sending a demand letter.

A demand letter is a detailed letter or account of facts that we submit to the insurance company representing the responsible party or parties. It includes all the necessary information we gathered from our investigation plus data about your injuries and medical recovery. This letter explains to the insurance company that they are responsible for monetarily recompensing you for the damages you suffered, unless they wish to go to trial. Negotiations begin after the letter is sent, and sometimes a trial is necessary. Reasons for trial differ but can include disputed facts, a Portland wrongful death case, or perhaps even disputes over monetary reimbursement. The average length of time for a case varies depending on whether the case is settled or goes to trial; a Portland wrongful death claim will typically take longer to adjudicate than a basic settlement at the demand stage.

After settlement or the conclusion of the trial the insurer will close the claim, and issue a Notice of Closure. If you are awarded monetary damages, the insurance will usually begin payment within 30 days.

If you have been in an accident, need legal advice before speaking with your insurance, or you wish to file a claim, contact Paul Galm Law today!