After an accident, your doctor is your main point of contact for treatment and recovery. However, when you pursue a personal injury claim, there is a different type of medical professional who plays a crucial role: the independent medical expert. This is often an unfamiliar concept for clients, and it’s a step in the process that can seem intimidating. However, this expert is a vital part of your claim, and their report can be the difference between a low settlement and the full compensation you deserve.
At RG Jones Solicitors, we guide our clients through every step of this process, ensuring they understand the expert’s role and why their input is so critical to the success of their case.
Why an Independent Medical Expert Is Essential
An insurance company will not take your word alone for the extent of your injuries. While your GP’s notes are important, they focus on your treatment, not on the legal aspects of your claim. An independent medical expert’s report, however, serves two key purposes:
- To Medically Substantiate Your Claim: The expert will provide an objective, professional opinion on your injuries. They will assess the cause of your injuries, the severity, and how they have impacted your daily life. This report is seen as an unbiased source of information by all parties, including the insurance company and the court. It turns your personal account of pain and suffering into a formal piece of evidence.
- To Provide a Prognosis for Your Future: This is perhaps the most vital function of the report. The expert will give their opinion on your long-term prognosis. Will your injuries fully heal? Will they affect your ability to work in the future? Will you need ongoing physiotherapy, medication, or even surgery? A good report will detail all of these potential future costs and impacts. This information is essential for a solicitor to calculate the full value of your claim, ensuring that your settlement covers not just your past expenses but also your future needs.
What to Expect During Your Medical Examination
Your solicitor will arrange an appointment for you with a suitable medical expert. This will usually be a doctor who specialises in the type of injury you have, such as an orthopaedic surgeon for a bone injury or a neurologist for a head injury.
During the examination, the expert will:
- Ask about the accident: They will ask you to describe how the accident happened and the immediate symptoms you felt.
- Review Your Medical History: They will have access to your GP and hospital notes and will ask you questions about your treatment and recovery so far.
- Conduct a Physical Examination: The expert will physically examine you to assess your injuries, range of motion, and any other relevant symptoms.
- Discuss the Impact on Your Life: This is your chance to explain how the injuries have affected your daily life. It’s important to be honest and detailed, mentioning everything from your ability to work and engage in hobbies to the pain you feel when doing simple tasks like sleeping or getting dressed.
It’s important to be completely truthful during this examination. The expert is not there to treat you but to provide an accurate legal opinion. Hence, misleading them could severely harm your credibility and your case.
How RG Jones Solicitors Guides You Through the Process
The prospect of a medical examination can be stressful, but our team at RG Jones Solicitors will handle everything for you. We will:
- Arrange the Appointment: We will find a suitable, independent expert in your area and arrange the appointment at a time that works for you.
- Prepare You: We will tell you exactly what to expect from the examination and what information you should be prepared to share.
- Review the Report: Once we receive the report, we will review it carefully to ensure it accurately reflects your injuries and your future needs.
- Use the Report to Strengthen Your Claim: We will use the expert’s findings to negotiate with the insurance company, demonstrating the full extent of your damages, including future losses and a fair sum for your pain and suffering.
With our No Win, No Fee guarantee, you don’t have to worry about the cost of the medical report upfront. Know that we cover all these expenses as part of our commitment to you.
Overall, the expert’s report is an invaluable tool in securing a fair settlement, and with our expertise, you can rest assured that this crucial step is in the right hands.