Short Answer

In most North Carolina injury cases, your treatment is “complete” when your treating medical provider has finished active care and either (1) releases you from care, or (2) says you have reached a stable point where more treatment is not expected to materially improve your condition (often called “maximum medical improvement”). Even then, you may still have follow-up care, maintenance care, or future treatment needs. The practical goal is to know your final diagnosis, restrictions, prognosis, and expected future care before you resolve the claim.

Understanding the Problem

If you are pursuing a North Carolina personal injury claim and you are still seeing providers, a key question is: has your doctor finished active treatment for this injury so your case can be evaluated and possibly resolved? In your situation, one important fact is that you are currently receiving treatment related to the injury claim, and your law firm is checking whether you are done treating.

Apply the Law

North Carolina personal injury law generally allows an injured person to seek compensation for reasonable medical expenses caused by the incident, along with other damages. Because medical damages often depend on what care you needed (and may still need), lawyers and insurance adjusters usually look for a clear medical “end point” before valuing the claim. That end point is commonly shown by a discharge from care, a final visit note, or a provider’s statement that you have reached a stable condition where additional treatment is not expected to significantly change the outcome (often referred to as maximum medical improvement).

Separately, North Carolina law also recognizes that medical bills related to an injury can create lien issues that must be addressed when a case resolves, which is another reason your firm asks for a treatment update and collects final records and billing.

Key Requirements

• Clear provider status: A medical note showing you were discharged, released to “follow up as needed,” or placed on a long-term plan rather than active treatment.
• Stability of condition (often “MMI”): Your provider indicates your condition has plateaued and further treatment is mainly maintenance, monitoring, or symptom control.
• Final diagnosis and prognosis: The records identify what the injury is, how it is expected to heal, and whether symptoms are likely to persist.
• Work/activity restrictions (if any): Any permanent or ongoing restrictions are documented so the claim can be evaluated consistently.
• Future care plan: If future treatment is likely (for example, periodic injections, therapy “tune-ups,” or possible surgery), it should be documented before settlement discussions.
• Complete records and itemized bills: Your firm typically needs final records and billing to prove medical damages and to address any lien claims tied to the recovery.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider liens on personal injury recoveries) - Creates a lien framework for certain medical-related charges connected to the injury that may have to be addressed when a case resolves.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you are still receiving treatment, your case may not yet have the clean “end point” insurers often want to see (like a discharge note or a statement that you have reached a stable condition). Your firm’s request that you provide a treatment update by phone or text is a practical step to confirm whether you are still in active care, whether you have upcoming appointments, and whether your provider has discussed a release from care or a stable long-term plan. Once treatment is complete (or stable), your firm can more confidently gather final records and bills and evaluate whether future care needs should be included in the claim.

Process & Timing

1. Who provides the update: You (the injured client). Where: To your attorney’s office by phone or text. What: The name of the provider(s), your last visit date, your next scheduled visit (if any), and whether you were discharged or told you reached a stable point. When: As soon as requested, especially before a demand package or settlement talks begin.
2. Records and billing collection: Your attorney requests the most recent medical records and itemized bills from each provider and checks whether additional treatment is scheduled that would change the totals or the medical opinions.
3. “Treatment complete” confirmation: Your attorney looks for a final office note (or similar documentation) showing discharge, a stable status, restrictions, and any future care recommendations, then uses that information to evaluate and negotiate the claim.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• “Follow up as needed” can be misunderstood: Some providers write this when active treatment is done, but it can also mean you may need more care if symptoms flare. Ask what it means for your specific condition.
• Gaps in treatment: Long gaps can be used to argue you were better, that something else caused later symptoms, or that care was not necessary. If you stop going, document why and communicate with your attorney.
• Future care not documented: If you settle before your provider documents likely future treatment, it can be harder to justify future medical needs in negotiations.
• Multiple providers and referrals: You may be “done” with one provider (like urgent care) but still actively treating with another (like orthopedics or physical therapy). Your case status depends on the whole treatment picture.
• Medical liens and billing issues: If medical bills are outstanding, lien questions may affect settlement distribution and timing under North Carolina’s lien rules.

Conclusion

In North Carolina injury cases, medical treatment is usually considered “complete” when your provider ends active care and releases you from treatment or states you have reached a stable point where more treatment is not expected to materially improve your condition. That status matters because it helps lock in your diagnosis, restrictions, prognosis, and any future care plan before settlement talks. Next step: send your attorney a treatment update (last visit, next visit, and whether you were discharged) so the firm can request the right final records and bills.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re dealing with an injury claim and you’re not sure whether you’re done treating (or whether you should wait for a final evaluation), our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Reach out today. Call [CONTACT NUMBER].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.