Understanding the Problem

If you are pursuing a North Carolina injury claim and you have been treating, what information should you give your lawyer about your symptoms and recovery when the firm is checking whether your treatment is finished?

Apply the Law

In North Carolina injury cases, your medical condition and treatment history are central to proving what you went through and what the injury cost you physically and financially. That means your lawyer needs accurate, timely information so they can (1) obtain the right medical records, (2) present a consistent timeline of symptoms and care, and (3) respond appropriately if the other side requests records or challenges gaps in treatment. North Carolina also recognizes medical privacy protections, but those protections can be limited or waived in litigation when your medical condition is at issue, and medical records are commonly obtained through authorizations, subpoenas, or court processes.

Key Requirements

• Symptom detail and changes: Describe what hurts, where it hurts, how often it happens, what triggers it, what helps, and how it has changed since the last update.
• Complete appointment timeline: Share the date, provider type (for example, urgent care, orthopedist, physical therapy), what happened at the visit, and your next scheduled visit.
• Diagnoses and recommendations: Tell your lawyer what you were diagnosed with, what treatment was recommended, and whether you started, declined, or delayed that treatment (and why).
• Restrictions and work impact: Report any written restrictions (no lifting, limited standing, no driving, reduced hours) and whether you are missing work or struggling to do your normal duties.
• Medications and side effects: List new medications, dosage changes, and side effects that affect daily life (sleep, concentration, nausea, fatigue).
• Objective milestones: Share measurable changes like range-of-motion improvements, ability to sit/stand longer, fewer headaches per week, or increased walking tolerance.
• End-of-treatment signals: Tell your lawyer if you were discharged from therapy, told to follow up “as needed,” given a maximum medical improvement/plateau statement, or referred for more testing or a procedure.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53 (Physician-patient communications) - Establishes medical confidentiality protections and explains that disclosure can be compelled in certain court/justice settings.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21 (Disclosure of medical information in certain situations) - Addresses when health care providers may disclose protected health information in specific contexts and ties disclosure to federal privacy rules.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the firm is following up because you have been receiving treatment connected to an injury claim and they need to know how you are doing and whether you are finished treating. The most helpful update is one that (1) matches what is in your medical records, (2) explains what has changed since the last check-in, and (3) identifies upcoming appointments or new recommendations so your lawyer can request the right records and keep the claim timeline accurate. If you have been discharged from care or told to return only if symptoms worsen, that is a key turning point you should report promptly.

Process & Timing

1. Who provides the update: You (the injured person). Where: Directly to your lawyer’s office in North Carolina (phone call, secure portal, or email if your lawyer approves). What: A written treatment/status update plus copies of any new work notes, discharge paperwork, or after-visit summaries you received. When: After each meaningful change (new provider, new diagnosis, new restrictions, discharge from therapy) and at least monthly while actively treating.
2. Next step: Your lawyer requests updated records and bills from the providers you identify and updates the claim file to reflect your current symptoms, limitations, and treatment plan. Timeframes vary by provider and county, and records requests often take days to weeks.
3. Final step: When treatment stabilizes or ends, your lawyer evaluates whether additional documentation is needed (for example, a final narrative, impairment rating if applicable, or clarification of restrictions) before moving settlement negotiations forward or preparing the case for litigation.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• If you minimize symptoms to your doctor but describe them as severe to your lawyer (or vice versa), the inconsistency can hurt credibility because the medical records usually carry significant weight.
• Gaps in treatment can become a dispute point. If you had a real reason (couldn’t get an appointment, transportation issues, insurance delays, work conflicts), tell your lawyer so the timeline makes sense.
• Not reporting a new provider (like urgent care, chiropractic care, counseling, or a new specialist) can lead to missing records and bills, which can slow the case and weaken proof of damages.
• Failing to share discharge paperwork or “return to work” notes can create confusion about whether you are still treating and what restrictions apply.
• Over-sharing on social media can conflict with your reported limitations. If you post about activities, assume it may be seen and discussed in the claim.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, you should keep your personal injury lawyer updated with specific symptom changes, every appointment and recommendation, and clear markers of whether you are improving or finished treating. These details help your lawyer gather complete medical records, present a consistent recovery timeline, and avoid delays caused by missing information. Next step: send your lawyer a brief written update listing your current symptoms, your last visit, and your next scheduled appointment (or your discharge date if treatment has ended).

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with an injury claim and ongoing medical treatment, a personal injury attorney can help you understand what information matters, how it affects your case timeline, and what to do when treatment changes or ends. Reach out today.

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.