Why Treatment Timing and Documentation Matter
Settlement value usually depends on what you can prove. Your medical records help show (1) what injuries you had, (2) when symptoms started, (3) what treatment was needed, and (4) what the likely future looks like. If you settle before the picture is clear, you risk settling based on incomplete information—especially if you later need additional visits, testing, or a different treatment plan.
Insurers also tend to scrutinize the timeline. Consistent, well-documented care often makes it easier to connect your symptoms to the incident and to explain why the treatment was reasonable.
Common Scenarios and What They Often Mean
- ER-only care: If someone goes once and never follows up, the insurer may argue the injury was minor or resolved quickly. Follow-up records (when appropriate) can help show whether symptoms continued and why.
- Gaps in care: Gaps can create questions like, “Were you really still hurt?” Sometimes the gap has an innocent explanation (couldn’t get an appointment, work conflicts, symptoms improved then returned). Clear documentation helps reduce confusion.
- “Done with treatment” / plan changes: If your provider changes the plan (for example, conservative care first, then additional evaluation if symptoms persist), that can change the claim’s value and timing. Settling too early can lock you into a number before you know whether the plan worked.
Practical Documentation Tips (Non‑Medical)
- Keep a simple timeline: appointment dates, work restrictions (if any), and how your symptoms affect daily activities.
- Save visit summaries, work notes, and bills you receive. If you miss an appointment or have a treatment gap, write down the practical reason while it is fresh.
- As treatment continues, send updated records/bills and wage-loss proof to the insurer (or have your attorney do it). Claims often evolve, and updates can matter.
- Be consistent in what you report. Overstating or minimizing symptoms in writing can create credibility issues later.
How This Applies
Apply to your situation: Because you have one remaining appointment and you are still treating, it often makes sense to wait until that visit happens and you know what the provider recommends next (release from care, more treatment, or further evaluation). In the meantime, you can keep the claim moving by gathering your current records and bills, documenting any missed work, and providing a clear update after the final appointment so negotiations are based on the most complete information available.
What the Statutes Say (Optional)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Civil actions; three years) – Sets a three-year limitations period that commonly applies to personal injury claims.
Conclusion
Most of the time, settling after treatment is essentially complete helps avoid underestimating future care needs and makes your documentation cleaner. With one appointment left, you are close to having a clearer “end point” for records, bills, and any ongoing symptoms. Your next step is to get that final visit documented and then organize your updated records and losses so any settlement talks are based on the full, current picture.
