Short Answer

In North Carolina, you should tell your personal injury lawyer as soon as you know your treatment plan has changed (or is about to change), even if the change seems minor. Treatment changes can affect how your injuries are documented, how your medical records read, and how your damages are evaluated. If your firm asked you to update them after an appointment, do it promptly after that visit—and also give a heads-up beforehand if you expect treatment may end or be reduced.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina, if you are the injured person in a personal injury case and your medical provider is about to decide at an upcoming appointment whether your reduced treatment schedule should continue or end, you may wonder: Do I wait until the appointment is over, or do I tell my lawyer now that the plan might change? With your firm already asking for an update afterward, the key issue is timing—when your lawyer needs the information to protect your claim and keep your case on track.

Apply the Law

In a North Carolina personal injury claim, your medical treatment is closely tied to proof of injury and damages. Your lawyer also has professional duties to communicate with you and to make informed decisions about the case, which depends on receiving timely updates from you. Separately, North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, so treatment developments can matter when your lawyer is planning records requests, settlement discussions, and (if needed) filing suit before the deadline.

Key Requirements

• Tell your lawyer promptly when treatment changes: Changes like discharge, reduced frequency, new referrals, missed visits, or a switch in providers can affect how the case is valued and explained.
• Keep the medical timeline accurate: Your lawyer needs the “why” behind changes (for example, provider-directed discharge versus scheduling or cost issues) so the records and your explanation match.
• Protect the documentation of your injuries: Treatment decisions often trigger new notes (progress reports, discharge summaries, work restrictions) that become key evidence.
• Avoid preventable gaps and confusion: Long gaps in care can be used by the defense to argue you were not seriously hurt or that something else caused later symptoms.
• Help your lawyer plan next steps: Treatment status affects when your lawyer may request records, evaluate future care needs, and decide whether it is too early to negotiate.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Three years; includes personal injury accrual rule) - Sets a three-year limitations period for many civil actions and includes the general accrual rule for personal injury claims.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-299.1 (Contributory negligence as a defense in State Tort Claims) - Shows how negligence defenses can matter in certain claims; defenses and proof issues can make consistent treatment documentation important.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You are already treating on a reduced schedule, and you have an upcoming appointment where the provider may decide to continue or end treatment. Because that appointment can generate a progress note or discharge plan that affects the medical “story” of your case, your lawyer should hear from you promptly after the visit, as requested. If you have reason to believe the provider may stop treatment (or change it significantly), giving your lawyer a brief heads-up before the appointment can also help them tell you what details to ask the provider about and what documents to request.

Process & Timing

1. Who updates: The client. Where: Directly to your lawyer or the firm’s designated case contact in North Carolina. What: A short message stating what changed (frequency, discharge, new referral, new restrictions) and the date it changed. When: The same day you learn of the change, or no later than 24–48 hours after the appointment when the provider makes the decision.
2. Next step: The firm may ask you to sign an updated medical authorization (if needed) and may request the new progress note/discharge summary. Timeframes vary by provider; some records arrive in days, others take weeks.
3. Final step: Once the firm has the updated records, your lawyer can reassess case timing (for example, whether it is too early to negotiate or whether more treatment documentation is needed) and plan the next demand/negotiation or litigation step.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Provider-directed discharge versus “life happened” gaps: If your provider ends care because you reached maximum improvement, that is different from stopping because of scheduling, cost, or transportation. Tell your lawyer which one it is so the records and explanation line up.
• Missed appointments and “no-show” notes: A chart that reflects repeated missed visits can be used to question your credibility or the seriousness of your symptoms. If you miss an appointment, tell your lawyer and reschedule promptly if appropriate.
• Changing providers without a clear reason: Switching providers can be reasonable, but it can also create record gaps. If you change providers, give your lawyer the new provider’s name, contact information, and first appointment date so records can be requested.
• New symptoms or worsening pain after discharge: If symptoms return after treatment ends, tell your lawyer right away and follow medical advice. Waiting weeks or months can make causation harder to explain.

Conclusion

You should tell your North Carolina personal injury lawyer about a treatment plan change as soon as you know it is happening, and at the latest within 24–48 hours after the appointment where your provider decides to continue or end care. Treatment changes affect your medical documentation and case planning, and your lawyer must also keep the case moving within North Carolina’s three-year filing deadline. Next step: send your lawyer a written update right after your upcoming appointment.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a personal injury claim and your medical treatment schedule is changing, an experienced attorney can help you understand how those changes may affect the documentation and timing of your case. Reach out today to discuss your options and deadlines. 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.