Types of Injuries, Diagnosis, and Treatment in California
Understanding the personal injury you suffered at the hands of another starts with understanding your diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment can begin. Medical treatment, of course, is the most critical part of any personal injury case. So, you need the diagnosis to be quick and accurate to begin prompt and appropriate treatment.
We recognize the importance of personal injury diagnoses and subsequent medical treatment. Below is an overview of what you should know about the types of injuries, diagnoses and medical treatment and how it can impact your personal injury claim in Los Angeles. If you have more specific questions or want to find an experienced personal injury lawyer, contact us today. We’ll help you find an L.A.-based attorney who understands your needs and is committed to your case.
The Most Common Types of Bodily Injuries Sustained in California
Depending on the type of the accident or wrongdoings of others, here are the main types of injuries people typically sustain in California:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries & paralysis
- Physical impairment or disability
- Injuries to extremities
- Amputation & dismemberment
- Fractured or broken bones
- Cuts, lacerations, bruises, internal organ damage
- Animal attacks & dog bites
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Fire & burn injuries
- Serious, catastrophic injuries
- Birth injuries
- Delayed injuries
- Wrongful death.
Understanding the Diagnosis of a Personal Injury in Los Angeles
Diagnosis involves a medical professional examining a patient and evaluating diagnostic criteria to identify a condition, injury, or disease. Diagnostic criteria can include signs, symptoms, and sometimes test results. When the diagnosis isn’t clear, the medical provider will provide an opinion based on the evaluation.
Types of Diagnostic Testing
There are three basic types of diagnostic testing a medical provider can use to identify a diagnosis.
- Clinical tests, which is a diagnosis determined by medical symptoms and signs presented by a patient––in other words, a diagnosis based on a physical examination. For example, if a neglected elderly person presents stage IV bedsores, the doctor can determine the same by evaluating the sores for skin damages, necrosis, and infection; diagnostic testing may not be necessary.
- Laboratory tests, which involve a diagnosis based on lab tests and the results or reports of those lab tests. For example, a doctor who suspects you may have mesothelioma based on a physical evaluation and knowledge that the patient had been exposed significantly to asbestos may require lab tests to examine blood for certain biomarkers––the existence of which could mean mesothelioma.
- Radiology tests, which include medical imaging, like magnetic resonating imaging (MRI), CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, and other similar equipment to diagnose a condition, disease, or injury. For example, if you are in an auto accident and sustain broken bones, an X-ray and/or MRI can help determine which bones and to what extent the damage is.
A combination of diagnostic testing may be required because symptoms and signs vary from person to person and many symptoms and signs are the same for many different conditions, diseases, or injuries. As such, there are different types of diagnoses and, depending on the circumstances of your situation, these different types may prove important to your case.
Types of Diagnoses
There are four basic types of diagnoses. You may wonder why, but in large part, it’s either because of the number of possibilities or the complexity of the condition, injury, or disease.
- Principal diagnosis, which refers to the one condition, disease, or injury most relevant to the patient’s complaint;
- Admitting diagnosis, which refers to the disease, condition, or injury that was the reason for admission to a medical facility, but it may not be the actual health issue;
- Discharge diagnosis, which refers to a patient who was admitted to the hospital––the discharge diagnosis is the diagnosis on file at the time of the patient’s release; and
- Differential diagnosis, which refers to all the possible conditions, diseases, or injuries that may be the cause of a patient’s symptoms, and each one is seriously considered until proven false.
There are also more specific types of diagnoses, like:
- Diagnosis of exclusion, which means a medical issue cannot be determined with complete confidence;
- Dual diagnosis, where there are two related but not the same medical conditions exist;
- Prenatal diagnosis, which refers to diagnoses made during pregnancy.
You can imagine that when a diagnosis is clear, the personal injury claim process will be much smoother. On the other hand, when there’s some confusion about the diagnosis, this opens up room for the defendant to manipulate the situation and argue against a settlement or argue for reducing it. Not only that but if you don’t have the right diagnosis, then the medical treatment provided to you may not be applicable.
Diagnosis & Prognosis
Getting the diagnosis right is also important to prognosis, and prognosis is often an important component of a personal injury claim. Prognosis refers to a medical prediction (based on the patient’s medical history, current health, and the diagnosed condition, disease, or injury) on how a person’s medical condition will proceed. For example, the prognosis may establish:
- How likely the injury is to worsen or get better or remain the same over time;
- What the expected quality of life will be (e.g., if the patient will be able to conduct day to day activities);
- Whether complications are likely to develop; and, among other things,
- How the diagnosis will affect the patient.
The value of non-economic damages often depends in part on the complainant’s prognosis. Prognosis is often dependent on the efficacy and outcome of the medical treatment.
Common Questions about Personal Injuries & Medical Treatment in Los Angeles
Understanding the extent and nature of the injuries you have suffered, and the medical treatment you need after sustaining those injuries is important because it’s what can make the difference in your recovery. Many victims of compensable personal injuries tend to have questions about treatment and reimbursement or compensation for the same. Below, we answer some of the more common questions.
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What types of medical treatment are there?
Three fundamental types of medical treatment exist to help people fighting an illness, health condition, or injury. These are:
1. Curative where the intention is to cure the patient of whatever medical condition she or he has;
2. Palliative where the goal is to relieve the symptoms of the medical condition; and
3. Preventative where an attempt is made to prevent the onset of a medical condition.
Under these three classifications, many medical treatments could be used: it all depends on what the medical issue is. Examples include:
- Chiropractic care
- Pain management
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Surgery, like radiology, endoscopy, and phototherapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medication
- Lifestyle changes, including diet and habits
- Observation (where you are monitored by a medical professional)
- Speech therapy
- Psychiatry
- Physiotherapy
- Follow-ups with the doctor.
There are also complementary and/or non-conventional medical treatments that could be applicable, like:
- Aqua therapy
- Acupuncture
- Energy therapy
- Balneotherapy
- Mind-body interventions
- Homeopathy
- Supplements
- Detoxification.
In terms of personal injuries caused by another person or entity, you could potentially require any of the above medical treatment. Whatever the case may be, you should always follow the medial care plan provided to you by your medical provider only.
What if I don’t have health insurance that will cover the medical treatment I need?
If you don’t have health insurance that will cover the costs of your medical treatment, treatment can be provided on a lien basis. That means the medical provider agrees to treat you with the understanding they’ll be paid later––typically through a settlement or verdict award. Some doctors will not work on a lien-basis but most will. An experienced personal injury attorney will have a network of doctors who will provide the medical services you require on a lien basis.
And finally, you can read more about Medical Bills & Liens in Personal Injury Cases on another page specifically dedicated to this topic on this site.
Can I change doctors?
If you are unsatisfied with your doctor, you can change doctors. But you will want to speak to your attorney first, because it can have an impact on your legal case. You will want to be sure there is no gap in between medical treatment or the medical providers properly cooperate with each other and exchange necessary documentation regarding your case. Also, you may look for doctors who provide medical services on a lien basis since some may require advance payments. There could be other reasons, too, for concern when changing doctors, like the overlap of medical treatment and bills.
What if there are gaps in between medical treatments?
As stressed already, if you have a medical treatment plan, you need to follow it. If you want it changed, speak to your doctor and/or your attorney. If you stop it, not only is it potentially bad for your health, but it could create gaps in treatment. Gaps in treatment can also be caused by other reasons, some legitimate and others maybe not.
The problem with gaps in medical treatment is the same as the problem with stopping your medical care plan: the at-fault party will have space to challenge your injury and will try to avoid or reduce the value of any settlement. It will have a direct impact on the amount of pain and suffering you receive. The facts will matter a great deal in this type of situation, and you’ll need a good attorney who is persuasive and persistent.
Are there time limits on the duration of medical treatment?
There are no time limits on medical treatment. The goal of medical treatment is to get you back to where you were or to the extent that it’s possible. In California, too, the general rule regarding the duration of medical treatment is this: the longer the treatment, the more compensation you may generally receive in pain and suffering. That doesn’t mean you want to prolong any treatment, because only what’s reasonable is compensable. It does mean, however, that you don’t have to feel rushed but should focus on your recovery.
What treatments are not compensable in personal injury claims?
All conventional treatments, if reasonable and in accordance with medical standards, are compensable. The problem arises when a personal injury victim is:
1. treated with unnecessary medical treatment; or
2. uses non-conventional medical therapies.
It’s not common for most personal injury victims to receive unnecessary treatment, but it does happen. In these situations, the facts are important because it can help determine if there was a valid reason or the treatment initially even though it turned out the treatment wasn’t necessary in the end. As for non-conventional treatment, most of these, as listed above, are not compensable. That means you can get, for example, acupressure treatment, but you need to keep in mind that you will likely not be compensated for the costs of it.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles
If you have been injured and it was caused by another person or entity’s fault, then you are likely entitled to compensation. You are also entitled to taking advantage of most treatments that will help you get better. We care about your health and your recovery first. We also care that you get the just and fair compensation for the expenses and pain and suffering you experience. Because of this, we have partnered with some of the best, most talented, and committed personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys throughout Los Angeles.
Contact us if you want to hire an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who is committed to your case and your recovery.
