Compensation Is Possible if an Injury Gets Worse Months Later
Not every injury reaches its full impact immediately after an accident. Sometimes, a person initially believes they are recovering, only to experience increasing pain, new symptoms, or a more serious diagnosis months later.
To build a strong claim, the connection between the original accident, the worsening condition, medical treatment, and resulting losses need to be established. Getting legal guidance from a seasoned Nashville personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later is important.
Herniated Discs May Become More Apparent Over Time
A herniated disc occurs when material from inside a spinal disc pushes through a weakened or damaged portion of the disc. Symptoms can include back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. These issues may become more noticeable over time, particularly as someone resumes normal activities.
If medical evidence connects a later diagnosis to the original accident, the condition is key to an injury claim. This can potentially affect damages associated with medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
Degenerative Aggravation Can Complicate a Claim
Another situation involves degenerative aggravation, meaning an accident may worsen an underlying condition that existed before the injury. For example, someone may have had age-related spinal changes without experiencing significant limitations before a crash. Afterward, they may develop substantial pain, require additional treatment, or experience limitations they did not previously have.
Determining whether an accident aggravated or accelerated a condition can require careful review of medical records, imaging, prior symptoms, and medical opinions.
Follow-Up Surgeries Can Change the Financial Picture
Some injuries ultimately require more extensive treatment than initially expected. A person may start with medication and physical therapy and later learn that surgery is necessary.
A follow-up surgery is a later procedure performed as part of treating the injury or complications associated with it. When a later procedure is medically connected to the original accident, its costs and consequences may need to be considered when evaluating the claim.
Potential losses may include:
- Additional medical bills and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Continuing pain and physical limitations
- Future medical treatment
- Changes to everyday activities and quality of life
One of the challenges with a worsening injury is determining what happens to the legal claim if the original case has already been evaluated, negotiated, or resolved. Tennessee generally imposes a one-year limitations period for personal injury actions, although exceptions and different rules can apply depending on the circumstances.
When a condition worsens in the weeks and months after an accident, do not assume that the opportunity for financial recovery has disappeared. Reach out to a Nashville personal injury lawyer as soon as you learn that your injury may require additional treatment. Early legal guidance can help protect your rights while the medical evidence is still developing.
How could a lawyer help you? Share where you are in your healing journey with the attorneys at Calhoun Law, PLC. Early legal guidance can help protect your rights while you move through each stage of your healing process. Schedule your confidential consultation today.