If you are involved in a personal injury accident, an insurance adjuster is going to approach you at some point and ask you to sign a medical release form. Although the request sounds innocuous enough, consenting can actually be highly problematic. Signing the release form could affect your ability to seek financial compensation from the negligent party. It is also a serious invasion of your privacy.
Will refusing to sign a medical release form hurt my personal injury case?
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can answer any questions you may have regarding medical release forms and their potential impact on your personal injury lawsuit. Our team of Virginia personal injury lawyers can analyze your case along with any requests submitted by an insurance adjuster, including the signing of a medical release form, and advise you on the best course of action that will not infringe on your rights.
What Is a Medical Release?
After a serious accident, a representative from the insurance company might ask you to sign a medical release form after you submit your claim. Signing the release means that you agree to supply the insurance company with limited or complete access to your medical records.
For instance, you might be involved in a traffic collision and need medical attention. In this scenario, your auto insurance company might ask you to sign a medical release form so you can receive a payout for your hospital bills. In some cases, the adjuster will want you to sign a release that gives them open access to your complete medical history.
If the adjustor discovers any information that contradicts your claim, they can and will deny it, leaving you without the damages you are actually entitled to. If you are involved in a car accident or any other type of accident that necessitates an insurance claim, you should work with an experienced personal injury attorney. With their help, you can successfully pursue compensatory damages from the person or persons responsible for your injuries and other damages,
Do I Have to Sign a Medical Release Form?
Whether or not you release your medical history to the insurance company or anyone else is entirely up to you. Even if the adjuster makes it sound as though signing the release is not an option, it very much is. If the insurance adjustor tries to bully or threaten you into signing, it is time to seek legal representation.
A qualified personal injury lawyer will be able to review the claim for which you are requesting damages. If another person caused your injury, you can pursue financial compensation from them or from their insurer. Either way, your lawyer can assist you in navigating the complex process of filing a claim.
What Happens if I Refuse to Sign?
There is no legal penalty for refusing to sign a medical release form. In fact, refusing to sign should have no short-term impacts. It can, however, delay the process of receiving your compensation.
A Virginia personal injury attorney might urge you not to sign the release under any circumstances, and explain why refusing to do so is in your best interests. Once you have declined, you can expect the insurance adjuster to continue to ask. Luckily, an experienced lawyer can help you circumvent these kinds of problems as you navigate the civil claims process.
Do You Need a Virginia Beach Personal Injury Attorney?
If you were harmed in a personal injury accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is prepared to walk you through the claims process. Even the most basic of personal injury claims can be challenging. Schedule a free case review with our Virginia Beach traffic accident attorneys by calling (833) 997-1774 or reaching out through our website.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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