If you’ve been wrongfully hurt and plan to file an injury lawsuit in New Jersey, you might be wondering what you should tell the doctor treating you. How much should they know? Should they know at all? Learning how to inform your doctor about a personal injury lawsuit without going into too much detail can ultimately help your case.

You should let your doctor know if you plan to file an injury lawsuit in New Jersey. That gives your doctor time to send all pertinent medical information over to your attorney. In some cases, your doctor may be asked to testify about your injuries should your case go to trial. Because your doctor may be involved in the case, it’s important to give them a head’s up and may stop them from asking prying questions about causation. However, discussing the details of your case with anyone, including your doctor, could put it in jeopardy.

The NJ personal injury lawyers at Legal Care New Jersey are here to help you file a lawsuit. Our experienced team can fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call (732) 838-9769.

What Should You Tell Your Doctor if You Plan to File an Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey?

First, if your attorney thinks your doctor will need to testify, it’s best to inform them beforehand. This will give your attorney time to help your doctor prepare. Additionally, personal injury cases usually require the plaintiff to produce medical records. You’ll need your doctor to hand over any pertinent files or documents regarding your injury.

Your upcoming lawsuit isn’t the only thing you should let your doctor know about. If you intend to sue, it’s important to give your doctor every detail about your injury. While being treated for your injury, you may come in contact with several different doctors or specialists. You might not have the same rapport as you do with your usual doctor, so it could be hard to communicate. However, it’s crucial to keep all of your doctors informed about the status of your injury.

Each time you see a professional, you should explain, in detail, how your injury is affecting you. Describe the pain level, the difficulties you experience, and anything else related to your injury. Keeping your doctors up to date during each visit can help your case. That’s because a doctor will make a note of what happens every time they see you. It’s important to be truthful and consistent when reporting your injury status to your doctor, as they might be called to testify during your lawsuit.

What Should You Not Tell Your Doctor if You Plan to File an Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Although it’s best to always be honest with your doctors, do not get into the details of your case. Discussing the particulars of a lawsuit and the cause of the injury with a medical professional should be left to your attorney. They’ll know how to navigate the situation properly without jeopardizing your case.

While your doctor may need to know about their possible involvement in your lawsuit, discussing the details of your case isn’t a good idea. Remember, everything you say to your doctor can be recorded in medical reports. When those reports are included in the lawsuit, the defendant’s lawyers can also access them. If this kind of information is part of your case – like in an injury lawsuit – doctor-patient privilege doesn’t protect that information. Additionally, information about the cause of your accident might not be strictly protected by privilege in the first place, even if your doctor doesn’t testify. That information isn’t technically necessary for medical treatment, so telling your doctor about it might hurt your case.

If your doctor is called to testify, they will have to be honest and truthful. So, if you contradicted the facts your Jersey City car accident lawyer has presented when speaking with your doctor, that can hurt your case and your trustworthiness. While you can notify your doctor about your upcoming lawsuit, the discussion of any legal matters should be done through your attorney.

How to Approach Doctor Visits if You Plan to File an Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey

Your doctor’s knowledge of your injury could take center stage during your lawsuit, so being honest and communicative with your doctor is can be important for the success of your case. Keeping a record of each visit can be helpful too.

Be Honest

If you’re dishonest with your doctor about anything regarding your injury, that could jeopardize your case. Your medical records will likely be made available to all parties involved in your lawsuit. If you’ve been dishonest with your doctor, it will be made known. Being honest is important not just for your case but for your health too. So, be truthful during your visits. It can only help your case.

Communicate

Communicating with your doctor is of the utmost importance. No detail about your condition is too small. Tell them about your pain levels and whether your injury has changed at all. Your doctor can only treat you if you let them know how you’re feeling. Always show up to appointments on time, too. Let the office know in advance if you can’t make a scheduled visit. Those little things can come up during a lawsuit. So, making an effort to communicate with your doctor is crucial.

Keep Records

You can keep your own records of appointments and request copies from your doctor’s office. Having a record of visits, medications, and bills can help prepare you for your case. Any information regarding your injury may wind up being important. It shows your commitment to the case and your desire to learn all there is to know about your injury.

Call Our Attorneys for Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

Legal Care New Jersey has experienced New Jersey injury attorneys that can fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Call (732) 838-9769 for a free consultation with our team.