How Signing a Medical Release Can Impact Your Sandusky Personal Injury Claim
When personal injuries happen in Sandusky, insurance adjusters often contact victims within a day to get them to sign a medical release form. They may make it sound like a routine step, but signing it can jeopardize your rights in a claim.
Our experienced Sandusky personal injury lawyers explain how insurers use medical releases against you and how to protect yourself.
Sandusky Personal Injury Claims: What Can Go Wrong Medical Releases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that unintentional personal injuries are a leading cause of emergency room visits nationwide. Ohio’s risks are higher than average, and leading causes include car crashes, falls, being struck by objects, and animal bites.
In most cases, the at-fault party has insurance that can help cover your costs, or your own policy may pay. One of the first things they’ll likely request is a medical release, authorizing them to access your health records. Be aware of how they can use it against you in a Sandusky personal injury claim:
- Signing a medical release lets insurers dig through your private medical records.
- They can use prior injuries or treatment to claim your symptoms stem from a pre-existing condition.
- It allows access to mental health records, which are highly personal and often unrelated to your claim.
- Records accessed early may be used to contradict later medical findings about how your injuries progressed.
Insurers often contact victims shortly after personal injuries happen, when they are vulnerable and less likely to question what they are signing. We recommend that you do not sign these forms and contact a lawyer instead.
Personal Injuries in Sandusky? Take These Steps Before Signing a Medical Release
When personal injuries happen in Sandusky because of others’ negligence, you have the right to hold them liable for your damages under Section 2315.18 of the Ohio Revised Code. However, payment is often made through insurers, who frequently deny, downplay, or dispute claims.
Medical releases provide insurers with information they will use against you. Before signing one, take these steps:
- Do not sign anything an insurance adjuster sends you without getting legal help first.
- Make sure any releases you do sign are limited and specific to your current situation and the personal injuries you suffered.
- Be especially protective of mental health, addiction treatment, and reproductive health records.
- If your health insurer requests a release to process your medical bills, have your lawyer review it first.
Signing a broad medical release can cost you real money in a Sandusky personal injury claim. Get legal advice first to protect yourself and your rights to compensation.
Before Signing a Medical Release, Consult Our Experienced Sandusky Personal Injury Lawyers
Insurers move fast when personal injuries in Ohio happen, and they count on you not knowing your rights. At Murray & Murray, our experienced Sandusky personal injury lawyers provide professional legal help and guide you through every step of the claims process.
When injuries happen because of others’ negligence, our office helps you understand the process and fights for the maximum amount you need to recover. We represent clients throughout Sandusky, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Contact our office today to request a consultation.
Source:
wisqars.cdc.gov/lcnf/?y1=2024&y2=2024&ct=10&cc=1&s=0&g=00&a=lcd1age&a1=0&a2=199&d=0