Does Physical Therapy Increase Settlement Amounts?

While every case is different, physical therapy can help increase settlement amounts in some cases. For example, the courts and insurance companies may not take your word for how bad your pain is after an accident. However, physical therapy records documenting that your pain was a “10” on a scale of 1-10 provide strong, documented evidence from a medical professional. This may assist in increasing the total of your settlement offer.

Will Physical Therapy Increase My Settlement?

If you need physical therapy after an accident, your claim’s value will likely be higher than it would otherwise. In addition to physical therapy, you could be entitled to recover compensation for your medical treatment, lost income, emotional trauma, and more.

If you suffered serious injuries in a Florida car accident, you face a long and painful road to recovery. Getting the best possible medical treatment and care can help you achieve a full recovery. If you don’t get the care you need, however, you could find yourself with chronic pain and even long-term disability.

For many injury accident victims, physical therapy can have a significant effect on their recovery. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t like to pay the high cost of therapeutic and rehabilitation services.

An Effective Car Accident Injury Lawyer is Your Best Asset

When it comes to maximizing accident settlement amounts, an experienced personal injury team with a proven track record is your best asset. The Florida car accident lawyers of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk fight to get our wrongfully injured clients the justice and financial compensation they deserve. We offer a free consultation for injury accident victims to help provide you with the information you need regarding the potential value of your car accident physical therapy settlement. Learn more about a million dollar personal injury settlement example and how we can help.

How Much is the Average Car Accident Physical Therapy Settlement?

Every injury accident victim’s injuries and experiences are unique. For this reason, it is difficult to accurately estimate any average car accident settlement—with physical therapy or without. How much compensation you get for a car accident physical therapy settlement in Florida varies based on the unique circumstances of each situation and the severity of your injuries. Based on our own settlement data on this page, the average car accident physical therapy settlement is between $72,500 to $300,000. Settlements typically include compensation for all the victim’s economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical treatment, testing, physical therapy, prescription medications, and related services. These damages are easy to document and establish a value for. It is typically safe to conclude that any claim involving physical therapy will have a higher value than one that does not include those services. Noneconomic damages for things like pain and suffering may also be higher where extensive physical therapy is involved.

Do you want to know to determine what the potential value of your claim might be? Talk to an experienced Florida car accident attorney.

Examples of Physical Therapy Settlement Amounts

$300,000 Settlement for Car Accident That Caused Physical Therapy, Rotator Cuff Surgery, Head Laceration

Our client was walking his dog in Pinellas County, when he approached a crosswalk to walk toward the beach. Our client pressed the button to activate the rapid flashing beacons, to warn approaching vehicles. When the beacons activated, our client entered the crosswalk and began to walk across the street. Unfortunately, the defendant driver, who was clearly distracted, failed to see the flashing beacons and the pedestrian crossing sign, and struck our client going approximately 30 miles per hour.

As a result of the impact, our client rolled up on the hood of the defendant’s vehicle and was jettisoned into the other lane of traffic. Fortunately, the vehicles in the other lane had properly stopped. Our client was knocked unconscious and did not regain consciousness until he was seen in the emergency room.

At the emergency room, our client received emergent care to treat his dislocated left shoulder, broken left collarbone, fractured ribs, multiple lacerations and a concussion. Following his discharge from the hospital, our client was referred to an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed our client with a left shoulder rotator cuff tear. The orthopedic surgeon prescribed our client with a regiment of physical therapy, aimed at restoring the range of motion in the left shoulder. Due to his dedication to the therapy, our client was able to regain full use of his left shoulder without the need for surgery.

After the conclusion of the medical treatment, we sent a demand for settlement to the defendant’s insurance company and to our client’s underinsured motorist insurance carrier. The plaintiff’s insurance refused to give our client a fair settlement offer, but through continuous negotiations were able to convince them to pay significantly more. In the end, we were able to obtain a combined $300,000 settlement for our client.

$135,000 Settlement for Car Accident That Caused Physical Therapy, Mesenteric Hematoma, Liver Laceration, Bleeding, and Cellulitis

Our client was traveling north on a rural two-lane road in Pasco county. As our client approached a vehicle heading south, that vehicle unexpectedly drifted into our client’s lane. Unable to avoid the other vehicle, our client was forced into a head-on collision when both vehicles were traveling at an estimated speed of 45 miles per hour. The resulting head-on impact was devastating and both vehicles were totaled.

As a result of the crash, our client suffered extensive internal injuries. He was rushed to the nearest hospital where he received emergent care and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. After spending 3 days in the hospital for treatment and observation he was discharged.

After his discharge from the hospital, our client came under the care of an orthopedic. The orthopedic prescribed our client a regiment of physical therapy, which aided our client in making a good recovery from his injuries.

The defendant vehicle did not possess bodily injury coverage, so a claim was made to the insurance company that provided our client with uninsured motorist coverage. After our attorneys engaged in aggressive negotiations with the insurance company (and threatening litigation), we were able to obtain a $135,000 settlement for our client. This amount compensated our client for their medical bills, injuries, and pain and suffering.

Whiplash Settlement With Physical Therapy Examples

$300,000 Recovered – Whiplash With Physical Therapy

In this tragic accident, our client was a passenger in a vehicle being operated by a medical transport company driver. As the driver prepared to change lanes on U.S. 441 in Palm Beach County, FL, she suddenly lost control of the car as a result of overcorrecting as the vehicle pulled to the left. Skidding across the roadway, the vehicle rolled over onto its roof and ultimately collided with a guardrail.

Our client had to be airlifted to the nearest trauma center in West Palm Beach. He was suffering from pain in his neck, as a result of whiplash, as well as left shoulder, lower back, right side, and abdomen. Imaging studies showed that he had sustained a herniated disc in his neck and multiple bulging discs in his neck and back. Our client followed up with his orthopedic surgeon for pain in his back, right knee, and left shoulder. Later testing revealed that he had suffered a serious shoulder separation injury. His right knee, which had been operated on only a few days before the crash and for which he was being transported to the doctor at the time of the crash, was also reinjured and he underwent formal physical therapy for it.

The driver of the transport vehicle had only $50,000.00 in insurance coverage, and, given the significance of the injuries involved, her company quickly paid those limits to our client. We then discovered that the driver’s employer had an additional liability policy with a limit of $300,000.00. We prepared a detailed and comprehensive settlement package for the insurance company and demanded that they pay the full limit of their coverage. Recognizing their substantial liability, the company was convinced to tender its $300,000.00 to our client.

Following the payments by the insurance companies, we also worked hard to reduce the health insurance and worker’s compensation liens that our client was obligated to pay from his settlement. We were ultimately able to cut those liens substantially and save our client additional money. He was very happy with the outcome and with our representation.

$72,500 Recovered – Whiplash Settlement With Physical Therapy

Our client, who was a resident of Venice, FL and employed as a server, was driving through the main road in a Walmart parking lot when the defendant pulled out from a side road and T-boned our client in his passenger’s side. The impact caused heavy damage to our client’s vehicle.

Initially, our client felt all right and did not see treatment right away. As is often the case, however, his neck and back became painful shortly after the accident as a result of the whiplash injury he sustained, and he sought treatment with an orthopedic practice. Physical therapy was recommended, and an MRI study of the lower back was also prescribed. The MRI revealed a herniated disc at the L5-S1 level.

At the conclusion of our client’s treatment, we presented a demand package to the defendant’s insurance company. The company offered a paltry $4,200.00. In response, we immediately filed a lawsuit against the defendant and pursued the case in court. Through discovery, we were able to demonstrate that although his treatment had been limited, our client had likely sustained a permanent injury to his back. Before the case was scheduled to go to trial, we convinced the insurance company to pay nearly 20 times its initial offer. The case was settled for $72,500.00, an amount with which our client was very happy.

Radiofrequency Ablation Settlement Value Examples

$110,000 Settlement from Car Accident, Which Caused Physical Therapy and Sciatica With Radiofrequency Ablations

Our client was stopped at a red light in Pinellas County when she was rear ended at a moderate rate of speed by the defendant. After the accident, our client had an evaluation with an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with segmental and somatic dysfunction of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region. She was referred to a chiropractor where she began a routine of physical therapy.

When conservative care failed to resolve her pain complaints, the client underwent a thoracic and lumbar MRI. The MRI scans were reviewed by a neurosurgeon, who ultimately diagnosed our client with a thoracic herniation and lumbago-sciatica caused by disc displacement in the lumbar spine.

Due to unresolved sciatica complaints, our client underwent medial branch block injections in her lower back. When these injections did not significantly reduce the sciatica pain, our client had radiofrequency ablations performed in her lower back as well.

After the radiofrequency ablations were concluded, a demand for the respective policy limits were sent to the defendant’s insurance company and to our client’s insurance company. Our attorneys convinced both insurance companies to pay their entire policy limits. Accordingly, we were pleased that our clients received the maximum insurance proceeds for their injuries.

$160,000 Recovered – Radiofrequency Ablation of the Thoracic Spine

Our client, a 73-year-old realtor, was involved in a significant rearend collision on Valrico Rd. in Hillsborough County, FL. The defendant was found to have operated his vehicle in a negligent or careless manner by the police.

Immediately after the accident, our client began experiencing back pain as well as chest discomfort. He was taken to the hospital where he was found to have suffered a lung contusion among other injuries. As a veteran, our client followed up initially with his primary care doctor at the VA. He was prescribed medication and told the symptoms would likely improve with time. The pain in his back, however, continued and intensified over the next few months causing him to seek treatment and our representation. After an MRI scan showed herniated discs in his mid-back, our client came under the care of an orthopedic surgeon who recommended injection therapy including a procedure called radiofrequency ablation. This process, which our client underwent, involves heating of the spinal nerves to block the pain signals coming from the joints in the back.

After our client’s procedure, we presented a claim for compensation to the defendant’s insurance company. The company argued that the findings on the MRI scan were degenerative changes that were not caused by the accident. They also asserted that our client had very little treatment in the four-month period right after the accident. We negotiated hard and exchanged multiple demand and offers with the company. In the end, we were able to obtain a settlement of $160,000.00 for our client.

$195,000 – Recovered for a Radiofrequency Ablation

On the day of this accident, our client was traveling west on State Road 54 in Pasco County, FL approaching the intersection of Old Cypress Creek Road. The defendant, who was driving a large sport utility vehicle, was traveling east on S.R. 54 when he attempted to turn left on Old Cypress Creek Rd. directly in the path of our client. Our client was unable to avoid colliding with the defendant in a T-bone fashion. The defendant was cited by the police for failure to yield the right of way.

Our client felt immediate pain in her middle and lower back and presented to an urgent care facility. She was evaluated and referred to a specialist for further treatment. MRI scans revealed disc bulges in our client’s thoracic spine and lumbar spine. Based on these serious injuries, her doctor recommended she undergo a procedure called a radiofrequency ablation. This procedure involves using radio waves to create a current that heats a small area of nerve tissue. The heat destroys that area of the nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to the brain. Radiofrequency ablation can provide lasting relief from chronic pain. Our client underwent radiofrequency ablation in both the thoracic and lumbar areas of her spine.

Once our client had reached her maximum medical improvement, we prepared and submitted a comprehensive demand package to the defendant’s insurance company and to our client’s uninsured motorist insurer. The defendant’s insurer paid its minimal policy limit to our client early on since it was clear that the value of the claim far exceeded it. Our client’s insurer, however, initially refused to make a good faith offer. We negotiated hard with them letting them know that we were prepared to press our client’s case in court if necessary. Finally, we were able to convince them to make a fair offer, and the case settled for a total of $195,000.00, a result that our client was very happy with.

$210,000 Recovered – Disc Herniations Requiring Radiofrequency Ablations

Before her accident, our client had multiple injuries caused by numerous prior car accidents. On the day of the accident, she was riding as a passenger in her relative’s car when she was involved in a minor, side-swipe type collision. The impact occurred to the driver’s side door. Our client sustained an aggravation of her pre-existing lower back injury which required some conservative treatment to help her recover to her pre-accident condition.

We made a demand on the defendant’s insurance company, and we also sent a demand package to our client’s uninsured motorist carrier. The defendant’s insurance company offered $60,000.00 to settle the claim while our client’s insurance company argued that the value of the case was less than the defendant’s policy limits and, therefore, they owed nothing.

We did not accept the defendant’s offer and instead filed a lawsuit. The case was extensively litigated with both sides engaging in discovery including depositions of witnesses. Before the mediation conference was scheduled, our client’s uninsured motorist company paid its policy limit of $10,000.00. Thereafter, a long mediation took place in which the defendant’s insurance company increased its offer to $100,000.00. We rejected their offer and continued to negotiate hard. Ultimately, they agreed to pay $200,000.00 which together with the $10,000.00 our client had already received, fairly compensated her for her damages. Our client was very pleased with the outcome. This was a good result in a case with several challenges including pre-existing injuries and a minor impact to our client’s vehicle.

How Long After Physical Therapy Do You Get a Settlement?

The timing of a settlement after physical therapy varies widely from case to case. Factors such as the extent of your injuries, ongoing treatments, and the negotiation process with insurance companies all play a part in determining how quickly a case can settle. In some instances, a person might complete PT early in their recovery and reach a settlement relatively quickly. Other times, the process can stretch on—especially if the case goes into litigation, which can take a year or more. Ultimately, there’s no set timeline.

Who Pays for Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Your Florida personal injury protection (PIP) insurance (if you have it) will cover some portion of your treatment. However, if your injuries are severe, it might not be enough to cover all your care, including physical therapy. Unless you can pay out-of-pocket, you might not be able to get the therapeutic services you need. Ultimately, if your injuries are significant enough, the at-fault party’s insurance should be responsible for covering all your physical, emotional, and financial damages—including any type of treatment you need to restore your health and well-being. Getting the insurance company to fulfill these obligations might pose a significant challenge. An experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.

After a car accident, how your medical treatment gets paid for depends on your circumstances. If you have health insurance—even Medicare—you can generally get the treatment you need. However, if someone else was at fault for the accident, your health insurance company could demand repayment for those costs.

How Much Does Physical Therapy After a Car Accident Cost?

The cost of physical therapy can vary significantly, depending on the nature of your injuries and other factors. Physical therapists are highly trained professionals with valuable skill sets. Although the cost of working with a physical therapist might be less than that of a medical doctor or surgeon, you typically spend more time in physical therapy, making the overall cost increase significantly.

Overall physical therapy costs typically include an in-depth assessment of your condition and the development of a comprehensive treatment plan. Once you begin physical therapy sessions, you will be paying for the therapist’s services as well as for the use of whatever equipment your treatment involves.

Depending on the provider, physical therapy can cost as much as $100 per session or more. Initially, you might need three or more sessions per week, and depending on your injuries and progress, you might need to keep going for weeks, months, or even longer. This could mean that a 3 months of physical therapy settlement or a 6 months of physical therapy settlement may ultimately reflect the costs involved in your recovery. As you can see, these costs can easily and quickly add up. For instance, a 3 months of physical therapy settlement may account for a small portion of your total claim, while a 6 months of physical therapy settlement could be higher, depending on the severity of your injuries and the treatment cost. For example, when pursuing a whiplash settlement with physical therapy, these increasing costs may also influence the overall value of your claim.

Do You Have to Go to Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Whether you need physical therapy depends on the nature of your injuries and how they affect your life. In many cases, therapy can help speed up the healing process while restoring your comfort and functionality. In some cases, you might not regain functionality without physical rehab or physical therapy, or you might require surgery or other invasive treatment that would not otherwise be required if you went to therapy.

Some of the most common types of injuries that require physical therapy include the following:

• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Elbow and wrist injuries

Although these are some of the most common motor vehicle crash injuries that could require physical therapy, your doctor could recommend physical therapy for a variety of other issues. For example, any injury that affects your strength, mobility, or range of motion could benefit from physical therapy. You might also benefit from physical therapy if you have pain or if you struggle to perform job tasks or activities of daily living.

The bottom line is that if a qualified medical treatment provider indicates that you need physical therapy, you should follow those recommendations to the letter.

Here’s How to Increase Your Odds of Getting Physical Therapy in a Car Accident Settlement

After a car accident injury, getting the comprehensive medical treatment and care you need is critical to your recovery and future well-being. If you need physical rehab and therapy, getting those services can make a significant difference in your long-term quality of life. Without them, you could face a lifetime of physical pain, mobility challenges, and occupational limitations. Unfortunately, therapeutic services can be expensive—and you might require months or even years of physical therapy.

Insurance companies always seek to pay as little as possible. The fewer claims they must pay, the higher the return they can provide to shareholders and company owners. If the insurance company can avoid paying for your physical therapy, they could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars. It’s safe to say you will have a fight on your hands to get compensation for these services.

Having an experienced attorney on your side can help ensure your settlement covers your physical therapy services. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our car accident attorneys understand how to build a well-documented and persuasive case. We demand compensation for the full extent of your damages. We use specialists and experts to clearly demonstrate your current and future needs for medical treatment and therapeutic services.

This is only one area where our compassionate and experienced attorneys can make a difference in your case outcome. Talk to us today to learn how our services can benefit you as you fight to get back on your feet after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.

Will Physical Therapy Increase Your Settlement? Talk to a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today for Answers

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our experienced Florida personal injury lawyers know how to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. With decades of experience and a strong track record of success, we put our extensive network of resources to work for you.

You don’t have to fight this battle alone.

Contact us now to take advantage of our free consultation and case review. Our knowledgeable attorneys will fight to help you get the best possible settlement, so you can get the treatment and physical therapy you need.