Why Telling Your Doctor “I’m Fine” Can Hurt Your Louisiana Injury Claim
Advice from Louisiana personal injury lawyer Loyd J. Bourgeois.
You’ve been in a crash, or maybe you slipped and got hurt. Now you’re sitting in the doctor’s office, and they ask:
Doctor or Nurse: “How are you feeling today?”
You: “I’m okay” or “I’m doing fine.”
Most of us say it without thinking. It’s polite. It feels normal. But that quick answer could cost you later.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773What You Say to Your Doctor Becomes Evidence
If you’re at the doctor’s because of an accident, you’re not okay. And saying you are can hurt your case. When you tell a doctor or nurse you’re fine, it often ends up in your medical records.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers look closely at those records. If the notes say “patient reports doing fine,” they’ll argue you weren’t really injured or that you got better quickly. Even if that’s not true.
This is why we tell our clients: be honest, be clear, and don’t downplay your pain.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773It’s Not Complaining. It’s Telling the Truth
You might not want to sound like a complainer. Or maybe you’ve gotten used to living with your symptoms and don’t feel the need to bring them up again. But if something still hurts or limits you, your medical file needs to say so every visit, every time.
Your doctor can’t read your mind. If you’re still struggling to lift, bend, sit, or work, say it clearly. If you don’t, your silence may be mistaken for recovery.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773Don’t Worry About “Wasting the Doctor’s Time”
We hear this a lot: “I didn’t want to bother my doctor.” But this isn’t about bothering anyone. It’s about getting the care you need and protecting your case.
Even if your pain turns out to be something small, it’s still worth talking about. You’re not a doctor. That’s their job. Your job is to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
What feels like simple soreness after an accident might be more serious. For example, lingering shoulder pain could be inflammation and soreness. It could also be a torn rotator cuff. If you don’t bring it up, you risk settling your case, then finding out later that you need surgery. At that point, it will be too late to get help paying for it.
Talk about every symptom, even if it seems minor.
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FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773How to Talk to Your Doctor After an Accident in Louisiana
Give your doctor the full picture. Be specific. Be detailed. Here’s how:
- Explain where the pain is: “Lower back on the right side.”
- Say how often it happens: “Sharp pain 3–4 times a day.”
- Talk about how it affects you: “I can’t stand long enough to cook” or “I haven’t driven since the crash.”
- If you had to miss work or can’t lift your kids, say so.
It helps to keep a written log of your symptoms. Bring that log with you to each visit. If something new starts, or old pain gets worse, add it to your list.
You can get a complimentary copy of our Car Accident Injury Victim’s Diary Workbook here. It’s designed to help you track your pain, symptoms, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life, so nothing important gets missed at your appointments.
Be Honest About Prior Injuries
If you’ve had past injuries or preexisting conditions, tell your doctor. Don’t leave anything out. Your doctor needs your full medical history to give the right care and to document how this new injury may have made things worse.
Trying to hide old injuries usually backfires. If an insurance company finds out you didn’t disclose a past issue, they may try to blame your current pain on that instead of the accident and accuse you of being dishonest. Being upfront protects your health and your case.
Be Real About What You Can and Can’t Do
If your doctor recommends a treatment that won’t work for you, maybe because of your job, your pain, or even the cost, say so. This is not the time to nod and agree if you know it’s not going to happen. Don’t agree and then no show. That implies to the insurance company that your pain and injuries aren’t serious.
Your medical records need to reflect your real-life limits. If you can’t attend therapy three times a week because of your work schedule or mobility issues, make sure that’s in your file.
If your doctor recommends an MRI, get it done. Imaging like MRIs can show damage that regular X-rays don’t. Insurance companies often deny or delay claims by arguing there’s not enough proof of injury. Getting an MRI when your doctor suggests it helps confirm what’s going on in your body and gives your case the solid medical backing it needs.
It’s Okay to Ask Questions
If you’ve read about a medication or therapy and want to ask your doctor about it, go ahead. Your questions are valid. Whether it’s from a news story, a friend, or something you found online, bringing up concerns helps your doctor understand what you’re worried about and gets those concerns documented.
Keep Legal Talk Out of the Exam Room
We know you may have a lot of legal questions after an accident, but your doctor’s office isn’t the place for them. Your doctor is there to focus on your care, not your case.
Don’t mention lawsuits, settlements, or lawyers during your visit. If those comments end up in your file, it can make it look like you’re focused more on money than on getting better.
Keep the focus on your health. We’ll handle the legal side.
Why It Matters for Your Personal Injury Case
At LJBLegal, we’ve seen it too many times: people who were seriously hurt but whose records didn’t tell the real story. That can lead to lowball offers or even denied claims.
Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible. If your records say you were “doing okay,” they’ll use that against you.
We build strong cases by making sure your pain and limitations are clearly documented.
Next Steps: Protect Yourself and Your Case
If you’re hurt and getting medical care in Louisiana, keep this in mind:
- Tell the truth, every time, even if it feels repetitive.
- Speak up if something hurts or gets worse.
- Be honest about what you can and can’t do.
- Be clear about your medical history, including past injuries.
- Ask questions if you’re unsure or curious about treatments.
- Bring a pain log or symptom list to each appointment.
Your words can help or hurt your case. And once it’s in the file, it’s hard to change.
Need Help After an Accident?
If you’ve been injured in Louisiana, your medical records are one of the most important parts of your personal injury claim. At LJBLegal, we help you understand what to expect and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Want to make sure your medical evidence supports your case? Contact us today for a free case review.
