If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Pennsylvania, you may be prescribed physical therapy as part of your recovery. While often beneficial, physical therapy can be expensive, and you may wonder whether you can recover the cost of this treatment through a personal injury lawsuit. If you’ve recently been involved in an accident that required physical therapy, continue reading for more information and secure the legal advice of a skilled York County, PA personal injury attorney today.
Why is Physical Therapy Important After an Accident?
Physical therapy is a medical treatment used for individuals who have experienced broken bones, sprains and strains, surgery, back and neck pain, sports injuries, neurological conditions, and more. This treatment focuses on restoring and improving physical function and movement through a series of evidence-based treatments, exercises, stretches, massage therapy, and more.
Your car crash may have left you with a variety of ailments, including whiplash, broken bones, spinal injuries, or the need for surgery. Physical therapy can be extremely beneficial in the recovery phase to help get your strength and mobility back.
Can I Sue for the Cost of Physical Therapy After an Accident in PA?
Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is important after being injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party. Depending on the details of the situation, you can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Physical therapy is considered a compensable medical expense when it is deemed reasonable and necessary for recovery. As established, medical costs are generally covered under personal injury law. If your doctor recommends physical therapy as a treatment, it can be included in your economic damages and reimbursed through a claim or lawsuit.
How Does PA’s No-Fault Insurance System Affect My Ability to Sue?
Pennsylvania is a no-fault accident state, meaning that when an accident occurs, drivers must use their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and injury-related expenses. This can include the cost of physical therapy.
While you will be required to turn to your own insurance coverage first, you may still be able to take action against the negligent party if the costs of your therapy exceed your policy limits or your injury meets the “serious injury” threshold under PA state law.
To prove that physical therapy is a necessary treatment, you should work with an attorney to gather evidence, including medical documentation and expert testimony from medical professionals. For more information and to obtain skilled representation in your personal injury case, contact an attorney at Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
