Should I Release My Medical Records to an Insurance Company?

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Should I Release My Medical Records to an Insurance Company?

Car Accident Info

It’s a question we hear from many of the people who call us. The insurance companies can be quick to engage with you after an accident.  They may seem genuinely concerned about your well-being, but beware. Their mission is not about getting you what you deserve. It’s about paying you as little as possible.

While you are not legally obligated to turn over medical records to the insurance company after an accident, you must provide documentation of your injury before a policy claim is paid out. ONLY medical records relating to your injury need to be turned over. You do NOT need to provide the insurance copy with any healthcare records unrelated to the injury. “Unrelated” records include a complete medical history or information about pre-existing health conditions. NEVER sign a release granting the insurance company the right to access any of your medical information directly. Privacy laws guarantee the freedom to turn over only the medical records you choose to disclose.

The insurance company will use the medical records related to your injury to get an accurate assessment of the damages you are owed. However, if you turn over ALL of your medical records to the insurance company, you run the risk of adjusters using that information to deny or underpay your claim. They might argue, for example, that your injury pre-existed in the accident or was partially caused by a pre-existing health condition.

The insurance company knows they do not have the right to see your complete medical history, but that will not stop them from requesting that you turn it over. They may also demand that you provide a recorded statement about your injuries and a medical report from your doctor. You are NOT obligated to offer either to the adverse insurance company. If you are asked to do so, a qualified car accident lawyer can act as your insurance company’s representative to ensure your rights are protected.

Does my doctor need to give the insurance company a medical report?

In the case of a doctor’s report, you have the right to refuse to allow the insurance company to contact your doctor directly. If you provide a report from your doctor, contact your physician directly and work with them to limit the scope of what the report will disclose to include only information relevant to your claim.

If any costs are associated with gathering your medical records, you may request that the insurance company pay for them.

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Independent Medical Exam (IME)

An insurance company may request that you undergo an “independent medical exam” (IME) with a doctor they select. Do NOT agree to an IME before discussing your situation with a car accident attorney. It is in the insurance company’s best interest to choose doctors who routinely downplay the seriousness of a claimant’s injuries. Despite what the adjuster might tell you, refusing to be examined by the insurance company’s doctor will not negatively impact your claim.

Insurance companies will constantly push for more information than they are entitled to – especially if they know that a team of experienced car accident lawyers does not represent you. Before turning over any medical information, consult with an attorney at Rutter Mills who can advise you about your rights and what you should or should not allow the insurance company to see. Call right away to schedule a free consultation.

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Dave Put His Trust in Us

Don’t Fall For The Insurance Company’s Games

Dave suffered serious injuries in a car accident. The defendant’s insurance company tried to offer him a low amount so Dave called Rutter Mills. We took over dealing with the insurance and got Dave the money he needed to get back on his feet.

They enabled me to be happy in life again.

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Glenn’s car accident changed his life, but not permanently thanks to the help of his Rutter Mills attorney. When the insurance companies wouldn’t help him, our team fought back and won.

I knew I needed Rutter Mills.

Fighting For What's Right

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On his way home from work at the shipyard, Dan was involved in an accident. He tried to file a claim on his own, but the insurance company wouldn’t give him the money he needed to put his life back on track. Dan knew he needed to call Rutter Mills.

They actually won my case 3 times!

Larena's Win

After her car accident, Larena asked her father, a local stevedore, for his advice on who to call. He recommended Rutter Mills. Her team of car accident experts at Rutter Mills fought back when the insurance companies tried to deny her the money she needed to recuperate from her injuries. We took her case to trial – and won. When the insurance company filed their appeals, we beat them again – two more times! Larena got the money she needed and the justice she deserved.

We’re going to immediately call Rutter Mills. That’s the people I trust with my baby girl.

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After a car accident, Jamaree’s first call was to her mom. She was shaken up and scared. Mom told her “We’re calling Rutter Mills. Her next was to Rutter Mills. Her Rutter Mills car accident team helped her get compensation “above & beyond” what she was expecting.

They lifted allot of stress off my shoulders. I recommend them to anybody because they WILL fight for you.

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Referrals From Friends and Family

After John was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, he turned to the person he trusts most for a recommendation. His wife, a paralegal of 30 years, told him to call Rutter Mills on the advice of the lawyer she worked for.

They really care for you as a person. Words cannot describe what Rutter Mills did for me and for my case.

When You Need Someone In Your Corner

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When the insurance company tried to get Carol to sign paperwork after her car accident, she knew she needed a lawyer. Carol knew she needed Rutter Mills.

When I called Rutter Mills, I knew it was the right fit. They’re so interested in helping you get justice.

Getting The Justice You Deserve

When Mom Needs Strength

Taryn was in a car accident while she was pregnant. She knew she needed someone in her corner to protect her rights and her family’s future.

There’s attorneys, then there’s Rutter Mills.

We're Here When The Unexpected Happens

Priorities

A devasting accident changed Levon’s life forever. The physical and emotional toll left him scared and in pain. When the insurance company for the defendant contacted the family, they made an offer that did not even cover the cost of the medication, much less doctors’ bills, and physical therapy. They knew they needed to talk to a serious lawyer. Rutter Mills took care of the negotiation so Levon could focus on healing.

When you’ve got a serious injury, you need a serious lawyer. That’s why we chose Rutter Mills.

Motorcycle Accidents Change Everything

When Ed was injured in a motorcycle crash, he knew he needed a serious lawyer to protect his rights. The insurance companies were fighting him every step of the way. Rutter Mills helped prove Ed’s case and get him the money he needed to get on the road to recovery.

With the seriousness of the accident, I knew that we needed a serious lawyer. I needed Rutter Mills.

Carol & Levon's Story

They knew they needed a serious lawyer when Carol and her son were seriously injured. After the other party’s insurance company tried to get her to settle for less than she needed, Carol called Rutter Mills for help. We took on the insurance company so she could focus on healing.

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