Can Insurance Companies Access Your Medical Records?
If you’ve been injured in a car crash or another type of accident in Louisiana and you need to pursue a personal injury claim, you might be wondering, “can the insurance company see my medical records?” The short answer is yes, but there are limitations. Insurance companies often request medical records to evaluate your injuries and determine compensation.
However, they are not entitled to unlimited access. A committed Lafayette personal injury lawyer can protect your privacy and your right to fair compensation.
Let’s take a look at whether insurance companies can access your medical records after an accident and how a personal injury attorney ensures that only necessary information is released.
Why Insurance Companies Want Your Medical Records
When you file a claim for injuries after a car accident, truck crash, slip and fall, or any other personal injury incident, the insurance company will want proof of your damages. In the vast majority of cases, medical records serve as one of the most important pieces of evidence.
Insurance adjusters may request medical records to complete the following essential steps:
- Verify that you were injured
- Evaluate the severity of your injuries
- Confirm that your injuries were caused by the accident
- Calculate how much they may have to pay in a settlement
While these goals may sound reasonable, it’s important to remember that insurance companies are not your friend. Their job is to reduce what they owe you, so you should always be cautious when sharing medical information and other records with them.
An attorney can offer further information on whether insurance companies can access your medical records. Your lawyer will ensure only necessary information is shared, shielding you from dishonest practices and increasing your chances of getting a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
How Much of Your Medical History Can Insurers Access?
While the insurance company can access your medical records, they are only entitled to access records related to the injuries you suffered in the accident you are filing a claim for.
For example, if you injured your back in a car crash, the insurance company can request medical records that relate to the medical treatment you’ve received for your back injury.
However, in some situations, the insurance company may ask for broader access to your records, including information on treatment that is unrelated to the crash. Insurers do this under the pretense of evaluating “pre-existing conditions.”
If you sign a release that gives the insurer broader access, they may be able to view:
- Past mental health records
- Primary care visits
- Prior unrelated injuries
- Diagnoses of a sensitive nature
You should never sign a medical release form without talking to a lawyer first. A skilled attorney can review the terms of the release and determine if signing it would give the insurer access to unnecessary information that could be used to hurt your claim, resulting in a far smaller settlement.
Why You Should Never Deal With Insurance Alone
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask the right questions and use your answers against you. They may act friendly, but their ultimate goal is to pay you as little as possible. Giving them access to your full medical file gives them ammunition to minimize the impact of your injuries and even blame your condition on a prior incident.
When you hire a dedicated personal injury lawyer, they’ll take over all communication with the insurance company. You won’t have to guess whether you’re sharing too much with the insurer because your lawyer will be by your side every step of the way, ensuring the insurance company doesn’t receive any information that could be used to reduce your settlement.
Schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer today to learn more about giving the insurance company access to your medical records after an accident.
How a Trusted Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
There are many steps that a personal injury lawyer can take to protect your privacy and pursue fair compensation after an accident. Your attorney will answer any questions you have about how insurance companies access medical records after an accident and take the following steps to get the damages you deserve:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your case and file a strong claim using solid evidence
- Review all medical record requests you receive from the insurance company
- Limit disclosure to only medical records related to the accident you’re filing a claim for
- Reject or revise any overly broad or intrusive medical release forms
- Coordinate with your healthcare providers to obtain accurate records
- Prevent the insurance company from using unrelated medical history against you
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain
- Negotiate a settlement that covers your losses and provides the support you need to make a full recovery
- Prepare your case for trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable payment
- Explain why and how insurance companies access your medical records after an accident
Learn More About How Insurance Companies Access Your Medical Records
If you need to file a claim for injuries suffered in a car crash or other type of incident, it’s important to understand that insurance companies can access your medical records. At Laborde Earles, we prioritize our clients’ privacy and fight relentlessly to get them the damages they need to get back on their feet.
We have over 350 years of combined legal experience and have won over $1 billion in damages for injury victims in Louisiana. At our firm, one call is all it takes to get the trusted legal presentation you need to win your case.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward a fair settlement.
