Managing Partner
Yes. A California car accident settlement can include compensation for physical therapy when it is reasonably necessary to treat injuries caused by the crash. Physical therapy is generally considered alongside other accident-related medical care, such as hospitalization, surgery, specialist treatment, diagnostic testing, and future medical needs.
For people who suffer serious injuries in a collision, rehabilitation may continue well after the initial treatment ends. The cost of that care, along with other medical expenses, can be an important part of determining the value of an injury claim.
When Does a Car Accident Settlement Cover Physical Therapy?
California allows an injured person to seek compensation for the reasonable cost of medical care made necessary by another party’s negligence. That can include physical therapy when it is part of the treatment for accident-related injuries.
For example, someone seriously injured in a car accident may require emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment. Physical therapy could then help the person regain strength, mobility, or function during recovery.
The key is showing that the therapy was reasonably necessary and connected to the injuries caused by the collision.
What Factors Affect Compensation for Physical Therapy?
Several factors can affect whether physical therapy expenses are included in a settlement and how those expenses are evaluated.
These may include:
- Medical necessity: A doctor or other medical provider recommended physical therapy as part of your recovery.
- Connection to the accident: Medical records link the need for rehabilitation to injuries caused or aggravated by the crash.
- Treatment history: Records document the frequency of therapy, your progress, and any continuing limitations.
- Future needs: Your medical providers anticipate that rehabilitation will continue as part of your recovery.
The cost of treatment must also be reasonable. Insurers may dispute expenses they believe are unrelated to the accident or unsupported by the medical evidence.
Why Do Medical Records Matter for Physical Therapy Expenses?
Medical documentation helps show why physical therapy was needed and how it fits into your broader course of treatment.
Records from treating physicians can establish the nature and severity of your injuries, while therapy records can document your progress and ongoing limitations. Following treatment recommendations also creates a clearer picture of your recovery.
Long, unexplained gaps in care may give an insurance company an opportunity to argue that certain treatment was unnecessary or unrelated to the crash. This is one reason the complete medical record matters when evaluating an injury claim.
What Other Medical Expenses Can a Car Accident Settlement Cover?
Physical therapy is only one type of medical expense that may result from a serious collision. Depending on the injuries involved, a claim could include compensation for:
- Emergency transportation and hospital care
- Surgeries and other medical procedures
- Diagnostic imaging and specialist appointments
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Rehabilitation and other follow-up treatment
Someone with a traumatic brain injury, for example, may need neurological treatment and other forms of rehabilitation in addition to physical therapy.
Other catastrophic injuries may require multiple surgeries, assistive equipment, or ongoing medical care. A claim should account for the broader medical impact of the injury rather than focusing on one category of treatment.
Can You Recover the Cost of Future Physical Therapy?
Yes, future rehabilitation expenses may be recoverable when medical evidence shows the treatment is reasonably certain to be necessary because of the accident.
Medical records and treatment recommendations can help establish the type, duration, and expected cost of future care. In serious injury cases, medical professionals may also evaluate long-term rehabilitation needs.
These expenses should be considered before a claim is resolved. Once a settlement is final, you generally cannot seek additional compensation if you later need more treatment than expected.
Account for the Full Impact of Your Car Accident Injuries
At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we represent people who have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents. We examine the full scope of the medical care an injury requires, from hospital care and surgery to rehabilitation and reasonably anticipated future treatment.
We also evaluate how the injury has affected your ability to work and your daily life when pursuing compensation from the responsible parties.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a California car accident, contact us for a free case evaluation. We can assess your current and future losses and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.