Poorly assessed injuries after an accident: when insurers close cases too early

After an accident, many claims focus on the vehicle.

But in too many cases, the real problem arises later: when injuries are not properly assessed and the case is closed prematurely.

Persistent pain, non-healing injuries, unassessed scars, or future functional limitations are common in cases that are closed hastily.

In this article, we explain how a bodily injury should be assessed, why many compensations fall short, and what happens when the real impact on the affected person's life and work is not taken into account.

How a Correct Injury Assessment Should Be Done

An injury assessment should not be based on a single report or a one-off visit.

The correct process involves:

• Initial diagnosis after the accident
• Ongoing medical follow-up
• Complete completion of rehabilitation
• Assessment once stabilization is achieved
• Analysis of functional and aesthetic consequences

Closing the case before this point means assessing without knowing the true extent of the damage.

The Common Problem: Quick Closures and Incomplete Files

In practice, many claims are closed when:

• The pain persists, but is considered manageable
• The actual evolution is not monitored
• Medium- and long-term consequences are not analyzed
• The professional or occupational impact is not assessed

Once the closure is signed, reopening the file is very complex.

Case 1: Elvira — architect, C3 and C4 cervical injury and loss of mobility for travel

Elvira is an architect and worked on international projects.

Her professional activity involved:

• Frequent travel
• Regular flights
• On-site visits to construction sites
• Long days away from her place of residence

After the accident, she suffered a cervical injury affecting C3 and C4.

The insurance company:

• Assessed the incident as minor
• Assigned few days of sick leave
• Quickly ended the treatment
• Closed the claim

However, as the weeks passed:

• Neck pain persisted
• Mobility limitations appeared
• She could not fly without pain or risk
• She had to cancel trips and projects

The initial assessment did not take into account:

• The actual functional limitation
• The inability to travel
• The direct impact on her professional activity

With a complete medical review and a proper expert assessment, the claim was corrected to reflect both the injury and its actual impact on her ability to work.

Case 2: Hospitality professional — hip injury, scar, and uncertain job prospects

In another case, a young woman, a hospitality professional, suffered a serious hip injury after an accident.

His job required:

• Standing for long periods
• Lifting heavy objects
• Repetitive movements
• Agility and physical endurance

After the injury:

• A visible scar remained (cosmetic damage)
• Limited mobility appeared
• Medical doubts arose regarding his full recovery

In this case, the initial closure of the file did not take into account:

• The potential loss of ability to perform his profession
• The uncertainty about his future employment
• The possibility of permanent consequences
• The possibility that he might not be able to return to his job in the hospitality industry

Closing the case without assessing this scenario meant excluding:

• Future consequences
• Long-term professional impact
• A possible loss of earning capacity

Cosmetic damage and future consequences also matter

Many assessments ignore:

• Visible scars
• Permanent alterations
• Risks of future interventions
• Need for prostheses or subsequent treatments

The damage is not only the present, but also the future that is affected.

The Role of the Independent Medical Expert

An independent medical expert:

• Does not work in haste
• Analyzes the complete evolution of the injury
• Assesses functional and aesthetic consequences
• Studies the real professional impact
• Considers reasonable future scenarios

It's not about exaggeration, but about correctly assessing the injury.

Conclusion

Injuries don't always end when the insurance company decides to close the case.

Closing a case too soon can mean:

• Losing compensation
• Accepting consequences without compensation
• Facing an uncertain professional future

Before signing a settlement, it's advisable to ensure that the injury is assessed in its entirety: medical, functional, aesthetic, and professional.

At MataSeguros, we review prematurely closed cases when there is still room to adjust the compensation.

If you have suffered an accident and the assessment does not reflect the true evolution of your injury, its impact on your work, or possible future consequences, we can review your case before it becomes irreversible.