Bodily injury assessment: why many claims are closed too early

When an accident occurs, bodily harm is not always immediate or obvious.

However, many injury claims are closed quickly, before the medical process is complete or the actual damage is fully assessed.

This is one of the most serious mistakes in insurance claims: closing a medical file prematurely.

In this article, we explain how an injury assessment should be done correctly, why many insurers close cases prematurely, and what the consequences are of accepting compensation when rehabilitation is still needed.

How a Proper Injury Assessment Should Work

An injury assessment should not be based on a quick visit or a generic report.

The correct procedure involves:

• Initial diagnosis after the accident
• Ongoing medical follow-up
• Full rehabilitation period
• Final evaluation when the patient reaches stability
• Assessment of functional and aesthetic impairments

Only when the injury has stabilized can a complete assessment be considered.

Closing prematurely means assessing blindly.

The Real Problem: Injuries That Appear Later

Many injuries:

• Don't manifest on the first day
• Worsen over the following weeks
• Appear after resuming normal activity

Neck pain, lower back pain, hip, knee, or shoulder problems are clear examples.

Especially when there has been:

• Dragging
• Falls
• Indirect impacts
• Sudden movements

Accepting early compensation often means that these damages will never be assessed.

Quick Case Closure: Why It Happens

Insurance companies tend to close cases quickly because:

• It reduces costs
• It limits the risk of long-term effects
• It avoids subsequent reviews
• It simplifies the process

It's not a personal matter; it's a management model.

The problem is that the insurer's interests don't align with those of the injured party.

What is lost when a case is closed before rehabilitation is complete

When a case is closed prematurely:

• The number of days of injury is undervalued
• Permanent disabilities are not recognized
• Aesthetic damages (scars, visible limitations) are ignored
• The possibility of review is lost

Once the closure is signed, reopening the case is extremely difficult.

The key role of the medical expert

A medical expert is not there to exaggerate injuries. Their role is to:

• Analyze the actual clinical evolution
• Assess objective permanent disabilities
• Medically link the injury to the accident
• Provide technical support for the compensation claim

In complex claims, their intervention makes the difference between symbolic compensation and fair compensation.

Cases Where Injuries Are Most Undervalued

In our experience, this happens especially when:

• The vehicle is paid off quickly, and the medical claim is "delayed"
• The claim is totaled
• The accident occurs in a mass casualty event (such as a DANA storm or floods)
• The injured party tries to return to work quickly
• The initial symptoms are not properly explained

This is where the most money is lost without the injured party even realizing it.

Not Everything Is Black and White

Injuries aren't an exact science.

There are gray areas, uneven recovery, and personal factors.

Therefore, a fair assessment requires time, follow-up, and technical expertise, not haste.

Conclusion

Closing a personal injury claim prematurely is one of the most costly mistakes an injured party can make.

Compensation should not be based on haste, but on the medical reality.

If you are still in rehabilitation, have persistent symptoms, or have doubts about the assessment you received, it is essential to review your file before accepting a final settlement.