I haven't ever been in an accident and have no problem with them having my recent history, or my past either, but there is some history that is personal and private (gynecology appts and so on) and don't see why they would need it all. I was wondering if this is the norm or if I should seek out an attorney or what.
2007-06-26 03:26:24 · 10 answers · asked by Lu 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It is the other driver's insurance asking for the medical history. She was at fault, and takes blame. She said she wasn't watching me and didn't even realize I was stopping because she was looking at the floorboard!
2007-06-26 08:28:43 · update #1
Don't walk, RUN to hire an attorney and DON'T release any of your medical information to anyone. DON'T SIGN ANY PAPERS, not even one. Other than your driving record, they don't need any of your history. They're trying to prevent you from receiving any compensation so don't fall for it.
I assume it's the other party's insurance company or attorney who is trying to obtain your information. DON'T DO IT! By law you aren't required to provide it. Tell them they'll have to talk to your attorney to get information. Then DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD TO THEM.
I know what I'm talking about because I went through the same thing when a woman T-boned my car and broke my neck. Her insurance company called me at home and told me there was nothing wrong with me. I had to have 4 discs in my neck cleaned up and fused and 2 discs were removed and spent about a month in the hospital.
Watch out for private investigators hired by the other insurance company. They may be following you with a camcorder or talking to your neighbors. They did it to me and one of my neighbors actually gave me the investigator's business card.
2007-06-26 03:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Laredo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who is they? The doctors you are visiting or the insurance company? If it is the doctor's, it's valid for them to ask. Most of them use a standard form and there are things on them that have nothing to do with their area of medicine. I would just put the info if it is at a doc but if you are uncomfortable with it, put a note on there and then talk to the doctor about why you feel you don't need to disclose that info to them.
I'm not a legal professional but I have been to MANY doctors and seen many of those forms.
If it's the insurance company then I would definitely talk to an attorney. You may need one anyway if you weren't at fault and need to be compensated from the person who caused the accident.
2007-06-26 03:31:35 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you sign that little piece of paper...it only gives them permission to look at ALL of your past medical history, but your current and future history until the day you die.
DO NOT SIGN IT!
If you can get ahold of another release form then do so...make sure that you are the one who puts in the dates for medical information.
Call a lawyer...even the ones on tv will be helpful
2007-06-26 03:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by Jessi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you are doing this WITHOUT an attorney? It's called they are setting you up to be the scapegoat. Hire an attorney FAST and have the attorney interface with everyone for you. They have ZERO need for anything other than your recent medical history, and have ZERO need for your more private medical items, unless they can show IN COURT why those records are necessary.
2007-06-26 03:30:10 · answer #4 · answered by MrKnowItAll 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should definitely consult an attorney. They can certainly get any history related to areas you are now claiming an injury to. Beyond that would be improper. Did you initiate suit already? Or is this just insurance claims?
2007-06-26 03:30:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely get an attorney. No, they can't get all of your past medical history. They must be specific in their request. In fact, your auto insurance company should appoint an attorney for you if you have full coverage. If not, just look in the phone book.
2007-06-26 03:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Get an attorney. While it is normal for them to want to ensure that you have no prior history of injuries of the same nature that you might be trying to pin onto them, they have no right to see everything that is unrelated. You can let them, but you do not have to if you don't want to.
2007-06-26 04:36:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's normal. They are looking for a way to deny responsibility for your injury. They are looking for any way possible to avoid or at least delay paying you. That's their job.
Get an attorney. Just having one will make them a little less zealous about their jobs.
2007-06-26 03:37:22 · answer #8 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This happened to me. I had a spinal cord injury and they needed to see my previous medical records to determine if I had it prior to the accident. If you show your records to them, you're proving that your injuries were sustained from the accident and they'll cover it. Requesting all of your medical history sounds excessive, but it depends on the injuries that you have from the accident.
2007-06-26 03:29:48 · answer #9 · answered by guess 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
While I agree that seeking an attorney is correct, why have you not filed a claim with your insurance who will provide you with one?
Also, what exactly is the document they sent asking for this information? Is it a letter, a summons or a subpoena?
2007-06-26 03:35:30 · answer #10 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋