What would you do if you had a serious injury that was getting worse? You would see a professional and get it checked out, right?

While those with injuries from car accidents or other serious ailments know it is important to get help, this is proving to be a challenge for some during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consider some of the following situations patients are facing:

• If a patient of a clinic reports a COVID symptom following a visit, the clinic may be forced to shut down for two weeks even if the virus was acquired elsewhere. Such a shutdown disrupts care for all of that clinic’s patients. If you cannot access care consistently, your road to recovery will be much longer.
  
  
• Some treatment plans require attendant care. However, if you or your care provider are quarantined, or if your care provider is not working to avoid potential spread of the virus to family members, this will affect your ability to get the care you need.
  
  
• Establishing a treatment plan following an injury could involve an assessment from your insurance company. These assessments often must be in person.

With these obstacles, many injured patients are finding it difficult to adhere to their treatment plans. For those who are injured in a car accident who suffer a non-catastrophic injury, this situation is a double whammy as they have a five-year window to access their treatment funding. These service disruptions make it harder to access the care they need.

What can you do to help keep your treatment plan on track?

Have a backup

If your existing treatment provider cannot continue meeting or supporting you, engage a back-up provider. This may be easier said than done given the pressures the system is under, but your existing care provider may be able to provide you with a referral. You may also wish to speak to your health care provider(s) about whether your medication mix should change to cover potential gaps in treatment.

DIY?

If you’re currently meeting with a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or similar professional, you may have some stretches, exercises, and other activities you can do on your own at home. Obviously, this will not work for everyone. You should consult your healthcare provider before you engage in a self-guided regimen.

Go virtual

Ask your providers if your treatment activities and meetings can be shifted online. By minimizing potential exposure to COVID-19, you decrease the likelihood you need to quarantine or experience a disruption in treatment.

Be proactive

If you are infected with COVID-19, or if you have reason to suspect you are, inform your care providers as soon as possible so your care plan can be adapted and your care can remain on track.

When you’re healthy, you have many dreams. When you’re sick, you have just one. While COVID-19 has made getting proper treatment more challenging, there are still ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue building yourself back up following a serious injury.

About the Author: 

Gavin joined Bergeron Clifford in the summer of 2009 and is now a partner with our firm.

Gavin is a proud member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, the Frontenac Law Association, the County of Carleton Law Association, The Advocates’ Society, and the County of Lanark Law Association. He represents innocent victims of negligence in auto cases, medical malpractice and negligence cases. Know more