Why Your Past Medical History Matters: Protecting Your Injury Claim

Insurance Companies Know More About You Than You Think

When you file an injury claim, you might be shocked to learn how much information insurance adjusters can access about your medical history. This knowledge can make or break your case.

The Databases They’re Searching (Without Telling You)

Insurance companies have access to powerful databases that reveal:

• Your previous accidents and injuries
• All insurance claims you’ve ever filed
• Doctors and hospitals you’ve visited
• Settlement amounts from past claims
• Even your Social Security number and past addresses

Why Hiding Past Injuries Always Backfires

Many people think they should downplay or hide previous injuries. Here’s why that’s the worst thing you can do:

1. They’ll find out anyway – Modern insurance adjusters have better search tools than police officers
2. It destroys your credibility – Once caught in a lie, everything else you say becomes questionable
3. It reduces your compensation – Adjusters will attribute your current pain to previous injuries

What To Do Instead: Complete Honesty from Day One

The moment you meet with your attorney, disclose:

• ALL previous accidents, even minor ones
• ALL previous injuries, especially to the same body parts
• ALL previous insurance claims
• ALL surgeries or medical procedures

Your attorney isn’t judging you – they need this information to build effective strategies to protect your case.

How Past Injuries Can Actually Help Your Case

With proper handling, previous injuries can sometimes strengthen your claim:

• If you fully recovered from a previous injury, it shows your current pain is new
• It establishes a baseline for your “normal” condition before the accident
• It demonstrates you’re not exaggerating when you say “this pain is different”

The Bottom Line: Prepare, Don’t Hide

Insurance companies invest heavily in finding your medical history. Your best strategy is to disclose everything to your attorney so they can prepare for what the insurance company will discover.

Remember: I can work with your medical history, but only if I know about it from the beginning. Many things in your history may not be relevant!