Many calculators assume a case follows a generic pattern. Sterling cases often don’t. Residents may delay care while working, may switch providers after moving, or may rely on urgent care and follow-up scheduling that doesn’t always line up neatly with the original timeline.
That matters because insurers typically look for:
- Gaps in treatment (for example, delays between symptoms and evaluation)
- Conflicting documentation across different facilities
- Causation questions—whether the harm was actually caused by the negligent care or by something else
Even if your medical bills are substantial, a settlement may still be reduced if the defense argues the injury was not caused by the provider’s actions or that later care changed the outcome.


