Why “First Appointments” Are So Important
Defense adjusters look closely at the gap between the incident date and the first documented treatment. Long gaps invite arguments about causation, pre-existing conditions, or “symptoms that weren’t serious.”
- Shorter gaps reduce arguments about whether the injury is related.
- Early treatment captures pain levels and functional limits before the client starts “pushing through it.”
- Scheduling quickly signals that the attorney is organized and on top of the case.
Where Firms Lose Time
Lost days usually happen between intake and the first call to a provider. Staff are juggling existing cases, providers are hard to reach, and your client is at home Googling their own options.
Every additional day without a set appointment is a day the client can:
- Decide they “feel better” and skip care entirely.
- See a random provider who doesn’t understand liens.
- Get frustrated and start calling your office for updates.
Using a Lien-Based Network to Close the Gap
When you work with a curated lien network, you aren’t starting from scratch on each new case. You already know which providers take liens, what they treat, and how to reach them.
LIENEX firms typically:
- Lock in first appointments within 24–48 hours of intake.
- Match clients to the right specialist instead of whoever answers first.
- Reduce the number of “where is my doctor?” calls from anxious clients.
Quick audit for your intake team
Look at your last 10 files. How many days passed between signed representation and the first medical appointment? That number is a simple lever you can move to improve both outcomes and case value.
What Great Partners Do Differently
The best lien-based providers understand exactly what PI firms need:
- Fast scheduling with clear expectations and directions for the client.
- Notes that document mechanism of injury, onset of pain, and functional impact.
- Follow-up plans that keep clients compliant without constant law office reminders.
When that first appointment is handled well, everything downstream in your file gets easier: negotiations, mediation, even trial prep.