Treatment Gap Calculator

A treatment gap is a period of time between two medical visits where the patient received no care. In personal injury litigation, treatment gaps are critical because defense attorneys use them to argue that the plaintiff's injuries were not serious or have resolved.

A gap does not automatically mean a case is weak. There are legitimate reasons for gaps — scheduling issues, insurance delays, or the patient managing pain at home. But undocumented gaps give the defense room to challenge causation and damages.

Causation challenges: A 60-day gap between an ER visit and the first follow-up gives the defense ammunition to argue the injury was minor or unrelated.

Damages reduction: Gaps in physical therapy or pain management can be used to reduce the value of future medical expenses in a demand.

Pre-existing conditions: Long gaps before treatment begins can blur the line between a pre-existing condition and the incident-related injury.

By identifying and documenting treatment gaps early, plaintiff attorneys can address them proactively — either by explaining the gap or by ensuring the medical record supports continued treatment.