There are many reasonable steps victims can take to help lessen their damages, such as going to the hospital soon after a car crash. If you wait to seek treatment, your injuries could get worse, which could inflate the value of your claim. If you had taken the reasonable step of not waiting to get treatment, you may have had fewer medical expenses.
Following up with your treatment is also considered a reasonable step. For example, when you first see a doctor after a crash, he or she may recommend seeing a specialist or going in for testing. The doctor may want you to come in for a follow-up appointment to see how you are doing and take note of any new or worsening symptoms.
Mitigation of damages also means not getting treatment that is unnecessary, as this adds more damages to your injury claim. Unnecessary treatment may also include expensive treatment, especially if less costly treatment is available.
If doctors do not recommend surgery, getting surgery anyway could be considered failure to mitigate damages.
You are not required to take every step imaginable to reduce your damages. You only need to take steps that are considered reasonable.