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Importance of Medical Documentation when Filing a Personal Injury Case

August 14, 2024 
by LA Injury Group

Medical Reports In Personal Injury Claims - The truth is that personal injury cases often follow accidents. Personal injuries may be severe, and they are characterized by the evident injury and loss accrued in such an event. It is important for us as humans to ensure that such victims get compensated adequately or at least enough money so their life can continue its course without any major setbacks. One way through which this can happen is if we hire top personal injury attorneys who will review all medical documentation before coming up with strategies towards making our client’s case stronger than ever before seen in courtrooms across America today!

Importance of Medical Documentation in Personal Injury Claims

Understanding the Importance of Medical Documentation 

Why exactly are these records important in a personal injury claim? The part played by the legal paperwork from a hospital helps to come to an agreement on the possible compensation. When an individual is harmed in an accident due to negligence by the at-fault party, it is important that victims can receive ideal treatment to full recovery. This can only be done by providing documents that are precise and thus the importance of documentation. 

The Role of Medical Documentation in Personal Injury Claims

Reports from health centers and doctors play a vital role in a personal injury claim. The following pointers will help you to better understand why you need all necessary paper work in an effort to build your case.  

Providing proof of harm caused from the incident

First and foremost, you must start by proving that you were harmed (pain and suffering). Some people are lucky enough to walk away without even a scratch whereas other are not as fortunate and the extent of the damages can be fatal. Without any evidence, there is no case to start with and you cannot receive compensation. With proper evidence, the defense cannot dispute the claim.  

Indicating the severity of injuries

Specific examinations from a health center show the severity of injuries. It is easy to look at someone complaining of back pain after an accident only to discover that the pain is not just due to a muscle cramp but from a backbone fracture. These two scenarios show that the impact is different and the treatment options will vary and that the cost implications will be very different therefore, affecting the compensation requirements. 

Relating a link between the accident and the injuries

To receive compensation, you must proof that the injuries you have are directly linked to the accident in question. A report from a doctor will provide details on the nature of the injuries and indicate the possible time or age of the wounds to prove that the incident was truly the reason behind the harm caused. 

To establish the need for ongoing treatment

Depending on the intensity on the injuries in question, some fatal injuries may require on-going treatment before full recovery. A doctor will determine the long-term impact of the victim’s injuries. In some cases, an individual may need to undergo repeat therapy, and others may need to visit the doctor at a specific interval for a specific period. This factor must be put into consideration for a fair settlement to be actualized. 

Calculating compensation and damages

With accurate reports from a health center, your attorney with the help of other experts will be able to draft and calculate for damages in accordance with personal injury cases. They not only look at the already incurred costs but they also project any future bills. 

Practical Advice 

  • The sooner you gather all documentation, the stronger you can build your personal injury claim because the evidence is still fresh. 
  • Avoid over the counter (OTC) self-medication because it will be difficult to link it to the harm from the accident. 
  • File your claim soon after the accident so that your attorney can help you to identify the crucial requirements on-time. 

Types of Medical Documentation 

There are different types of reports from a hospital that will help build a strong case in a personal injury case. These include: 

Hospital Bills 

These bills refer to the invoices obtained in a hospital that arise after an unfortunate incident. The invoices in this category may arise from hospital stay, medications, visits, as well as rehabilitation.  

Medical/Rehabilitation Records 

These records refer to the documents that indicate the treatment you underwent after the accident from all healthcare providers. These include an analysis of the diagnosis and suggested treatment. Rehabilitation records indicate the need and process of physical therapy as well as other rehabilitation needs. This record will also indicate the progress of your recovery. 

Reports from an expert(s)

After an accident, the first thing would be to receive first aid at the site. However, it does not end there. Following such a circumstance, it is crucial to visit an expert who can analyze the severity of the injuries and the possible need for repeat hospital visitation.  

Image Study Records 

Image records such as X-Rays and Commuted Tomography (CT) scan can come in handy in proving the severity of the injuries. Copies of such paper work are crucial in determining any future medical requirements and bills.

Medication/Prescription records

You can to account for all the medication you received after the accident as part of your treatment. This is because some of the medication may be for recurring treatment over a long period. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the purpose of an attorney when obtaining medical documentation

A: A personal injury attorney plays an important role when gathering your documentation to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation. Your attorney will guide you through the process and in cases where the victim suffered severe injuries, he or she can move around on your behalf. Not only can you obtain records but your lawyer can also help you to obtain the records fast. 

Q: Are previous medical records useful for my case? 

A: This is purely dependent on whether the defense claims that you had underlying health concerns that they cannot cater for as part of the compensation. While previous records may not be required from the onset of the case, it is crucial to have them when the need arises. For example, an individual may have had a previous knee injury and during the accident, the impact of the accident caused other complications. In such a case, the insurance company may seek to avoid making pay with the claim that the accident did not cause the injury. 

Q: Is self-medication a part of the required documentation? 

A: There are instances where individuals have to self-medicate in times of an emergency. For example, one may buy some medication in times of an emergency night before they can access a hospital. If you can prove that the medication was related to the injuries with the help of a medical expert, then you may be able to receive compensation. 

Q: What is the role of medical documentation in a personal injury case? 

A: In a personal injury claim, a report is crucial for a number of reasons which include providing evidence of your injuries as well as helping to quote a fair and just compensation. Remember: You cannot claim more than you are proof is due to you and without proper documentation, you cannot build a case. 

Q: How can I obtain medical records? 

A: Obtaining the records is progressive starting by requesting for copies of the records from your healthcare providers. Organize all documents as you collect them, more preferably in a file or folder to make it easier to present it during the hearing. Every step of the way, consult with your attorney to ensure that all requirements are in place. Finally, keep a record of all communication channels between you, insurance companies, all health care providers as well as your attorney. 

Medical Documentation in Personal Injury Claims - Conclusion

Documentation from medical reports is crucial in personal injury cases especially in ensuring that you receive fair and just compensation. By simply proving that the accident caused your injuries, and then you can receive compensation to recover financially which will in-turn allows you to have peace of mind. In other circumstances, the victim may not be able to cater for the medical bills in the long-term. However, by involving a lawyer, you will be able to complete your treatment by obtaining compensation which will cater for future treatment options and medication. Consult with a personal injury attorney to help you identify all the relevant medical documents to strengthen your case.  

References 

Allison Grady. (2005). The Importance of Standard Care and Documentation. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/importance-standard-care-and-documentation/2005-11 Chang, Yun et. al.,(2017). Journal of Empirical Legal Studies: Pain and Suffering Damages in Persona Injury Cases. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/225478192.pdf

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