8 Ways Medical Records Can Help You Build a Strong Case

Personal injury claims are often emotionally and physically taxing experiences. According to the CDC, there were 40 million emergency department visits – which included those for injury, poisoning, and adverse effects of medical treatment – in 2021. As you can see, personal injury claims arise when someone is harmed due to the negligence or intentional actions of another. These cases involve incidents ranging from car accidents to slip and fall injuries. While personal injury verdicts often make headlines, very few people understand the meticulous planning they require. A successful claim hinges on your legal team’s ability to present a compelling case. To do this, you need experienced and competent attorneys like those at Lermitte & Lubin.

Types of Medical Records Needed for a Personal Injury Claim

Naturally, you will need different types of medical records for your personal injury claim. The list of this evidence will change depending on the circumstances of your case.

#1. Hospital Records

• Admission and Discharge Summaries: Hospital admission and discharge summaries are crucial components of personal injury claims. They provide a concise overview of your condition upon entering and leaving the facility. Also, these summaries outline initial assessments, treatments administered, and recommendations for ongoing care.
• Emergency Room Reports: Emergency room reports capture immediate medical responses. As a result, they offer vital insights into the initial aftermath of an accident. These reports detail injuries sustained and the immediate treatments provided. But most importantly, they set the foundation for understanding the severity and urgency of the situation you were in.

#2. Physician Notes

• Consultation Notes: Physician consultation notes are a comprehensive record of conversations between healthcare providers and the patient (you). These notes document discussions on your symptoms, examinations, and proposed treatment plans. So, these notes are a critical part of your personal injury claim medical records.
• Progress Reports: Progress reports provide an ongoing account of your healing process. These records offer a chronological overview of your treatments, improvements, and setbacks. There is no better way for a comprehensive assessment of your overall health and what the damages need to cover in order to help you.

#3. Diagnostic Test Results

• X-rays, MRIs, CT Scans: Imaging test results, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, provide visual evidence of injuries sustained during an accident. These diagnostic tools offer a detailed insight into the extent and nature of your physical trauma. They can establish a direct link between the accident and your resulting medical condition.
• Lab Test Results: Lab test results, including blood tests and other analyses, contribute to the overall understanding of your health. These results help identify underlying conditions, measure the impact of your injuries, and provide quantitative data. In short, they strengthen your personal injury case.

Get Detailed and Accurate Medical Documentation

Your medical records related to your personal injury need to be as detailed as possible. Detailed records can help process your claim faster. Here’s what you should know:

#1. Ensure Accuracy in Medical Records

• Include Patients in Record-Keeping: Active involvement in record-keeping empowers patients to contribute valuable insights. You can maintain a personal log of symptoms, treatments, and changes in health. Consider this a collaborative effort.
• Promptly Report Symptoms and Changes: Timely reporting of your symptoms and changes helps to ensure accuracy. Prompt reporting can help ensure that your medical information is documented promptly. It will prevent oversight and mistakes in your records.

#2. Address Gaps or Inconsistencies in Your Medical Records

• Communicate with Your Healthcare Providers: Open and transparent communication is at the heart of your claim. You should actively engage with your healthcare providers to clarify details and correct errors. Your personal injury attorney needs error-free and detailed records to strengthen your claim.

• Obtain Supplementary Documentation: Obtain supplementary documentation if you see gaps or inconsistencies in your records. This may include seeking additional medical opinions, witness statements, and/or analyses to fill in the blanks. It will further solidify the foundation of your case.

How to Gather and Organize Medical Records for Your Personal Injury Case

As a leading personal injury attorney, we often recommend that our clients gather and organize their medical records. It helps build a strong case, increasing the chances of a successful settlement. Here’s what you can do:

#1. Request Your Complete Medical Records

First, request comprehensive medical records from all relevant healthcare providers. Also, be sure the requested medical records cover the immediate post-accident treatment as well as any pre-existing conditions that might have been affected.

#2. Organize Them in Chronological Order

Create a timeline by organizing your medical records chronologically. This chronological order helps you and your personal injury attorney understand your injuries, treatments, and recovery. This structured presentation makes it easier to identify cause-and-effect relationships.

#3. Record Your Symptoms and Recovery Milestones

Maintain a personal account of your symptoms and recovery milestones. Record in detail how your injuries have impacted your daily life, activities, and emotional well-being. This personal documentation can enhance the overall narrative of your case. It serves as a powerful complement to your official medical records.

How Lawyers Use Your Personal Injury Claim’s Medical Records?

Your personal injury attorney needs medical records to build your case. From creating a narrative to determining the extent of your damages, records remain at the crux of your claim.

#1. Build a Narrative for Your Case

Our lawyers will rely on medical records to build a compelling narrative. We can carefully examine the sequence of events, injuries sustained, and treatments received. These pieces of information can clearly illustrate the cause-and-effect relationship. This narrative establishes liability in your personal injury case.

#2. Demonstrate Your Extent of Damages

Concrete medical evidence is critical in demonstrating the extent of your damages. Our lawyers can analyze medical records to quantify the physical and emotional toll of your injuries. This thorough examination allows us to present how the injuries have altered your quality of life, earning capacity, and overall well-being.

#3. Support Your Claim for Compensation

Medical records serve as a crucial support system for claims seeking compensation. Our lawyers can use these records to align the documented injuries and treatments with the financial compensation you seek. As you can see, detailed and accurate medical documentation strengthens your argument for compensation.

Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Lermitte & Lubin, LLC

Medical records are not mere paperwork; they are the tangible evidence that tells your story. From emergency room reports to detailed physician notes, each document helps build a strong personal injury claim. These records establish the link between the incident and your injuries. They also provide a foundation for seeking fair compensation. So, remember that you should actively maintain accurate medical records and help strengthen your claim. Need to file a personal injury claim? Our skilled lawyers can help. Contact us today to learn more.