Any time you are injured due to negligence, you have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit. To build a successful claim, one of the most important pieces of evidence you need are your medical records. After you are seen by a doctor and receive treatment, you need to get a copy of all your medical records that pertain to your injuries from the accident. There are some steps you need to take to ensure you have all the medical evidence for your claim. Here is what you need to know.
How Do Medical Records Help Your Case?
When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, the type of injury will have an impact on your case and subsequent medical records. If you are hurt in a car accident, you should seek treatment right afterward to help prove your injury. The timing of your medical visit will be on your records and proves the injuries were likely caused by the car accident. Your medical records should include the severity of your injuries, the treatment you received, how much your treatment costs, and the length of your stay if you were admitted to the hospital.
If your accident and injury were due to the malpractice of a medical provider, your best option is to immediately retain a medical malpractice attorney. They will request the medical records pertaining to the treatment you received that resulted in your injuries. You will also need to see additional medical providers to determine the extent of your injuries to help make the case of where your former provider mistreated you. This means you will have two sets of medical records to contend with.
How Can You Get Your Medical Records?
By law, you are entitled to a copy of your medical records from any facility which treats you. You can ask the medical records office at the facility for your records. However, you need to know which records are necessary for your case. Your attorney is the best resource for this information. To receive your records, you will likely have to make a written request that allows the facility to release the records to either yourself or your attorney. If you are filing with the negligent party's insurance company, you may have to fill out additional paperwork for the records to be released to the insurance carrier.
What Should Be Included in Your Medical Records?
Some of the most common records you should request include any bills for your treatment, notes made by the provider, records of your stay in the hospital and the type of treatment you received, surgical notes, medication information, and receipts.
Reach out to an accident lawyer to learn more.
