Why Are Medical Records Important to a Personal Injury Case?
Understanding why medical records are important to a personal injury case could help you get the compensation you are entitled to after an accident. These documents could enable an attorney to prove the extent of your losses and establish a link between an accident and your injuries. Read on to learn more about medical records and the role they play in a successful claim.
Medical Records Could Establish Causation
To win your personal injury case, you must prove that the accident or event caused your injury. It is not enough to simply demonstrate that you were hurt, because the opposing party may argue that your injuries were pre-existent. Detailed medical records could link your injuries directly to the incident by detailing the time between the accident and when you sought treatment.
Medical Records Reinforce Credibility
One of the best ways to ensure a positive outcome for your personal injury case is to strengthen your credibility and support your account of the events that caused your injuries. Medical records do just this.
Your doctor likely documented their professional opinion of your condition, which could be used in court. Expert testimony could prove that the injuries you sustained, such as whiplash, were consistent with the accident. These documents could also avoid refuting claims by the other party’s insurance adjuster.
Medical Records Could Prove Injury Severity
Detailed medical records could also validate the severity of your injuries. A medical professional’s diagnosis and prescribed treatment plan that notes any ongoing limitation may be just what you need to recover compensation in your personal injury case.
After a collision, many accident victims need multiple doctor visits or even long-term care. Medical documentation can show the need for treatments such as physical therapy, chronic pain medication, or surgery, while also detailing the injury’s persistent nature and impact on your quality of life.
Medical Records Could Help Determine Damages
A key element to every personal injury claim is accurately determining damages. Medical records could account for hospital bills and the cost of future healthcare-related services, while justifying lost wages due to injury and treatment. This tangible evidence is often necessary to substantiate your ongoing financial needs due to pain and disability, in addition to the immediate treatments post-accident.
Discuss Your Medical Records With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Medical records are important to a personal injury case because these documents increase the likelihood of securing fair compensation. Now that you know more about the subject, contact Tomeny | Best for a free consultation. Our team of skilled personal injury lawyers could explain your rights and guide you through the next steps of this complex legal process.