Medical Records to Collect & Keep

Medical Records to Collect & Keep

After you’ve been injured, or a loved one killed, because of the negligence and recklessness of another person, corporation, or property owner, your relevant medical records are critically important.

When it becomes time to file an insurance claim or pursue a personal injury civil lawsuit, documentation of your medical diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and expenses is necessary in order to calculate and recover monetary damages for your injuries. The more detailed, specific, and comprehensive your medical records are, the greater your chance of winning a fair monetary settlement is.

Extensive Medical Records Are Imperative for Successful Claim Negotiation and Litigation

Your medical records are evidence and should include, if applicable, the following documents and reports:

▪ Ambulance EMT intervention report
▪ Emergency room records
▪ Medical diagnosis and treatment
▪ Prognosis, short- and long-term
▪ A recommended course of treatment
▪ Physician’s notes
▪ Record of treatment pain you experienced
▪ Explanation of your emotional trauma
▪ Physician -predicted necessary future medical treatment
▪ Predicted need for physical and occupational therapy
▪ Copies of all medical bills
▪ Physician -documented future medical bills
▪ Professionally estimated, written future medical bills
▪ Psychiatric or psychology reports
▪ Current and future bills for necessary medical apparatus
▪ In-home nursing care expenses

In the event your loved one has been killed in an accident, the applicable above documentation is also necessary, including the deceased’s funeral expenses.

Keep a Journal for Personal Injury Claims

As you begin your recovery, if you are able, journal how you feel, including your pain and emotional state because of your injuries and trauma. Also, attend all doctor appointments and receive all recommended treatment and rehabilitation. Not following through with these suggestions, may negatively impact your case.

Medical Records Are Evidence for Personal Injury Cases

To win a fair monetary settlement for your injuries and pain and suffering, or to be compensated for a loved one’s wrongful death, every medical document available is necessary to settle an insurance claim or win a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The insurance company’s adjustors, medical experts, and attorneys will require your medical records before they will consider settling a claim. Should your damages require pursuit of a personal injury claim in a civil court, the prosecution is entitled to your medical records to assess damages and prepare their case. Of course, your attorney will also need these documents to prepare a vigorous defense on your behalf.

When we meet with you in one of our Shreveport, Bossier City, or Mansfield offices, please bring as many of your records as possible. But if you don’t have all your records and documentation and don’t know how to acquire them, we can help.

FREE CONSULTATION, NO UP-FRONT COST for Personal Injury Cases

Meeting with a Gordon & Gordon attorney is free. And if we agree to work together, we’ll never charge you a penny until we win your case.

To speak personally with one of Gordon & Gordon Law Firm’s experienced Shreveport, Bossier City, or Mansfield personal injury attorneys, call 318.716.HELP (318.716.4357) today.