If you have sustained injuries in an accident caused by another person’s fault or wrongdoing, you may want to fight for your legal right by filing a personal injury lawsuit. This lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for your injuries and resulting losses. But insurers won’t make a payout if your injuries are not clearly described. Official medical documentation shows the nature and extent of your injuries. A Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP personal injury attorney knows how to use medical documentation to strengthen your personal injury claim.
Hildebrand & Wilson, LLC
7930 Broadway St., Ste 122
Pearland, TX 77581
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Supporting Your Claim with Medical Documentation
A personal injury claim is your chance to secure monetary compensation for the following:
- Medical bills. Your doctors must show that your medical treatment was necessary for your injuries. Also, they must link your injuries to the accident, so you can get medical bill reimbursement.
- Lost wages. Your doctor’s documentation can demonstrate that you cannot return to work because of your injuries. This allows you to get compensated for wages you lost while you recover from your injuries.
- Pain and suffering. The opinion of your doctor about the mental and physical challenges you face because of your injuries can help you seek a monetary award for your pain and suffering.
Supporting the Details of the Accident
If the other party disputes how the accident occurred and who was responsible for it, medical documentation can help establish a true account. Your medical examinations may present facts that can prove the other party’s story is not true. In addition, a consistent version of how the accident happened can be recorded during your first medical appointment. This will show you never waivered or altered anything about this version.
How Not Having Medical Records Can Harm Your Claim
Although comprehensive medical records benefit your injury claim, records that lack detail or show significant gaps in treatment may not help your claim. Your personal injury attorney needs documentation of your injuries and medical treatments to present a solid case. Without strong medical documentation, the amount of compensation you can be awarded can be affected. Also, it can undermine your claim’s credibility by serving as a counter to the attempts of the at-fault party to reduce the seriousness of your injuries.
Kinds of Medical Documentation
Below are various kinds of medical reports that will help build a personal injury case:
- Hospital bills. These include hospital invoices related to your injuries. They can arise from hospital stays, visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Medical and rehabilitation records. Medical records indicate the medical treatment you received following the accident. Rehabilitation records detail the need for physical therapy and the process involved along with other rehabilitation needs. Also, these documents show your recovery progress.
- Expert reports. Following an accident, you want to get first aid right away. Then, you must see a doctor who can evaluate your condition and determine the seriousness of your injuries. Also, the doctor can analyze the need for regular hospital visits.
- Image study records. X-rays, CT scans, and other image records can prove the seriousness of your injuries. You need copies of these records to determine future medical bills and requirements.
Seeking Legal Expertise to Strengthen Your Injury Case
Although medical evidence supports your case, having a skilled personal injury attorney on your side ensures you have access to these records. Also, your attorney will make sure these records won’t fall into the wrong hands. They can help collect, present, and interpret the necessary medical evidence for your case. They are aware of the nuances of your injury law and can communicate the importance of medical records to the insurance provider or the court.
