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Why Medical Records Are Important to Your Case

Why Medical Records Are Important to Your Case

Medical records are extremely vital to your case. Attorneys work very hard to acquire medical records because these documents can make or break a personal injury claim. These records serve as key evidence to demonstrate how a negligent party contributed to your injuries. Also, medical records show what type of injuries you sustained and highlight the extent of your injuries. Compiling medical records may seem like an overwhelming process, especially when you are focusing on healing. But a seasoned attorney from The Lake Law Firm can assist you in obtaining medical records to prove your case. 

What Count as Medical Records?

Medical records include several types of information compiled by healthcare providers over time. Doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, and psychologists can contribute to your medical record history. Below you can find some examples of medical records, including, but not limited to: 

  • X-rays
  • Prescriptions
  • Surgical records
  • Diagnoses 
  • Discharge notes
  • Emergency room records

Medical Records Explain Your Injuries 

Medical records establish what exactly caused your injuries. The negligent party may attempt to argue that you had prior health conditions or that they did not contribute to your injuries. However, medical records shed light on how you developed your injuries. Let’s say you used a defective product that harmed you. The proper medical records can exhibit that you sustained injuries from the faulty device and explain the specific injuries you suffered due to the product. 

For example, our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of those harmed by 3M earplugs. Claimants allege that the earplugs possessed a design failure that caused users to develop hearing loss. With medical records, our attorneys can reveal that clients did not suffer hearing loss or tinnitus prior to using the earplugs. Our attorneys can establish a causal link between the 3M earplugs and hearing conditions through medical records. 

Medical Records to Establish Losses From Injury 

Not only do medical records prove your injuries, but these documents also paint a picture of how the injuries affected your life. Many individuals resort to the emergency room, hospital stays, expert consultations, surgery, and physical therapy to remedy their injuries. Unfortunately, these necessary expenditures quickly add up, and soon victims are left swimming in medical costs. Also, despite taking corrective actions to fix your injury, medical records show that you may still have injuries that require future expenses. Therefore, medical records signify the economic damages you have endured because of your injuries and display that you are still recovering. Furthermore, medical records may indicate that you are advised not to or exempt from working due to the extent of your injuries. This can help you acquire compensation for loss of wages in addition to past and future medical expenses.  

Medical records are not only used to describe economic damages. These documents reveal the pain and suffering you may have undergone. Pain and suffering refer to any physical or mental anguish you suffer after your accident. Bodily and emotional injuries can negatively impact your quality of life. These injuries are sometimes long-term or even permanent and completely alter how you live your life. Pain and suffering can prevent you from enjoying activities you once cherished, returning to work, spending time with family, and so on. 

Enlist The Lake Law Firm to Obtain Your Medical Records

Here at The Lake Law Firm, we understand that everyone’s priority after an accident is healing. Trudging through the process of obtaining your medical records while trying to get better can sound intimidating. You must divert your time and energy to your recovery rather than trying to figure out how to request these records. Our attorneys have the necessary experience to secure your medical records. Your lawsuit has a better chance of success with a complete collection of medical records that display the injuries you suffered. Courts often consider medical records as strong evidence that authenticate your claims and establish who is at fault.