You may have heard about medical records in personal injury claims in Texas and wondered why they are important. Medical documentation is vital to securing a favorable outcome to personal injury claims. From a minor slip-and-fall to a fatal crash, this documentation will strengthen your claim.
Official medical records demonstrate the extent of the injuries you suffered and what they cost you. “You need more than word of mouth to convince insurance companies of the true value of your personal injury claim,” says Attorney Felix Gonzalez from the Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm.
With well-written medical records, you most likely won’t need to justify your position. Let’s examine the various kinds of medical records and the reasons they are crucial to a Texas personal injury claim.
The Different Types of Medical Records You Can Get
Medical records encompass a wide variety of aspects, but they have different merits and weightage in your claim. There are different types of medical documents, each offering insights into the injuries you sustained.
Each of these medical documents demonstrates the impact of the accident on your quality of life. Here are the main medical documents you should obtain for your claim:
ER Records
In most cases, accident victims receive immediate medical attention; seek these evaluations even if you do not have immediately noticeable symptoms. Typically, you receive this medical attention in the emergency room (ER), and there will be records of it. Your ER records are the first form of evidence you require to substantiate your injuries.
Specialist Consultation Records
If you sustained severe injuries, say a spinal cord injury, you most likely have to see a specialist. A specialist’s evaluation is particularly important to help you learn more about your injuries and how to treat them. Meanwhile, this visitation will furnish you with records, which will be crucial evidence items needed for your claim.
Tests and Results
If your doctor recommends you take diagnostic tests such as MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans, you should take them. The essence of these further tests is to substantiate your injuries and provide a more profound understanding of them. Keep track of your tests, as they will affect your personal injury claim.
Treatment Plans
Every record of every treatment you undergo for your injuries is vital; therefore, ensure you keep them diligently. That includes treatments such as surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and everything else you had to undergo to recover your health. Even if your treatment only involved taking medications or consulting a mental health specialist, ensure you keep those records.
Follow-Up Notes
Many patients fail to honor follow-up invitations from their doctors, mostly because they feel there is no need. However, follow-up visits are vital in ensuring your health progresses as desired; they help your doctor (and you) track your recovery.
For example, if you develop complications or have long-term issues due to the accident, these follow-up visits will reveal them. Moreover, the records of these follow-up visits will play an important role in your personal injury claim in Texas.
The Impact of Medical Documentation on a Texas Personal Injury Claim
The more complete your medical records, the easier it is to show how your injuries affect you. Keeping these records backs your claim and affects your compensation.
For example, if you have complications or have a short-term or long-term disability, you may be able to obtain a higher settlement. Furthermore, documenting your injuries accurately and thoroughly may strengthen your claim for non-economic damages such as mental anxiety.
Conclusion: Why Medical Documentation Is So Important
Your medical records demonstrate how your injuries have affected your daily life. They help you prove to concerned entities, especially the opposing counsel, that the accident directly caused your injuries. The primary purpose of medical documentation in a personal injury claim in Texas is to establish a connection between your injuries and the accident.
Find a Home-Based Business to Start-Up >>> Hundreds of Business Listings.
