Medical documentation is a core component of most personal injury claims in California. That means that in order to verify the injuries you have and to document the impact of those injuries on your life, you may need to provide medical documentation, such as medical files, that verify this information. A Santa Monica personal injury lawyer at Borna Houman Law can help you file a claim.
Medical Documentation Proves Extent of the Injury
One reason medical documentation is critical to personal injury claims in California is that it establishes the extent of the injury. That is, it provides insight into not just what the injury is but also how bad it is and what types of limitations and impact that extensiveness may bring to the situation.
This is important because it helps determine the scale of compensation that the injury warrants. For example, if the medical documentation indicates substantial injury, that may warrant additional compensation, especially if the patient does not recover fully and, therefore, may not be made whole in the recovery process.
What Types of Medical Documentation Is Necessary in a Personal Injury Case
When you work with your personal injury attorney, you gain more insight into the type and specific amount of medical documentation necessary to prove your case. It is also important to know that there are limits to this. Providing too much leeway to insurance companies could impact your right to compensation as well.
Instead, consider the following key elements of your medical records that you should include in your personal injury claim to justify your losses:
- Detailed medical records: These should include descriptive language and extensive details of the medical situation. They should also include diagnosis information, a history of the condition, treatment plans, and progress reports over time.
- Diagnostic reports: These reports can help verify the extent of your injuries. They typically include X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other documented tests completed by licensed professionals.
- Treatment planning documentation: Your doctor should be able to provide you with a treatment plan or the steps that are planned for your recovery. This may include multiple stages of recovery, treatment, surgery, or types of care based on how you respond or what your needs are.
The Right Medical Documentation Benefits Your Case
With the right amount and type of medical documentation, you can help to build a stronger case for recovering damages. For example, if you have documentation that shows you have gone to every therapy appointment and still have limitations based on progress notes, that helps to substantiate your claim. It also simply makes it clear what your losses are, and that can build credibility with the involved parties.
More so, your attorney can use these documents and details as a negotiating tool. It will be hard for an insurance company to dispute your documented proof of your injury and the type of losses you are owed over the long term.
Medical documentation can seem like an invasion of your privacy, but it is a core component of building a strong personal injury case and one that you certainly want to pursue with the help of an attorney. Call Borna Houman Law today to schedule a free consultation.