Impact of Medical Records on Personal Injury Cases

Accidents occur every day, and many leave people with injuries and pain that they must deal with for quite a while, if not a lifetime. Thankfully, it is possible to seek compensation for those injuries that are a result of the negligence of others. 

Evidence

Medical records are critical evidence in personal injury cases because they help to validate the existence of the injury. An important part of proving a case is showing that the negligent act caused damage. The lack of medical records or a lack of sufficient medical records may create suspicion as to the severity of the injury and its relation to the incident. Therefore, medical records are crucial to a claimant’s bid for medical damages.

Proper documentation

In general, proper documentation of the various aspects of an incident is essential, but it is especially important in Virginia due to the personal injury law that requires claimants to show that they did not contribute to the accident at all. The existence of certain types of injury may help to decrease the likelihood of contributing to the accident. Having documentation from a physician is usually credible in the eyes of the court and helps to establish a timeline as well. This paints the story, which is necessary for creating a solid case.

Damages

Not only do medical records help to determine if parties deserve damage awards, but they also contribute to establishing the proper amount. Those who have extensive medical records that detail the injury and the full treatment process from beginning to end stand a better chance at receiving a larger damages award than those who take one trip to a physician after an accident. Simply stated, the more damages a claimant can prove, the higher the request the court will accept for damages.

As you can see, medical records have a strong impact on personal injury cases. Make sure you build and collect your medical records to enhance your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.