What Information Do Medical Records Contain?
Medical records contain a variety of health-related information about an individual, including hospital stays, lab results, immunizations, prescriptions, doctor’s visits, diagnostic results, and insurance information. They may also include non-medical data such as demographic information or family history. The goal of these records is to have a comprehensive overview of a person's health and medical history that can be used to more accurately develop diagnosis and treatment plans. This overview can be used for routine checkups, medical emergencies, and to aid in the litigation process of a personal injury case.
Having access to detailed medical records can allow legal teams to properly assess the severity of an injury or illness and help establish a stronger case for their clients. Medical documents may also contain malpractice evidence that can help prove liability, as well as provide insight into potential damages and the claimant’s quality of life following the incident.
Furthermore, such documents could include information about past medical treatment that may serve as valuable evidence in establishing future medical needs. Overall, providing quality reproductions of medical documents, including diagnostic-grade x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, can play a crucial role in resolving disputes between parties involved in the litigation process.
Benefits of Sharing Medical Documents During Litigation
What Impact Can Medical Records Have on Settlements & Trial Outcomes?
When filing a personal injury claim, one of the first things you are asked is to prove that the injuries you sustained are as severe as you say. This is true across a variety of personal injury cases, including car accidents, worker’s compensation, slip-and-fall cases, and medical malpractice.
Obtaining your medical records for court can be a time-consuming process without the proper help. Working with a qualified attorney can ensure that everything is filed correctly and in a timely manner. You must fill out a HIPAA compliance form and reach out to all healthcare providers for the originals. When you receive your records, choosing an experienced reproduction company to make accurate digital and/or hard copies will make certain that your legal team has the information they need to craft a thorough case.
Diagnostic-quality medical records can:
- Provide critical information about the past and present extent of an injury
- Aid in assessing the impact of the injury on your life
- Prove that an injury was caused by another party’s negligence or intentional misconduct
- Establish a fair amount of compensation
- Prevent lengthy court proceedings, potentially saving you time and money
Are There any Risks with Sharing Medical Records in Court?
One of the concerns people have with sharing sensitive information during a court case is whether their privacy will be violated at any point. Simply filing a personal injury lawsuit doesn’t immediately strip you of privacy protections with respect to medical records. However, it is still important to share this concern with your legal team, as they can both narrow the scope of a subpoena for medical records as well as carefully construct any waivers needed to file suit.
The other risk of sharing medical documents in court is if these records demonstrate that injuries aren’t as severe as stated or are part of a pre-existing condition. Because both parties have access to your records during discovery, the opposing legal team might seek a second opinion or expert testimony that downplays your claims.
A Qualified Medical Record Reproduction Company, Available 24/7
Because of how crucial diagnostic-quality medical records are to the outcome of your personal injury case it is important to choose a company that has extensive experience reproducing medical and legal documents. At Acro Photo Print Inc., we have over 45 years of expertise in helping legal teams and medical facilities reproduce, scan, and store sensitive documentation. Our facility offers both digital and hard copies, including x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs—utilizing the most advanced equipment on the market for unmatched quality. All of our medical copies are delivered and stored in a safe, HIPAA-compliant way for the ultimate peace of mind.
Call our skilled professionals today at (929) 244-4322 or fill out our quick and easy online form.