Medical documentation is crucial to keep when there’s a possibility of a personal injury case.
The victim of the accident should make sure they get copies of all medical documents and bills, and that they keep all of them organized. Copies should be sent to their lawyer to ensure the lawyer has all the information needed for the case.
Some of the reasons why this is important include the following.
Detail Injuries Sustained in Accident
When hiring a personal injury lawyer, it is important to be able to show what injuries occurred as a result of the accident.
Those who go to an emergency room or urgent care center after an accident will want to save the documents from the visit to show the lawyer, as this will detail all injuries sustained in the accident.
This helps the lawyer determine if there is a case and how much compensation can be acquired.
Outline Treatment Needed
The medical documents will outline the treatment needed to recover from the accident.
This may include healing from broken bones, bruises, scratches, lacerations, and much more. All of the treatment needed will be included in these documents, and that can help show what needs to be done now as well as in the future for the patient to recover.
Determine the Cost of Treatment
The documents can help the lawyer determine how much the current treatment has cost. This is the basis for the amount of compensation requested and the documents showing the current cost may be needed during negotiations.
If the case goes to court, the bills will be submitted during the discovery phase to help show what treatment the patient has already received for their injuries. It is important to keep all bills together and organized so they can be easily accessed when they’re needed.
Learn the Cost of Future Treatment
Depending on the severity and complexity of the injuries, treatment may not be done by the time negotiations begin. Using the documents that outline the treatment plan for the future and the current treatment costs, the lawyer can determine how much the remaining treatment will cost.
They can also look into whether the person may need to make adjustments to their life, such as making a home or vehicle wheelchair accessible, for long-term treatment.
Determine Amount of Compensation Needed
The attorney will use all of the information from the medical documents as well as other bills and expenses related to the accident to determine the full amount of compensation their client needs to financially recover from the accident.
This will include all of the treatment already completed, the future treatment needed, other expenses, non-quantifiable expenses, lost pay, and much more. The lawyer can then negotiate with the other party or their insurance company to get a higher settlement for the victim.
If you’ve been injured and have a personal injury case for compensation, it is important to make sure you have all of the information needed to prove the injuries sustained and the amount of money needed to financially recover.
A large part of this is the medical documents received while getting treatment for any injuries sustained in the accident. Keep all of these organized and provide copies to the lawyer so they can help you get as much compensation as possible.