What Is the Role of Medical Records in Personal Injury Cases in Georgia?

What Is the Role of Medical Records in Personal Injury Cases in Georgia?

Thorough documentation is a critical part of any successful personal injury case in Georgia, particularly robust medical records. Here’s what you need to know about this supporting documentation and what types can be especially valuable in maximizing your compensation.

Why Medical Records Matter in Georgia Personal Injury Claims

There are three key reasons your medical records matter in a Georgia personal injury claim:

• Connecting your injuries to an accident – One element you must prove to win a Georgia personal injury claim is showing how an accident caused your injuries. For instance, if you sustained whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision, your doctor’s notes might contain information showing how the force from the crash strained the bones, muscles, and other soft tissues in and around your neck. The more specific and detailed your records are, the easier it is to connect them to an accident.
• Demonstrating your injuries’ long-term effects – Many accident-related injuries can have long-term effects on your life. Paralysis from a spinal cord injury, for example, can significantly impede your ability to work and perform physical activities. You need thorough medical records to prove these long-term effects and recover fair compensation.
• Calculating your losses from an accident – Your medical expenses are a core component of your compensation in a Georgia personal injury claim. Your medical records may contain invoices from your healthcare providers, which helps illustrate your financial losses. Similarly, your medical records may include information on how your injuries impact your ability to work or do physical activity, which can help you claim compensation for your reduced earning potential or pain and suffering.

Key Medical Records in Georgia Personal Injury Cases

The medical records you need for your Georgia personal injury claim depend on the facts of your case, but some documents you may need include:

• Doctor’s treatment notes – Any notes from your primary doctor or any specialists you see are essential for a personal injury claim, as they may describe how your injuries occurred, the treatments you need, and how your injuries may affect you long-term.
• Emergency room records – If you needed emergency treatment after an accident, your ER records may include the treatments you received and their cost.
• Diagnostic tests – MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, blood work, and other tests can provide visual proof of your injuries, especially if you suffered any broken bones or internal injuries in an accident.
• Specialist reports – Depending on your injuries and their effects, reports from neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, or other specialists can help demonstrate the long-term harm you’ve suffered. For example, a neurologist’s notes may explain how a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury affects your movement and coordination.
• Physical therapy records – Notes from your physical therapy team can address how your injuries limit your activities.

Trust Kaufman Injury Law to Collect and Manage Your Medical Records

Kaufman Injury Law has over 45 years of personal injury experience and can manage all the medical records in your personal injury case. We can provide the insurance companies with strong supporting evidence while protecting your privacy by preventing them from accessing more information than they need. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.