Navigating Medical Records in Personal Injury Cases: A Guide by Attorney Jacob S. Gunter
In personal injury cases, whether it’s a dog bite or a car collision, obtaining and managing medical records is crucial. These records are essential for establishing the extent of your injuries and the necessary medical treatments. Understanding how to navigate this process can significantly impact your case.
Understanding Medical Records in Personal Injury Claims
These records consist of two primary components: medical treatment records and medical billing records. Insurance adjusters require both before they will consider making an offer to compensate you for your injuries.
Types of Records:
- Ambulance Billing and Treatment Records: These documents outline the care you received during transportation to a medical facility.
- Emergency Room (ER) Records: Once you arrive at the ER, a variety of records come into play, including:
- Hospital Billing: Charges from the facility.
- ER Physicians’ Billings: Fees for the doctors who treated you.
- Anaesthesiologist’s Billings: Costs associated with anesthesia administration.
- Radiologist’s Billings: Charges for imaging services.
Each entity or person billing for their medical services maintains a separate medical treatment record, making it imperative to gather them all for a comprehensive claim.
The Follow-Up Process
After your ER visit, you may follow up with your general practice family doctor. From there, you might be referred to specialists, such as a physical therapist or a chiropractic physician. Each of these providers will also have their own records and bills that your personal injury attorney must obtain.
Challenges in Obtaining Medical Records
Your car collision attorney cannot secure these records until you complete treatment at each facility or with each provider. This process can be time-consuming. Once treatment concludes, it may take up to two months—or longer—to obtain the necessary records. Hospitals, in particular, are often the slowest to respond, frequently relying on third-party vendors, which adds to the bureaucratic delay.
Client Involvement: A Double-Edged Sword
Interestingly, clients sometimes find that they can obtain their records faster and at a lower cost than their attorneys. Hospitals may provide records on the spot, especially if the client calls ahead. However, there’s a risk involved. Clients might inadvertently miss crucial providers, such as the radiologist or ER physicians’ bills, mistakenly believing that the facility’s bill covers everything.
How Attorney Jacob S. Gunter Can Help
Attorney Jacob S. Gunter regularly requests these records and prepares claim packages for his personal injury car collision clients. With experience in navigating the complexities of medical documentation, he ensures that all necessary records are obtained to build a strong case on your behalf.
If you’re facing challenges related to medical records in your personal injury case, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Jacob at (385) 269-9504 for a free consultation. With his expertise, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.