How significant is medical record review and analysis in an auto accident case

How Significant is Medical Record Analysis and Review in an Auto Accident Case?

The way medical record analysis and review is done contributes considerably to the amount of relevant data that can be extracted, and thus also influences the ultimate outcome of an auto accident case.

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Auto accidents can be traumatic and lead to serious injuries and disabilities. In any auto accident lawsuit, medical chart review is a vital part. Whether a claimant is trying to recover auto insurance benefits, or compensation for pain and damage from an at-fault driver, his/her medical records have an important role to play in their case. At the beginning of the case itself, the claimant will have to sign medical records releases from the treating doctors, hospitals and therapists so that the medical record analysis and review can be done at the earliest.

The Connecticut Law Tribune recently reported a serious auto accident involving a New Britain couple whose car was struck from behind by a distracted driver. The allegation is that the at-fault driver was texting at the time of the accident, though the defense denies the same. Though defense argued that this driver’s phone rang and that he looked down, and the impact happened, the plaintiff side disputed that. They had two witnesses who claimed that the driver was swerving all over the roadway. The specific reasons for the accident are in dispute, however, the New Britain couple has agreed to a $1.3 million settlement and is expected to get it early this year. The accident occurred in March 2014 and had serious repercussions in the life of the couple.

The woman involved in the accident is 62 years old now; after the accident she was immediately sent to a nursing home. Her medical records provided evidence of torn ligaments in her knee and extensive damage. She had to undergo a full knee replacement since individual repairing of the ligaments would not have sufficed. In addition, she also has one of the worst cases of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), according to her lawyer.

She was forced to quit her job as a hairdresser in November 2015. The man who is now 67 years old sustained a broken left arm. He has low back pain and claims that he will need a fusion procedure to his lower back. He also had to take time off from his job in the food industry and was laid off once his Family and Medical Leave Act time was exhausted.

In a case such as the above, how do medical records become an important part of the injury claim? 

First and foremost, medical records provide evidence of the injuries the victim incurred in the car accident.

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They give parties to a claim a chance to evaluate the physical injuries suffered.

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They help calculate the damages sustained by an injured person, which include damages for the cost of medical treatment.

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Particularly important in settlement negotiations, medical records help understand the feasibility or chance for success of the claim.

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Medical records help differentiate injuries sustained from the crash from earlier or pre-existing injuries.

Medical records are thus valuable tools in the hands of attorneys, who with the support of medical review services will appraise all available records to find relevant information. The way the medical record analysis and review is done contributes considerably to the amount of relevant information that can be extracted from the records, and thus also influences the ultimate outcome of an auto accident case.

www.mosmedicalrecordreview.com

(800) 670 2809