Medical Issues After A Car Accident or On-The-Job Injury
I am often asked what is the most important aspect of an automobile accident or personal injury case. While there are many important factors, one of the most important aspects in any case is documenting, understanding, and proving injuries.
The first basic task in any case involves gathering medical records and medical bills. While this may seem simple to many, it is very labor intensive. Medical bills can especially be difficult to obtain and piece together. I define the term medical provider to mean any person or entity that provides medical-related services or products. The term can encompass physicians, nurses, hospitals, physical therapists, chiropractors, laboratories, x-ray / imaging companies, prosthetic companies, psychologists / psychologist, and specialized workers such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation therapists. Although cumbersome, the best way I have found to list, on a spreadsheet, each date of service (DOS) with the corresponding medical provider and amount.
Beyond gathering and digesting medical bills, there is the the task of understanding medical records. The first step is to create a medical chronology and list of medical issues and diagnoses. I also review medical records carefully foe my client's statements, either orally or in writing, as they contain fertile ground for cross-examination by an insurance defense attorney.
As for reliable medical information, there are many alternatives. A good medical dictionary is also a good starting point. I find that a number of online sources are helpful to me in reviewing medical records. I often start with the National Library of Medicine when researching my client's injures. Medline Plus is another good resource as is the Mayo Clinic . Perhaps my favorite website is PubMed which has most medical journal articles. published in the United States and abroad. In my opinion, these medical journal articles provide reliable and thorough information about an injury or medical condition.
Of course, you must get a good grasp on the medical records before securing evidence to prove your medical injuries. This requires a keen eye for what is important and what is less important. In upcoming articles, I will discuss this topic more in-depth. For now, it is important to note that ultimately proving medical damages is critical. This goes beyond telling a judge or jury about medical bills. Medical illustrations and medical testimony should be presented in a clear, concise and simple way.
