Medical records are the backbone of any successful personal injury case. Without them, it’s your word against the insurance company’s. So how do you use medical records to prove your claim?
What They Show:
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Nature and severity of the injury
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Dates and duration of treatment
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Costs incurred
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Prognosis for recovery
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Long-term impact or disability
Why They Matter:
Courts and insurance adjusters want objective proof. X-rays, treatment notes, prescriptions, and specialist referrals build credibility.
What You Should Include:
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Emergency room reports
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Specialist evaluations (orthopedics, neurology, etc.)
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Physical therapy records
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MRI, CT, or X-ray imaging
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Pain medication prescriptions
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Psychological evaluations (if applicable)
How to Get Them:
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Request directly from your healthcare provider
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Sign a HIPAA release so your lawyer can access them
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Keep a personal copy of everything
Be Consistent:
Any gaps in treatment or inconsistency (like going to the gym while claiming back pain) can be used against you.
Tip:
Document everything — even mileage to medical appointments — and stay on schedule with treatments.
