Throughout Missouri, there may be thousands of people who are right now considering litigation to seek compensation for damages after an accident. The incident may have occurred on a job site or another person’s property. It might have involved a motor vehicle collision or an injury or illness that occurred after using a purchased product or because of medical malpractice. Whatever the premise is for filing a personal injury claim, as a plaintiff, you must prove the defendant’s negligence in court.
To prove a personal injury claim, you must convince the court that the defendant owed you a duty of care and that failing to fulfill that duty constituted negligence. This negligence must have caused physical, mental or economic damage. You’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible to prove your claim, including but not limited to your medical records.
Always seek medical treatment before filing a personal injury claim
If you suffer an injury or illness because of another person’s negligence but do not seek medical attention, it’s unlikely that a court will rule in your favor if you file a personal injury claim. You increase the chances of winning in court if you can show medical records that corroborate your story regarding the severity of your injuries or illness.
Medical records can prove the extent of your injuries. However, they can also demonstrate a defendant’s failure to act responsibly. For example, if your hand was perfectly healthy prior to using a store-bought product but suffered a burn or other injury because of its defectiveness, your medical records will help substantiate your claim.
Services are available to summarize medical records
Presenting information in a concise yet organized manner is the key to a successful personal injury claim. The judge doesn’t have time to comb through thousands of pages of medical information. This is why plaintiffs and their legal advocates often use records management services to compile and summarize evidence before heading to court. It is imperative to make sure the information you are presenting is in chronological order.
You’ll also want to make sure it contains the most critical information, such as dates of your medical visits, completed procedures, diagnoses and prognoses, as well as a list of symptoms and prescribed treatments.
Increasing your chances for a courtroom victory
When filing a personal injury claim in Missouri, your medical records are a key piece of evidence. Presenting the information in a concise, organized and thorough manner is the most effective strategy for obtaining a favorable outcome.