Commonly Overlooked Things in Personal Injury Claims
When you are filing a personal injury claim after an unexpected accident caused by a third party, there are a lot of factors you have to keep in mind. Many people already know they need a police report copy, medical record copies, and pictures of the damages. However, the one thing that many people overlook is whether their medical records have errors in them. Health professionals are only human and can make mistakes like anyone else. It only takes one error to leave you out of the compensation you need. Talk to a Syracuse personal injury attorney if you have questions about how to do this.
Medical Records and Other Vital Documents
Medical records are amongst the most important evidence for your personal injury claim. Without adequate and accurate medical records, you could be out of compensation for your medical bills and treatment expenses like medication costs. As most people already know, medical costs can add up fast, especially with ongoing treatment for severe injuries.
You may have suffered mild injuries from a minor car accident and do not feel like medical attention is necessary. However, some injuries may not show symptoms right away, until days after the accident. Mild traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and other types of injuries can easily go undetected.
Seeking medical attention is often safer in this kind of situation because of how unpredictable injuries can be after a car accident. Auto insurance is expected to cover your medical costs, but be sure to talk with a lawyer if you are left uncovered.
Other vital documents for your personal injury claim vary depending on the type of accident. For car accidents, you will need auto insurance information from the other driver. With product liability claims, you will need the product and if possible, the product instructions and package. In general, personal injury claims are aided by photos of your injuries and any other damages you suffered.
How Medical Record Errors Happen
Medical health professionals are not perfect and often face long grueling hours behind keyboards. Since most medical records are now electronic, making a medical record error can have rippling effects. If you miss one of these errors, you may receive less compensation for your medical costs than you need.
Some of the most common reasons for medical record errors include doctor fatigue, simple human errors, mixing up similar names or numbers, and outright fraud. Some health professionals will be tempted to abuse their power by slightly altering health records to obtain more money. Overall, be wary of what your records say about the injuries and treatments you experienced.
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Making sure you have all the proper documentation in place for your personal injury claim can be overwhelming at times. Talk to a Syracuse medical malpractice attorney if you suspect your medical records are inaccurate. You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, and lost wages.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli, our lawyers have years of experience with personal injury cases. Contact us at (315) 314-8000 for a free consultation today. We are located in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn.