If you file an injury claim in Tennessee, what will happen to your medical records and bills? Will they be kept private by your attorney?
It is understandable for victims to be hesitant about providing medical records during a lawsuit. However, our lawyers must have access to your medical records if you are seeking compensation for an injury caused by a negligent party. Due to the nature of the relationship between lawyers and their clients, private information, such as medical records, is kept secure. By using your medical records as evidence, we can more clearly show the extent of your injuries and their cause. Medical bills can also be used to help calculate a victim’s recovery of economic damages in Tennessee. If your injuries have worsened or you have received additional treatment during the course of your claim, provide records of those changes as well.
Call our Tennessee personal injury lawyers at (844) 876-4357 to set up a free case assessment from Howe Law.
Will My Medical Bills and Records Be Kept Private by My Injury Attorney in Tennessee?
When seeking compensation for their injuries following an accident of any kind, victims need to feel comfortable providing private and personal information to their attorneys. Because of the legal duty attorneys have to their clients, such information must be kept secure.
Once you have hired our Murfreesboro, TN personal injury lawyers to tackle your case, any communications between you and our team will be kept confidential. This is not only crucial for your comfort, but a legal requirement of the attorney-client relationship. While certain medical records will be used during the course of your claim and may need to be released to the opposing side during the discovery process, they should not be unnecessarily distributed or discussed.
This applies to all communications or information you provide to our attorneys, not only your medical records.
You might need to sign a release or consent form so that your medical records can be reviewed during the case. This might also be necessary if you require statements from medical professionals who have treated your injuries following an accident in Tennessee.
If you are uneasy about handing over your medical records, our attorneys will explain how they will be treated and who will have access to them so that you feel more comfortable moving forward. For example, it is common to store medical records using secure software so that they can only be accessed by approved individuals.
What Types of Medical Records and Bills Will My Tennessee Injury Lawyer Need?
Our attorneys will need various medical records and information about your treatment when building your case for compensation in Tennessee. This includes records regarding your immediate injuries as well as information about your continued treatment.
Providing all details regarding your accident and injuries is important. We will require medical records from your trip to the emergency room following an accident, as well as records from your continued treatment for your injuries. In addition to the medical records for your injuries, such as your prognosis and required treatment plan, we will also need copies of medical bills and invoices.
If you have pre-existing conditions or injuries, provide our lawyers with records regarding those conditions as well. This will help us to prepare for possible assertions from the opposing side that your pre-existing conditions worsened or contributed to your injuries sustained in an accident in Tennessee.
Having thorough medical records is important for all cases involving physical injury. Heed all advice from medical professionals about your treatment and see medical specialists as needed. This is crucial not only for your physical health but for the success of your compensation claim as well.
Victims should continue getting medical care for the duration of their recovery. Do not assume that you are healed and forgo future appointments with medical professionals as doing so might harm your case.
What Will My Injury Attorney Do with My Medical Records in Tennessee?
Medical records are essential for any injury claim in Tennessee, meaning you must provide them to our attorneys in order to build a strong case for compensation. Our Nashville, TN personal injury lawyers will do several things with your medical records and bills to prove your need for recovery.
Medical records are important in establishing a victim’s injuries. This is why going to the hospital immediately after an accident is important. In doing so, you can more easily show that your injuries are directly related to another party’s negligence. For example, if you were injured in a car accident and then immediately went to the hospital, it is easier to prove that you were injured because of the car accident in question.
Your medical records will also be used to explain the future medical treatment you might require and the costs you might incur. Coupled with statements from medical professionals, records detailing your injuries and required treatment plans can allow you to recover compensation for future medical costs.
Your medical bills will be used to help calculate economic damages as well. Because of this, it is important to keep all records of medical expenses related to your injuries. This includes bills or invoices related to surgeries, prescription medications, or various therapies. Such costs will be added up and compiled with other financial losses, such as lost wages, to accurately calculate the economic damages you deserve.
Medical records can also be useful when seeking compensation for pain and suffering. Severe injuries proven through a victim’s medical records can help show the impact an accident has had on their life. You can strengthen your claim for pain and suffering by getting statements from therapists or close friends and family.
Call Our Lawyers About Your Tennessee Injury Claim Today
You can call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to get a free case review from our Knoxville, TN personal injury lawyers.
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