How Medical Records Affect Slip and Fall Cases

In a slip and fall accident case, medical records serve as vital evidence to support a compensation claim. Your medical records will document your injuries and treatments, establish a link between the accident and your injuries, and help the insurance company and your lawyer determine how much compensation you deserve to recover. 

A Fort Lauderdale slip and fall accident lawyer can help you gather your medical records and other evidence to strengthen your case. They can also negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf and ensure you don’t settle for less compensation than you deserve.

How Can Your Medical Records Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Accident Case?

Medical recrds can strengthen your slip and fall claim in several ways, including:

Providing Evidence of Your Injuries

Your medical records can demonstrate that your injuries are consistent with the slip and fall accident you experienced. If the insurance company tries to claim your injuries resulted from another incident or a pre-existing condition, your records can disprove this theory. This documentation can also prove you are following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan, which is important for recovering fair compensation. 

Establishing a Timeline

Medical documentation can help you and your attorney establish a timeline proving that you sought medical treatment promptly after your slip and fall accident. Delaying medical attention can negatively impact your case because the liable party or their insurance company may argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim or you made them worse by waiting to seek treatment. 

Proving Your Damages

Two large parts of your slip and fall case compensation will likely be your medical bills and pain and suffering. Your medical records can offer proof of both of these damages by explaining the physical toll your injuries had on you (including any long-term impairments or permanent physical limitations) and establishing the direct costs of your medical treatment.

What Information Is Included in Your Medical Records?

Medical documentation is generally very detailed. Your records will likely include information such as: 

• Emergency treatment received 
• Diagnostic tests performed and their results
• Your doctor’s notes from a physical exam, including diagnoses and observations
• Surgeries or other procedures performed and their results
• Future treatment recommendations (such as physical therapy) 
• Prescription medications, dosages, and how long you will be taking them
• Your descriptions of the accident and your pain levels

Be honest with your doctor and provide as much detail as possible about the accident. This will help them create accurate documentation for your medical records.

What Types of Damages Can You Claim in a Slip and Fall Claim?

Medical records and other evidence can support your claim for several types of damages, including:

• Economic damages: Financial losses resulting from your injuries may include medical bills, lost income, transportation costs, household services, home modifications, and child care.
• Non-economic damages: Non-financial losses resulting from your injuries may include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful death damages: If you lost someone you love because of a slip and fall accident, medical records can support your family’s wrongful death claim. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer can help you claim compensation for damages such as lost income, funeral costs, medical bills, and mental pain and suffering. 

How Can a Lawyer Help You After a Slip and Fall Accident?

It’s challenging to deal with being in pain and trying to recover from an injury while also juggling a legal battle to recover compensation. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer from Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can fight for you, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We will:

• Come to your location, including visiting you in the hospital if necessary
• Facilitate and encourage honest communication to develop your case smoothly
• Provide the personal attention you deserve
• Work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we win
• Provide timely and regular updates, so you always know the status of your case

Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible, so the insurance adjuster will likely search for inconsistencies in your claim. Our personal injury law firm will help you prepare for pushback from the insurer and review your medical records to ensure accuracy. We will also help you gather additional evidence to support your claim, such as safety records, inspection logs, video surveillance, photographs, witness statements, and expert opinions.

What Can You Do to Maximize Your Slip and Fall Compensation?

Personal injury claims are complex, but you can strengthen your case by doing the following:

• Seek immediate medical attention: Some severe injuries, such as neck and spinal cord injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for securing compensation.
• Talk to your doctor: Tell the medical professional who examines you everything, including the details of your slip and fall and any symptoms you are experiencing.
• Follow-up appointments: Following up on your initial treatment is crucial after suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident. Please do not skip any appointments.
• Daily impact journal: Document how your injuries impact your daily life physically, mentally, and emotionally in a journal. 
• Secure copies of your medical records: Request a copy of your medical records so your personal injury attorney can review them with you and ensure their accuracy.
• Be aware of the statute of limitations: Starting on your case as soon as possible is important because you must file your personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident date, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11.

Learn More About How Medical Records Impact Slip and Fall Cases Today

A slip and fall accident can leave you with severe injuries that impact you for the rest of your life. Don’t settle for less compensation than you deserve. Your medical records play a vital role in your claim and can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. 

Chalik & Chalik has a proven track record, securing multiple seven-figure judgments and settlements since 2003. To learn more about how your medical records can affect your slip and fall accident case, please contact us for a free consultation. 

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