Importance of Medical Records in Prosecution and Criminal Defense
Medical records play a significant role in a prosecution and criminal defense. They not only assist attorneys in examining the case they are defending and developing their argument, but they have also contributed to settling countless cases in the past.
Medical record retrieval can help develop a defense strategy in any case, including murder, assault, domestic violence, etc. Do you want to learn more about the importance of medical records in prosecution and criminal defense? Read on!
What Are Medical Records?
Medical records provide in-depth information about an individual’s medical history. An updated medical record usually includes the following:
- Clinical notes.
- Consultation reports.
- Discharge notes.
- Operative notes.
- Investigation reports.
- Diagnosis results.
- Medical history.
- Referral notes.
Additionally, medical evidence records relevant to criminal cases may include:
- Photos.
- Lab analysis.
- Forensic evidence.
- X-rays and scans.
- Micrographs.
Medical records content can help investigators determine if an individual is innocent or guilty. Furthermore, medical records are an important piece of information that can help attorneys determine the strengths and shortcomings of the cases they are dealing with.
Importance of Medical Records in Prosecution and Criminal Defense
Below are a few reasons that show the importance of medical records in prosecution and criminal defense:
Determine Your Losses
Medical records also play a critical role in helping an attorney determine the worth of a case. An attorney assigned to a case can utilize their client’s medical records to determine the compensation they must be given. Some information in the medical history that can help make this calculation includes:
- Hospital stays.
- Surgeries.
- Prescriptions.
- Physical therapy.
- Other treatments.
Moreover, medical records not only prove financial loss. They can also act as proof for other non-financial losses, including:
- Disabilities.
- Suffering and pain.
- Mental health issues.
Medical records usually include patients’ comments about their symptoms and challenges after a traumatic event, like a car crash. This information can further act as proof of the accuracy of your claims.
Additionally, medical records can offer evidence in personal injury cases about the treatments an individual may have to undergo in the future. They also include doctors’ comments and their views on the patient’s prognosis, recovery time, and future treatments.
For example, a treatment plan can include physical restrictions, physical therapy, surgery, and medication prescriptions. If a person is recovering while the case is in progress, they may require compensation for the treatment, and these medical records can help their attorney calculate the compensation cost.
Determine The Causation in A Personal Injury Case
Medical records fulfill the role of a foundation for personal injury cases. They prove that a specific incident was the reason behind an individual’s injuries. For example, an individual sustains injuries to their head during a car crash. That individual’s previous medical records prove they had no head injuries before the accident. Moreover, they will prove that they did not have any prior head injuries or underlying health conditions that may have worsened due to the accident.
This information can significantly impact the compensation the individual receives. In the scenario where the medical records show that the person did not have a head injury before the accident, the party at blame will have to compensate them for the damage. In contrast, if the medical records show that the individual had a head injury before the accident, the at-fault party may not be obligated to offer compensation.
Prove an Individual is Putting Effort into Recovering
Medical records also demonstrate that a person strictly adheres to their treatment plan and values their doctor’s advice. In some cases, insurance companies argue that the individual had a role in worsening their condition by failing to undergo regular health exams or refusing to follow their doctor’s instructions.
Medical records can demonstrate that a person is following their doctor’s advice and undergoing frequent health exams. This can help prove that the person in question is not contributing to the worsening of their condition.
Determine The Standard of Care Offered
Medical records are one of the key pieces of evidence for cases revolving around medical malpractice allegations. This is because they include the specifics of professional liability actions and help determine whether a person received the appropriate level of care. Some common reasons behind medical malpractice cases include the following:
- Medication errors.
- Surgical errors.
- Birth injuries.
- Diagnose errors.
Medical records can prove if the negligence of medical staff led to an injury, which might have led to certain damages like mental stress, medical bills, pain, and more.
Help Attorneys Build the Case
Medical records provide information that might assist attorneys in understanding the matter at hand. Examining medical records can help an attorney determine the degree of their employer’s injury. Moreover, medical data might help attorneys assess the impact of the injuries on their clients’ lives. A medical record assists attorneys in identifying potentially negligent behaviors that may support their client’s case. In addition, obtaining medical records becomes mandatory for attorneys in certain cases, such as:
- Medical Malpractice Allegations.
- Worker’s Compensation Allegations.
- Wrongful Death Allegations.
- Personal Injury Allegations.
Although medical records can be useful in many cases, attorneys can utilize them as key evidence in the cases listed above.
Choose ROT for Effortless Medical Record Retrieval
Now that you know the importance of medical records in prosecution and criminal defense, all that is left to do is to contact a reliable medical record retrieval company like Records on Time to help streamline the workings of your legal practice. We have 20-plus years of experience providing high-quality and affordable medical record retrieval services.
By assigning the task of record retrieval to us, you can help your attorneys focus on what’s more important. You also don’t have to worry about contracts or set-up fees when you work with us. So what are you waiting for? Contact us now to take advantage of our medical record retrieval services.
