How Medical Records Help Your Workers' Compensation Case

When it comes to a workers' compensation case, medical records are vital. Medical records serve as evidence of any claims you're making. In short, without these records it's almost fair to say you don't have a case at all. To further understand why medical records are so important, take a few moments to learn just some of functions they serve.

Highlight Extent Of Injuries

Medical records highlight the extent of your injuries. In a case where there are any existing injuries, this can be very important for a successful case. Take someone who suffered a back injury ten years prior as a result of a motor vehicle accident, for example.

Without records, any back discomfort claimed as part of their workers' compensation case could be deemed the result of the previous injury, ending the case. However, the new medical records will not only highlight the age of the injury, but they can also be compared to the old records to show that the injuries are new and help ensure the success of the case.

Verify Medical Treatment

A problem that some people run into is that their claim isn't denied, but they are compensated at a level that isn't sufficient to meet their needs. This is particularly the case when it comes to medical treatment. For example, their case might only pay for six months of medical treatment when their injuries require at least twelve months of treatment for proper recovery.

Medical records help you avoid this because they don't just include evidence concerning the actual injury, but they also contain notes and details from your physician regarding treatment requirements. With these records, you can ensure you get access and compensation for the medical treatment you need.

Show Compliance

To have a workers' compensation case approved, it takes more than simply being injured. Compliance is also essential. Failing to get treatment within a reasonable length of time and even having a discrepancy between the actual injury and what you reported can all cause issues in this area and delegitimize your case.

When you have medical records, you can avoid this. Medical records provide a time-stamp, helping show you reported your injuries in a reasonable amount of time and they also help bring validity to your claims, showing that they are accurate.

If you've been injured, you deserve proper treatment and compensation. Make sure you are collecting all of your medical records to protect your claim and your case.