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What documents should I bring to meet with my medical malpractice attorney?
If you have suffered an injury that you believe was caused by the negligence of a doctor or other healthcare provider, you will need to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. Medical malpractice cases are complex and time is of the essence. Your medical malpractice attorney will review your case to determine whether you have a viable claim for medical malpractice. To ensure your attorney can accurately assess your case and prepare for filing, you will need to provide him or her with certain vital documents. Our New York medical malpractice lawyers explain what documents you will need for a medical malpractice case.
Medical Records
Your medical records will be absolutely vital to your potential case. Your attorney will need to review the records of your negligent medical care, along with records of treatment given after the fact. These records will also need to be reviewed by a medical expert in the field.
You will have received some medical records at the time of your discharge, but you will need to put in a request for the full records. Most doctor’s offices and hospitals have a medical records release form which you can complete online or in-person to request your entire medical record. You might have to pay a small fee for printing the records, or alternatively you could request to receive them electronically.
Medical Bills
For your medical malpractice case to be viable, you need to have suffered damages. Medical expenses often comprise a large portion of your damages. You will want to obtain copies of your current medical bills and provide these to your attorney. You will also need to note which medical costs are likely to be ongoing, such as ongoing prescription drug costs or physical rehabilitation expenses.
Lost Income
Lost wages due to your inability to go to work will comprise another portion of your damages. You will want to provide your attorney with evidence of your lost wages, which will likely consist of pay stubs and tax returns to establish your previous salary. Testimony by a physician and employer as to your inability to return to work may be helpful as well. These documents will get you started, but you will want to ask your attorney for their individualized list of necessary evidence.