What You Say to your Doctors after an Injury is Important

After an accident, it is important that you tell all of your doctors about all the injuries you suffered in the accident, regardless of why you see those doctors.  Why?  If you end up filing a lawsuit, then the defense will subpoena all of your medical records, and if you fail to mention your injuries to any of your doctors, they will attack your case.
For example: on Wednesday, you visit your primary care doctor for a physical.  Your doctor orders lab work.  The lab draws your blood and you set a follow up appointment for Monday with your doctor to discuss the results.  Over the weekend, you get into an accident, injuring your neck and back.
Records from your primary care doctor will be subpoenaed by the defense because the defense wants to find out if you complained of neck and back pain after your accident.  So, when you visit your primary care doctor on Monday to discuss your lab results, it is vital that you mention your neck pain, back pain and the accident.
What about privacy?  Because of the lawsuit, the defense is generally allowed to seek medical records that are in close proximity of the accident to determine if you complained of injuries.  So, these records may be fair game to the defense who will attack your credibility if you fail to mention your injuries.
There are instances where your privacy may allow you to prevent the defense from seeking medical records.  However, these instances are rare, and you should seek the advice of an attorney to determine whether you have grounds to prevent the production of such documents.”
For more information, please call The Mason Law Firm at 661-476-5678 or email mason@mrscvlaw.com.