After a personal injury, there have many ways to compensate. When accidents happen, one of the first steps you need to take in the aftermath is to get medical care immediately. Many potentially debilitating and even life threatening conditions have symptoms that can take days or even weeks to appear. Not getting the treatment you need could put your health at risk. It can also impact your rights in a personal injury claim.
At Shapiro Appleton, our VA and NC personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping clients who have suffered injuries as a result of the reckless and negligent actions of others. Medical evidence, such as reports and records documenting diagnostic testing, treatment, and follow-up care, plays an important role in filing a claim. In order to use this type of evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, your doctor is required to verbally testify about whatever is presented in the report. Typed or videotaped depositions of medical witnesses are crucial in defending your rights to compensation.
Learn More:
- What Is The Difference Between Personal Injury Claim And Personal Injury Lawsuit
- How Are Damages For Pain And Suffering Calculated
- How to Establish Lost Wages for Your Personal Injury Claim
Depositions In The Discovery Portion Of A Personal Injury Claim
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that close to 40 million people visit hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of personal injuries. In the majority of cases, it is the negligent actions of others that are to blame. Under these circumstances, victims have the right to seek compensation for the damages they suffer.
After reporting the incident to the proper authorities and seeking medical care, your next step should be to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Depending on the situation, a personal injury lawsuit is often the best way to ensure you get the maximum amount you need to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.
Once a lawsuit is filed, the discovery process begins. The goal is to uncover important information, facts, and evidence about the case, which will eventually be presented before a judge and jury. A deposition is one of the tools personal injury attorneys use during this process. Depositions involve:
Deposition of Medical Witnesses
Medical records are key in conveying important facts about your accident and details surrounding your injuries. This information lays the groundwork for determining the number of damages you may be entitled to in your claim. To have these records admitted into evidence, depositions are required.
Under civil court rules In Virginia, North Carolina, and most states, a doctor’s medical reports cannot be submitted in court without testimony in support of their opinions. This means that although you may have statements from your doctor, copies of your medical history, and a clear understanding of any reports, your doctor must testify before a jury through a typed or videotaped deposition in order for it to be counted as evidence. Important information jurors need to hear that will be addressed in deposition questions include:
- Disputing the severity of your injuries and your doctor’s diagnosis;
- Disputing how injuries occurred and your doctor’s opinions on the matter;
- Disputing any long term impacts you are likely to suffer or the amount of treatment needed.
Personal injuries can impact your health and financial security for years into the future. At Shapiro Appleton, we are dedicated to helping you get the maximum amount you are entitled to in a settlement. Call or contact our personal injury attorneys online to serve clients throughout VA and NC areas and request a consultation today.
To learn more details visit our website https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/
