Why Is Medical Imaging Important in a Personal Injury Case?
When a person is harmed by another party’s negligence, they may be able to recover fair compensation to cover the damages they’ve suffered. However, to recover fair compensation, they must first prove not only that the liable party was negligent but that their negligence caused substantial physical, emotional, mental, and financial damage. One way of proving the existence of injury and its severity is through medical imaging used to help diagnose and treat the victim.
In a personal injury case, it’s important to work with a skilled attorney to help gather evidence that supports your claim. Key pieces of evidence come from your doctor, the testimony of medical experts, and the physical evidence (medical imaging) that proves your need for damages. At Mintz Law Firm, we have the resources, skills, and knowledge to help our clients recover maximum compensation.
The Importance of Medical Imaging in Personal Injury Cases
Documentation of the injuries in a personal injury case plays a crucial role when it comes to building a case for financial recovery. The documentation has to be comprehensive and extensive, and the data must be from the time the victim reported the injury to the appropriate authorities to when the case goes to trial.
Medical records, including medical imaging, can be the most important component in proving the need for damages. For instance, if the victim sustains a broken bone, medical scans or X-rays showing the fracture of the bone can be submitted as irrefutable evidence that the victim sustained injuries as a result of the accident.
Medical images can prove that the injury is severe, debilitating, or even fatal, which provides the legal grounds for recovering damages. These images are much more effective than merely reading about them in medical records. Accurate medical images can help establish that the patient has followed the physician’s treatment recommendations. Furthermore, in a trial, medical images are the best tools to demonstrate to the judges and jurors the seriousness of an injury.
The Purpose of Medical Imaging in Personal Injury Cases
When a plaintiff accuses another party of harming them, the burden of proof lies on that plaintiff. However, the extent of many physical injuries can’t be determined just by conducting visual examinations. In fact, injuries can cause internal damage and affect internal organs which don’t show visible external signs at all. The only way to see the full severity of an injury is to take and examine medical images.
Medical images are pictures that visually represent the body’s interior. They use weak radiation such as X-ray or magnetic fields to reveal internal structures without having to cut the body open. Healthcare professionals may use medical images for the following purposes:
- To create a database of normal human anatomy that is used to identify occurrences of abnormality
- To examine tissue and organ function
- To make clinical analyses, diagnose medical conditions, and treat diseases
For the average person without a medical background, seeing internal injuries and ailments with their own eyes is entirely different and more impactful than reading about them in medical reports. Furthermore, a jury or judge may not be familiar with medical terms, which can create confusion rather than the sympathy the injured party needs.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today at Mintz Law Firm
When it comes to securing fair compensation and holding negligent parties accountable, it’s crucial to have a skilled and trusted attorney at your side. The consequences of an accident can be felt for a long time, and the monetary compensation you recover should reflect that. The attorneys at Mintz Law Firm know how to thoroughly examine an accident and its impacts so our clients receive settlement offers and verdicts that reflect their needs.
Mintz Law Firm is a personal injury firm committed to keeping our client’s best interests at the forefront of every negotiation and trial. Contact us to schedule a consultation through our contact form or call (303) 462-2999.