Documenting Damages Experts for Healthcare Litigation

“The plaintiff asks the court’s permission to enter Exhibit A into evidence . . . .” Does that phrase sound familiar? Yes, it is the phrase used by any lawyer in any courtroom drama just at the time when he or she introduces the vital piece of evidence that will crack the case wide open for the jury. 

Now, trials in real life often lack the kind of drama that we see on television. However, the importance of tangible evidence in any healthcare or personal injury trial is the same in real life as it is on TV. In other words, you always need evidence to prove your case in court. 

The Need for Evidence, and a Documenting Damages Expert in Personal Injury Cases

When it comes to litigation in the American court system, we do not rely solely on what a person says. Rather, we like to hear what both sides have to say, and we also like to see physical proof to reinforce what people say. It is a very “I’ll believe it when I see it,” mentality.

That means, then, that the key to winning your case in court, whether it is a personal injury lawsuit or litigation about healthcare, is to have documentary evidence to support your claims. As you would expect, if someone says that they had to pay X amount in medical bills, you would most likely want to see the medical bills themselves, right? 

Accordingly, when you have a personal injury matter, one of the best ways that you can prove that you suffered the damages that you claim is to make sure that you have all the documents to back up your claim. 

In this article, we will discuss all the paperwork that you should try to keep track of when you are involved in a personal injury matter. And one of the easiest and most effective ways in which you can keep track of everything is to enlist the assistance of a documenting damages expert. 

If, after reviewing this article, you have additional questions about your own your own personal injury lawsuit we invite you to contact us at Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. – OAS.   

We are one of the most experienced employability and life care planning firms in the United States. To discuss your case, call us at   1-800-292-1919 , contact us at a location near you, or through our online form .

Keeping Track of Your Personal Injury Evidence

If you suffer a personal injury from a car accident, botched medical procedure, or any source, the time to begin keeping documentation is immediately after the accident . Not to put too fine a point on it, but the more information you collect right after your injury, the better off you will be when you are called upon to present proof of your injury by an insurance company or at trial. 

Thus, here is a list of documents that you need to have in your possession to prove your personal injury damages when the time comes. Not all of these documents may apply to your particular situation, but it is a great checklist to go through so you have evidence for your case.

1. Police reports

Immediately after a car accident, one of the most important things you can do is call the police. That way, the officer – who is an objective third party – will document the scene of the accident, and take down what witnesses or the other driver might say (be careful not to admit fault at the scene of an accident, just discuss whether or not you were injured). Some other types of injuries may not justify calling the police, but car accidents are the classic example of when you want to get a police report. 

2. Medical records

Doctor’s bills, bills for prescriptions, bills for physical therapy, are all vital to your damages claim before the insurance company or in a personal injury lawsuit. So, make sure that you keep all of your bills for medical treatment, however small.

3. Insurance claims

Other documents that are important to save in your file are the insurance claims that you fill out. Oftentimes, you make a claim when your memory is fresh. One year down the road, you will not remember the accident or source of the injury as well, so the claims may have vital information that you would otherwise have forgotten.

4. Videos and photos

Videos and photos are marvelous pieces of evidence. Right after an accident or after sustaining an injury, take photos and videos of the scene, of your injuries, of what people are saying around the incident. That is the kind of information that is persuasive to insurance companies and juries.

5. Financial documents

A large part of damages for any serious injury is lost wages. Accordingly, you need to have a way to show how a serious or catastrophic injury has hurt you and your family financially. So, try to keep a record of financial documents.

6. Your journal

One of the best pieces of advice for any injury is that you keep a journal . Write in the journal all of your symptoms, what life is like dealing with the injury on a daily basis, the results of each doctor’s visit, etc. Indeed, memory fades over time. So, keeping a journal will allow you to remember all of the details of your challenges because of the injury.

Get a Documenting Damages Expert to Help You

The best way to make sure that all of your documents are in order and available, in order to negotiate the best settlement or put on the best case you can before the court is to get an expert to help you. The kind of expert you need is a documenting damages expert . Consider OAS for the job. 

The documenting damages experts at Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) have over forty years of experience documenting the income potential and employment capacity of those with wrongful termination cases, as well as with the underemployed, unemployed, and disabled spouses in many types of cases

OAS specializes in working with the plaintiff or defense attorney to assist in objectively documenting the economics in a case. From the initial referral to the trial testimony, OAS works with the retaining attorney so that the vocational assessment of the case can be objectively and efficiently presented. 

We strongly believe in the importance of a clear and understandable presentation of the facts. OAS is the leading provider of Vocational Expert and Life Care Planning Services for Plaintiff and Defense attorneys. 

The company specializes in assisting attorneys in evaluating earning capacity in divorce cases , and documenting the damages in cases where an individual has been severely injured by providing objective findings on how the injuries affect a persons’ ability to work and earn money, as well as the cost of care required in catastrophic injuries.

OAS is your Vocational Expert & Life Care Planner Nationwide, with offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Nevada, and California. 

Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. is one of the most experienced employability and life care planning firms in the United States. To discuss your case, call us at   1-800-292-1919 , contact us at a location near you, or through our online form.