Our firm has the opportunity to speak to folks from all over Western Virginia about possible medical malpractice cases.
We generally start our conversation by asking the caller to tell us what happened. Then, if we think the facts as relayed, warrant further investigation (because negligence seems likely and damages are significant) we will ask our dear callers, to provide the medical records.
The medical records are needed to review and evaluate the patient’s condition, and care provided.
Often callers will seem surprised at our request.
….”But, that’s what happened, don’t you believe me?”
or
…. “I have the records and the records lie.”
Yes, I believe you, and yes, sometimes records do lie.
I have had cases where the following errors in medical records were found (recently):
1. A nurse records in the records that my client has a strong pedal pulse in his left foot.
TRUTH: He doesn’t have a left foot. It was amputated months before the exam.
2. A nurse records that she provided wound care to my client and that she gave her a bath.
TRUTH: my client had been transferred to the hospital 2 days earlier and had died 12 hours before the recorded treatment.
Sometimes we can catch these lies and inconsistencies in medical records – sometimes, we can’t. We still need to see your records however, to evaluate your case and claim.
Get us the records, and we can start to review and investigate your case. No records, no case.