Preparing medical legal reports and dealing with lawyers

Issue title: The Injured Spine

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Stark, Thomas

Affiliations: Williamson and Lavecchia, L.C., 6800 Paragon Place, Richmond, Va 23226, USA

Abstract: In preparing reports or records for patients in personal injury litigation certain basic information will be necessary. (The term ‘personal injury’ includes cases involving automobile accidents, slip and falls, defective products and medical malpractice.) Most of that information is often provided in the basic chart without the need for a written report. Ensure that when providing records or discussing the patient's care and treatment with an attorney that your are providing records in a timely manner to the attorney for the patient and that you are not discussing the case with counsel for your patient's opponent. When in doubt, call the patient's attorney and ask them what information is needed.

Keywords: Litigation, Written reports, Records authorizations, Physician-patient confidentiality

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-1995-5211

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 173-177, 1995