What Medical Records Should I Get Right Away After Police Use of Force Injuries?
After a use-of-force incident, getting proper medical care needs to be a top priority. You may be worried about an arrest, embarrassed by the entire situation, or concerned that your injuries aren’t “serious enough” to warrant medical care. Not only is this important for your physical health and well-being, but prompt medical care can also lay the foundation for your legal claim with an excessive force attorney in California.
At the Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo, we have secured some of the largest settlements and jury awards in California for victims of police violence. Attorney Renée Valentine Masongsong has fought tirelessly for clients, contributing to seven-figure settlements and jury verdicts. Call our excessive force law firm at 818-347-3333 to discuss your next steps now.
Why Medical Records Matter After the Use of Excessive Force
The medical records created after a use-of-force incident can become important evidence in your civil case against the police. These records may show exactly what types of injuries you sustained, the symptoms you reported, when you sought care, and whether or not the injuries you suffered are consistent with the force used against you. Holding police officers accountable can be a challenge. Hiring an excessive force lawyer and getting the right medical records can make this path a little easier.
Emergency Room and Urgent Care Records
Start with the first place you sought care after the incident. This starts to establish a timeline for what you went through and what your injuries were like immediately afterwards. While most facilities automatically give you a discharge summary, you actually want a full copy of your medical record.
Your full medical record should include triage notes, nursing notes, diagnosis codes, medication records, and referrals.
When speaking with medical care providers, be clear and direct about what happened to you. Don’t exaggerate or try to figure out why certain things happened, but don’t downplay your injuries either.
Imaging, Test Results, and Radiology Reports
X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and lab work can all give a more in-depth look at your injuries. Different types of medical imaging may capture fractures, head trauma, facial injuries, spinal injuries, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries.
A full record should include both the written radiology report and the actual image files. The written radiology report is important because it breaks down what the radiologist saw and what it means. However, the image files may be necessary if your excessive force attorney brings in an expert witness.
Photo Documentation of Your Injuries
Medical providers may take photos of bruises, cuts, dog bites, restraint marks, taser marks, or other visible injuries. Find out if those are part of your medical record, and if they’re not, whether or not you can request a copy.
You should also take your own photos. Start immediately after the incident and continue taking photos as they progress over time. Take close-up photos for details and wider shots proving where the injury is on your body and that it is on your body. Do not edit or filter the images at all.
Records From Follow-Up Providers
If your injuries are significant enough, you’ll likely have to go see follow-up providers, such as your primary care doctor, neurologist, physical therapist, or mental health provider. The actual specialists you see depend on your injuries.
Documentation from follow-up care proves that you are doing your part to get your injuries treated and work towards a full recovery. Gaps in treatment can be used to imply that your injuries were not serious or that you were intentionally withholding care.
Jail or In-Custody Records
You’ll likely need to request jail or in-custody records if you were arrested during or after the excessive force incident. Your records may include booking screens, health questionnaires, nurse notes, and sick-call requests. These records are particularly important if you aren’t able to get to a doctor right away after an injury, so the jail’s own records may be your main proof that the altercation caused your injuries. Your excessive force lawyer may help you request these records.
Explore Your Options With Our Police Brutality Law Firm
The team at the Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo is committed to helping people like you hold police officers accountable when they use excessive force. Let’s talk about your options now. Call us at 818-347-3333 or get in touch online.
