Releasing your documents in Florida: Medical paperwork

Your medical information is private in Florida. You and the doctors who work with you to help you get the care you need are the only people who see these documents outside administrative needs at the hospital. When you’ve been injured and are seeking compensation, you will need to provide information about your injuries to the court and your lawyer. You need to have the right medical paperwork in order to put together a strong personal injury case.

You will have to sign a medical release form in order for your attorney or others to view your medical papers. The release will only allow those you indicate to see the medical information. This is because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA, requires patient information to be strictly confidential when it contains medical information. In order to release your information, you must waive your rights to HIPAA protection with a release form.

Did you know that even if you have a physical injury, you could be asked for your mental health history? The files have to be reviewed to tell if your psychiatric medications conflicted with others given by a medical team or if there is a chance you may have suffered additional mental pain and suffering that you can claim for.

You may also have to provide prescription drug information, information on medical invoices and other documents. If an attorney has a medical professional on staff, this doctor may look over the records to help review your case. Others will seek assistance from independent physicians who are not associated with the people you are claiming against.

Source: FindLaw, “Medical Records Release Form” Oct. 29, 2014