Narrative Reports for Soft Tissue Injuries personal Injury Cases
Narrative Reports for Soft Tissue Injuries personal Injury Cases
In our experience, this is far and away the greatest downfall in the well managed soft tissue case. We, as a profession, have become dependent on the computer generated narrative report.
In our opinion, and that of the legal community as well, these types of reports often do not represent original thought or an accurate depiction of the patient’s condition. The various legal arenas involved in personal injury suits take a very dim light as to the veracity of these types of reports.
The narrative report must also be an accurate reflection of the treatment rendered. All sections of the report should correlate to eliminate inconsistencies, and above all should represent accurate and original work. Remember, the attorney will use the report as a settlement tool. It should contain answers, not new problems.
The quality and accuracy of the narrative report should not be underestimated.
It alone represents months of care, the patient’s basis for future medical considerations, prognosis, and most important of all, reimbursement for the services rendered. “He who botches the report, botches the case.”