Going through a personal injury claim is tough for a variety of different reasons. But the foundation of it is based on your actual injuries and the records that come with them. Which brings up questions about what you should do when an insurance company asks you to sign a medical release form so they can get your records. Maison Law and our California personal injury lawyers can answer your questions and help you through the process. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Sign an Insurance Company’s Medical Release Form?
One of the first things an insurance company is going to ask when you file a claim against their policy is for you to fill out their forms. And when you’re dealing with a liability insurance policy, that means being asked to fill out a medical release form.
This is a form that:
- Allows the insurance company to request and review your medical records, doctor’s notes, test results, medications, and bills.
Crucially, medical release forms are compliant with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). So one of the main reasons why you shouldn’t sign one—privacy—is waived if you do.
But more to the question, whether or not you should sign one is up to you. Ultimately, though, you shouldn’t sign a medical release form right away—or at all if:
- It’s too broad
- It can be used to downplay your injuries
- You don’t understand the language
Just because an insurance company asks you to sign a medical release doesn’t mean you should. Most of the time, they’re doing it in the hopes that you’ll quickly sign and forget about it. And that would then give the insurance company access to some of the most personal information you have.
Can I Provide My Own Medical Records For My Injury Claim?
A big reason why you shouldn’t sign an insurance company’s medical release form is that it gives the insurance company control over your records. They already have most of the control in the injury claims process anyway, so giving them even more control is usually not the best path forward.
But even if you don’t sign, you’re going to have to provide documentation and evidence of your injuries to the insurance company so they can evaluate them and the rest of your claim. That usually means providing your own medical records, like your:
- ER or urgent care visits
- Doctor’s notes and follow-ups
- Imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Physical therapy records
- Medical bills
Your medical records are the very foundation of your injury claim. They show what injuries you’re left with, the treatment you’re going through, what your future prognosis looks like, and how expensive it’s been for you.
But even more importantly, they connect your injuries to the accident in question. In short, providing your specific medical records tied to the accident is something that an insurance company can’t argue against. If they have full access to your medical history, they could cherry-pick through to find pre-existing injuries or other accidents.
And the more wiggle room they have, the more they’ll try to use it.
Maison Law Can Help You Through the Insurance Process in California
You’re not required to bring in a lawyer after an accident in California. But if the insurance company is dragging things out, asking for broad medical releases, or brushing off the records you’ve already provided, handling it on your own can start to feel like a dead end.
That’s where Maison Law comes in. We step in to keep things focused and moving, especially when it comes to how your medical information is being used. Our California personal injury team will:
- Walk you through your options in plain terms
- Help you gather and organize the right medical records—without over-sharing
- Look closely at what happened so the claim stays grounded in facts
- Handle the back-and-forth with the insurance company
- Push back when they ask for unnecessary access or make low offers
- File a lawsuit if that’s what it takes to keep things moving
The goal is simple: keep your claim on track while you focus on your recovery. If you’ve been asked to sign a medical release or you’re not sure what records to send, we can walk through it with you and help you take the next step. Set up a free consultation today.
