The medical team made a serious error that injured you, but when you try to prove what happened, their story suddenly changes. The chart now shows they provided perfect care. But here’s what they don’t want you to know: when medical professionals alter records after an injury occurs, they often make mistakes that actually strengthen your case.
Poor documentation and obvious record tampering can turn a difficult malpractice case into a winning one. When hospitals try to cover up their mistakes, they frequently create evidence of negligence that’s even more damaging than the original error.
1. Impossible Timeline Entries
Medical staff often backdate entries to make it appear they provided timely care when they actually delayed treatment. These fabricated timestamps frequently create impossible scenarios—like a nurse documenting patient assessments while simultaneously being in surgery, or recording vital signs at times when the patient was in another department. Electronic medical records make these timeline errors easy to detect and prove. Late additions also frequently contain information that wasn’t available at the supposed time of documentation.
2. Handwriting Analysis Contradictions
When staff add false entries to paper charts, they often use different pens, handwriting styles, or paper that doesn’t match the original documentation. Forensic handwriting analysis can prove these entries were made after the fact, demonstrating the hospital’s consciousness of guilt.
3. Contradictory Medical Information
Altered charts often contain medical information that contradicts other documented evidence. For example, a chart might claim a patient was alert and oriented while simultaneously showing they were sedated, or document normal vital signs when monitors recorded dangerous readings. These internal contradictions prove someone fabricated entries to hide negligent care.
4. Missing Critical Documentation
Hospitals sometimes “lose” key documents that would prove negligence, like fetal monitoring strips in birth injury cases or surgical notes during complications. However, partial records often reference the missing documentation, proving it once existed. Additionally, other departments frequently maintain duplicate records that contradict the hospital’s claims about lost files.
Document Tampering Is Evidence of Guilt
Don’t let hospitals convince you that perfect medical records prove perfect care. When documentation seems too good to be true, it probably is. Experienced legal representation knows how to spot fraudulent entries and use them to strengthen your case.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can analyze your medical records for signs of tampering and alteration. When hospitals try to hide their mistakes through fraudulent documentation, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
