Short Answer

In North Carolina, you need medical records that diagnose your injuries, link them to the incident, and show the treatment you received and the cost. Itemized bills and proof of amounts paid (including insurance or Medicaid payments) are key because courts focus on amounts actually paid, not just amounts charged. Certified copies or affidavits can authenticate records without live testimony. Keep seeing your providers and save referrals, test results, and any work or activity restrictions.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina personal injury cases, can you prove your headaches and blurred vision came from the incident at the store, and what medical paperwork must you gather to support a pre-suit demand and, if needed, a lawsuit?

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, you prove injury claims with competent medical evidence: records that show diagnosis, treatment, causation, and costs. The main forum is the civil division of the Superior or District Court (depending on the amount at stake). A common timing trigger is the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury, measured from the date of the incident; procedures and deadlines can change, so confirm your specific deadline.

Key Requirements

• Diagnosis and symptoms: Office notes detailing complaints (e.g., headaches/blurred vision), exam findings, and diagnoses.
• Causation: Provider notes tying the condition to the store incident (e.g., “onset after fall”); referral paths also help show continuity.
• Treatment timeline: Records of ER/urgent care, primary care, specialists, imaging, therapies, medications, and follow-ups.
• Itemized bills and paid amounts: Itemized statements plus explanations of benefits (EOBs) or account ledgers showing what was actually paid and any balances/lien claims.
• Reasonableness/necessity proof: Patient or custodian testimony/affidavit with itemized bills to establish charges were reasonable and necessary.
• Authentication: Certified records or custodian affidavits so records come in without live witnesses under business-records rules.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-58.1 (proof of medical expenses) - Itemized bills with brief testimony/affidavit are prima facie evidence of reasonableness/necessity.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-44.2 (medical records; copies; authentication) - Allows admission of medical records via proper certification/affidavit.
• N.C. R. Evid. 803(6) (business records exception) - Lets medical records in as business records when properly supported.
• N.C. R. Evid. 414 (medical expenses; amounts paid) - Limits proof of past medical expenses to amounts actually paid or owed.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Your headaches and blurred vision should be reflected in your primary care notes and the specialist’s records once you’re seen. Ask providers to note the incident date and that symptoms started after the store event to support causation. Collect itemized bills and EOBs/Medicaid payment summaries so we can show what was actually paid and any remaining balances or liens. Certified copies or custodian affidavits will let us use the records without calling each provider.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Injured person (through counsel). Where: Pre-suit demand goes to the store’s insurer/claims office; lawsuits are filed in North Carolina District or Superior Court. What: Gather HIPAA-compliant authorizations; request itemized bills, records, imaging, and EOBs; obtain custodian affidavits for records. When: Start immediately; the general personal-injury deadline is three years from the incident.
2. If providers delay, follow up in writing; if needed in litigation, use subpoenas and request certified records so they are admissible without live testimony. Allow several weeks for complete records and lien statements (insurers/Medicaid).
3. Assemble the demand: summary of injuries and treatment, itemized bills with proof of paid amounts, lien information, and certified key records. If unresolved, file a civil complaint before the limitations period expires.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Gaps in treatment can undercut causation; keep appointments and document symptoms consistently.
• Only amounts actually paid or owed for past medical bills are admissible; include EOBs/ledger printouts, not just chargemaster totals.
• Health plan, Medicare, or Medicaid may assert liens; request lien letters early and track updates to avoid settlement delays.
• Authentication matters; get certified records or custodian affidavits so your records come in under the business-records rules.
• Pre-existing conditions don’t bar recovery, but you’ll need baseline records to show what changed after the incident.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with injuries from a store incident and need to assemble the right medical proof, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at [919-341-7055].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.