In North Carolina, you can request your ER radiology records by sending a written request or HIPAA-compliant authorization to the hospital’s Health Information Management/Release of Information office with your full name, date of birth, dates of service, a copy of your photo ID, and a clear description of what you want (radiology reports and the actual CT/x-ray images). Parents or legal guardians may request for minors, except for limited services minors can consent to themselves. Providers may charge state-regulated copy fees and typically must respond within 30 days, but they cannot refuse records because a bill is unpaid or require you to assign settlement funds to get copies.
You want to know exactly what to give a North Carolina hospital so you can obtain your ER CT scans and x-rays for a personal injury claim. As the injured driver taken by ambulance to the emergency room, you need a straightforward checklist to get both the radiology reports and the image files, and to understand how requests work if a child’s records are involved.
Under North Carolina law, patients have a right to copies of their medical records, and providers may charge regulated copy fees. For accident-related care, hospitals and certain providers also have statutory liens on settlement proceeds, but those liens do not control record access. For minors, a parent or legal guardian usually signs the authorization unless the visit involved specific services a minor can consent to alone. The main office handling these requests is the hospital’s Health Information Management (HIM) or Release of Information (ROI) department. Providers generally must respond within 30 days to a records request.
Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you were transported by ambulance and treated in the ER, send a signed HIPAA authorization and photo ID to the hospital’s HIM/ROI office identifying your ER date(s) and asking for both radiology reports and the actual CT/x-ray images. If you also need a child’s imaging, a parent or legal guardian can usually sign; if the visit involved services minors can consent to independently, the minor’s signature may be required. You do not need to sign an assignment of benefits to receive records; any provider liens are addressed later from the settlement under state lien rules.
To get your ER CT scans and x-rays in North Carolina, submit a signed HIPAA authorization and photo ID to the hospital’s Health Information Management office that clearly lists your ER date(s) and requests both the radiology reports and image files. Providers may charge regulated copy fees and generally must respond within 30 days. Medical liens attach to settlements and are handled later; you do not need to sign an assignment of benefits to obtain your records. Send your request today to start the 30‑day clock.
If you're dealing with getting ER CT scans and x-rays for an injury claim, 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.
