There are several things that you can do to help your attorney prepare for your case. However, please remember, it is very important that you do not talk to anyone about your case without your attorney's permission. Here are some suggestions of how you can help your attorney defend your case.

1. Create a time line of the child's recent and extended medical history (since birth)

a. Have there been any falls, traumas or head injuries during or since birth?

b. Has the child shown any of the following symptoms now or at anytime since birth:

· Lethargy?
· Vomiting?
· Failure to feed?
· Inconsolable crying or unusual sounding cries (cat cries etc.)?
· Change in eating patterns (off food)?
· Positional discomfort?
· Seizures?
· Large head?
· Developmental delay?
· Clumsiness?

c. Were there any doctor visits in the last 3 weeks?

· What was the reason(s) for the visit(s)?
· Was a head circumference taken?
· Were head injuries or falls reported?
· Was the child given any tests?
· Was a vaccination given?

2. Create a timeline of the child's recent history (1-3 days)

a. Was anyone else with the baby, unsupervised for the last three days?

b. Were there any falls or head injuries?

c. How was the baby acting?

d. Was he or she showing any signs of increased intracranial pressure (listed above)?

3. Compile all of the medical records since birth. If you are the child's parent, you can sign a consent form and obtain them from your physician. Otherwise, your attorney will have to subpoena them. The following is a list of records that your attorney will need to aid in your case:

a. Pregnancy health history of the mother
b. Birth records
c. Well-baby checkups
d. Vaccination records
e. Coagulation studies
f. Paramedic records
g. Vaccination Records
h. Daycare records
j. ER records
k. Treatment records
l. Follow-up records

4. Learn the science and collect published medical articles that support your position. Do not bother overloading your attorney with information off of the web that is not published in a peer reviewed medical journal' your attorney will not be able to use it in court. Instead, take some time to go through the medical literature and find information pertinent to your case.

Childhood Head Injury Investigation Workbook
(Word document)

Medical Records Request

Medical Record Release Form