How to Build a Timeline of Your Medical Care
A clear, dated timeline of your care helps an attorney and expert see what happened and when — which is often where a malpractice claim lives. This checklist helps you build one.
Start at the first relevant visit
Begin with the first symptom or visit connected to the harm, and record the date, the provider, and what was said and done.
Record each visit, test, and result
For each step, note the date, who you saw, what tests were ordered, the results, and what was recommended or missed.
Note delays and gaps
Highlight where results were not followed up, referrals were delayed, or something you raised was not addressed. These moments often matter.
Capture what you were told
Record what providers told you about your diagnosis, the risks, and the plan — including anything about consent — in their words if you can.
Keep it factual
Stick to dates and facts rather than conclusions. A clear factual timeline is what lets an expert assess the standard of care.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to medical malpractice.
Keep going
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.