Section 15-4.Medical Evidence

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis section requires a party planning to use a hospital record at trial to have it on file in the clerk’s office twenty-four hours beforehand, and puts counsel on notice to arrange for medical testimony when the records alone will not do the job.

Full Text of Section 15-4

Text size

A party who plans to offer a hospital record in evidence shall have the record in the clerk’s office twenty-four hours prior to trial. The judge holding the civil jury shall, at the opening session, order that all such records be available for inspection in the clerk’s office to any counsel of record under the supervision of the clerk. Counsel must recognize their responsibility to have medical testimony available when needed and shall, when necessary, subpoena medical witnesses to that end.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 290.)

Plain-English Summary

Before trial, a party who wants to put a hospital record into evidence must get that record to the clerk’s office at least twenty-four hours ahead of time. Once the civil jury docket opens, the judge overseeing it directs the clerk to make all such records available for any counsel of record to inspect, under the clerk’s supervision.

The section also reminds counsel that a hospital record is not a substitute for a witness. If medical testimony will be needed to explain or support the record, counsel must line up that testimony in advance and subpoena the medical witness when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead of trial must a hospital record be filed with the clerk in Connecticut?

At least twenty-four hours before trial, the record must be on file in the clerk’s office so it is available for inspection.

Who can inspect a hospital record filed under Section 15-4?

Any counsel of record may inspect the filed hospital records in the clerk’s office, under the clerk’s supervision, once the judge orders them available.

Does filing a hospital record replace the need for a medical witness?

No. Counsel remains responsible for arranging medical testimony when it is needed and must subpoena a medical witness to secure that testimony.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 15-4). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: hospital records at trial CTmedical evidence rule Connecticutfiling hospital records with clerksubpoena medical witness Connecticut trialclerk inspection of hospital records