During a personal injury trial, the plaintiff testifies that she told her doctor, 'My back has been hurting since the car accident.' The defense objects, arguing the statement is inadmissible hearsay. The plaintiff’s attorney argues that the statement is admissible under a recognized exception to the hearsay rule. Should the court admit the statement as evidence?
Yes, the statement is admissible because it was made to assist the doctor in diagnosing and treating the plaintiff's condition.
No, the statement is inadmissible because it is self-serving and offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
No, the statement is inadmissible because it references the car accident, which is an external event rather than a medical condition.
Yes, the statement is admissible because it describes symptoms that could impact the doctor’s understanding of the injury.
The statement is admissible because it was made for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment. Statements made to a medical professional that describe symptoms, medical history, or the cause of an injury are likely admissible under this hearsay exception, provided the information was relevant to the diagnosis or treatment. Here, the plaintiff's statement connects her back pain to the car accident, and such details are essential for determining the cause and appropriate medical care. Other answers are incorrect because they improperly focus on extraneous issues, such as the plaintiff’s motivations or perceived self-interest, which are not determinative in applying this hearsay exception.
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What is the hearsay rule and how does it apply in this context?
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