Referring to Case Study #2, the written answers to questions you have been asked to provide are known as a(n)

An interrogatory is a formal discovery tool used in litigation that consists of a series of written questions served by one party to another. The receiving party is legally required to provide written answers under oath. This method is used to obtain specific factual information about the case from the opposing party before trial. The term encompasses both the written questions asked and the written answers provided in response.

B. deposition: This is a pretrial discovery tool where a witness provides oral testimony under oath in response to questions from an attorney; it is not written.

C. physical and mental examination: This is a court-ordered evaluation of a party's condition by a medical professional, not a set of written questions and answers provided by the party.

D. court order: This is a directive issued by a judge. While a court order might compel a party to answer interrogatories, it is not the discovery tool itself.

1. Brodnik

M. S.

Rinehart-Thompson

L. A.

& Reynolds

R. B. (2016). Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Information Management (3rd ed.). AHIMA Press. In Chapter 3

"The Legal System

" the section on "Discovery" defines interrogatories as "written questions presented to a party or witness designed to gather information" (p. 61).

2. Oachs

P. K.

& Watters

A. J. (Eds.). (2020). Health Information Management: Concepts

Principles

and Practice (6th ed.). AHIMA Press. In Chapter 23

"Legal Process and E-Discovery

" the text describes interrogatories as "written questions that the parties to a lawsuit send each other to ascertain details of matters at issue in the lawsuit" (p. 718).

3. Johns

M. L. (2015). Health Information Management Technology: An Applied Approach (4th ed.). AHIMA Press. Chapter 4

"The Legal and Regulatory Environment

" explains under "The Litigation Process" that "Interrogatories are written questions that must be answered in writing under oath" (p. 111).