Dear John: I recently lost my mother to a pulmonary embolism, and I believe that this tragedy is a case of wrongful death.

I say that because the very last time I spoke to my mother, she said she had an appointment to see her physician.

Four days later my grandmother told me she was dead.

I’m in prison and I don’t have anyone to help me get her medical records. I need proof of our relationship for the hospital’s records office.

Please help me so I can get my beloved mother’s medical records. T.C.

Dear T.C.: I’m very sorry to hear about your mother.

I spoke to a lawyer about this, and he said the medical records shouldn’t be hard to get.

Proving malpractice may be quite difficult, however.

The lawyer said attorneys have no trouble getting these records. All they have to do is ask.

Sometimes, a hospital might drag its feet if they know a lawsuit is coming, but I can’t see that happening because it will just make matters worse.

Since you don’t have a lawyer, you should go on a website like Rocketlaywer.com and get a HIPAA authorization form for medical records release and send it to the hospital.

If that doesn’t work, get back to me.