Claims sometimes can take several years to resolve. Accordingly, it is important that you keep accurate notes concerning the progression of your treatment and condition. Accordingly, do the following:
1. Keep a journal describing the pain and discomfort that you have experienced since your accident occurred, both emotionally and physically. Use the words: burning pain, pins and needles, numbing, etc. Please also indicate how your normal daily activities have been limited or affected by the injuries sustained in this accident and the effect these injuries have had upon the quality and enjoyment of your life. Indicate in particular any pain that you experience in areas of your body, the period of time you are confined to a bed, any restrictions upon your daily activities, when you start to resume your daily activities, any particular episodes of pain or limitation or restrictions that you may have when you start to resume your daily activities. Please forward this diary to your attorney and continue to make entries as you experience episodes of pain and discomfort.
2. Make sure you describe all of the ongoing problems that you are experiencing to your treating doctor. If your doctor recommends any additional treatment or testing including an EMG, epidural injections, etc., please follow-up and make sure you advise your attorney of the same so that he/she can make sure that all updated reports and records are received.
3. Forward to your attorney any explanation of benefits from your insurance company regarding payments made to medical providers for injuries sustained in this accident along with copies of any medical bills.
4. Forward to your attorney original prints or color copies of any and all photographs in your possession taken of the injury site and/or your injuries.
5. Obtain and keep in your possession all x-rays films, MRI films or photographic evidence of other diagnostic tests which the doctors prescribe. It has been our experience that hospitals and doctors sometimes loose or misplace x-rays and MRI films and therefore, they are not available for trial. Thus, you should keep these in a safe and convenient place at your home. Please make sure you retain all MRI films and x-rays in your possession as your attorney will need to make trial exhibits out of those films at some point in the future.
6. Keep a daily diary indicating the doctors who you see and the treatment prescribed. Retain prescription bottles and any orthopedic or other devices prescribed by the doctors.
7. Make sure you tell your doctors all your complaints. I know that we attempt to minimize our complaints, however, it is important that any complaints of pain that you may be experiencing be placed in your medical records no matter how minimal you perceive them to be.
8. Report any changes in the course of your treatment, when you are released from treatment by your doctors, when you return to work, when your start to resume your daily activities, and most importantly of any change in your address or phone number.
9. Do not give any statements to anyone concerning the happening of this accident or the nature and extent of your injuries. If someone attempts to contact you just advise them that you are represented by counsel.
10. Keep all documents that you receive in a safe and convenient location as you may need to refer to those documents prior to future proceedings.