If you have been injured, there is utility in keeping a personal injury journal. The purpose of a personal injury journal is to document your experiences in real time. Because your recovery may take weeks, or even months, having a personal injury journal makes it easier to recall events later, should you need this information. At Hilton & Somer, LLC, our personal injury attorneys know how difficult recovery can be. We also know how challenging it can be to recall day to day details months or years after the fact. Thus, the personal injury journal can help.
Document Doctor’s Appointments
Because you may be entitled to compensation, document each doctor’s visit. But don’t just include the fact that you went to a doctor’s appointment. Include your cab fare, mileage, and parking expenses as well. Document whether you had to take time off work, or missed the potential for overtime. Finally, document any recommendations or limitations you receive from your doctor. If you are told not to lift over 20 pounds, write this in your personal injury journal. If you are provided additional pain medication, make sure this is documented in your personal injury journal.
Document Pain Levels
Each day, take some time to document your pain levels. Pain can be difficult to recall long after the fact. Consequently, it is important to keep a real time record of the pain you experience day to day. Rate your pain, so you can compare one day to the next. Document limitations due to your pains. If you can’t get out of bed, document this. If you can’t put any weight on your left foot, document this.
Do Your Best to Be Accurate
When jurors give feedback on witnesses in personal injury cases, often they express concern that the witness either overstated or understated their pain and suffering. Overstate your pain, and jurors may think you are attempting to obtain more money than you deserve. Understate your pain, and the jurors won’t know how much pain you have been in, and may not compensate you as you deserve. By creating a clear record, with a scale that reflects pain day to day, you are ensuring your subsequent testimony, if necessary, is accurate and complete.
Document What You Miss Out On
If you miss your child’s play, because you can’t handle the stairs at your child’s school, document this. If you can’t stay awake to help your child with their spelling words, document this. If your injury prevents you from keeping house the way you used to, make sure to enter this in your personal injury journal. There is no inconvenience to small to document, in order to have a complete record of the consequences of your accident.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This includes medical bills, transportation costs, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. At Hilton & Somer, LLC, we have experience helping injured people throughout Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland. We do not charge for our consultations, so there is no risk to you. Contact us to set up a consultation by calling (703) 560-0700. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you.
