Injuries are traumatic events that cause more than just physical pain or discomfort. They can cause emotional stress, long lasting psychological effects, and financial burden. If your injury was due to another’s negligence or directly cause by another party, you are entitled to compensation. It’s almost always a fight to get your benefits, however, and it’s unwise to attempt it alone. You’ll need to seek out services like these personal injury law firms in Mississauga.
Once you have an attorney, they’ll be able to fight for you and prove the defendant’s liability. If successful, this will result in compensation for any damages suffered and potential penalties for those responsible. Don’t sit things out completely, though. While your attorney is the expert on the case, there are still things you can do to help it run smoothly.
Medical Care
One of the most crucial things for you to do is seek immediate medical treatment, regardless of the severity of the injury. Be straightforward and honest with your doctor about any pain or unusual sensations. This will help with your diagnosis as well as establish the initial medical record that will be instrumental in your case. Injuries are costly both in medical expenses and work loss, and an accurate assessment of your injury will help determine the value of damages owed.
Naturally, the defendant is likely to do everything in their power to minimize the severity of your injury to either avoid or reduce payment. This is why it will be important to go through any follow up treatments, like scans or surgeries, and keep going to your doctor. Maintaining an updated medical record will show the extent or your injury honestly. This will be on of the most crucial pieces of evidence for your claim.
Collect Other Evidence
In order to make a strong claim, you’ll need to provide your attorney with as much evidence as possible. This will include any photographic or video evidence of the event and location. You’ll also want to bring any accident or police reports as well as contact information for any involved doctors or witnesses. In addition to helping with the initial case preparation, this will establish you as a cooperative client, and will help cement your attorney’s interest in your case.
Collection of evidence should be ongoing throughout the case. Record any of your financial losses including your medical costs as well as any money you would have made if not for the injury. You’ll need to show pay stubs from before and after the event. Save any further documents related to the case, and keep a record of all communication.
Effective Communication
Speaking of communication, you’ll need to keep in contact with your doctor(s) and attorney for the duration of the case. Make sure to keep your attorney updated about your medical status. The pace of your recovery and the impact the injury has made on your activities is important information for the case. If it seems that the injury will require ongoing care, this can affect the estimated value of damages, as well.
Do your best to keep any communication about the case between you and your attorney. If you are contacted by insurance companies, inform them that you have representation and have them call your attorney. If you have to use the internet or social media, don’t make anything about the case or your injury public. The defendant will use any piece of evidence they can to dispute or minimize your claim.
It can be difficult to make a successful claim, but following these ideas will give you your best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.