You should document your injuries after a slip and fall accident by seeking medical attention promptly and keeping your post-accident medical records, such as insurance forms, hospital discharge instructions, physical therapy protocols, and imaging reports. Your initial medical exam records are vital because they document the pain and injuries that resulted from your fall.
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident in Southern California, you can trust our team at Salamati Law Firm to fight for your right to maximum compensation. We can help you compile documentation, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, take your case to trial. Contact us for a free consultation; we can answer your questions and assess your case to see if you have a viable personal injury claim.
How Do I Document My Recovery?
Keep comprehensive and consistent notes as you recover in a treatment journal. Include the names and addresses of all your healthcare providers, including physical therapists and chiropractors. In addition, save all correspondence from them. This should include emails, notes from appointments, and notes you take during or after phone calls.
Try to make the treatment journal part of your daily routine. Use a method you’re comfortable with to encourage consistency.
Consider the following:
- Use the notes section on your phone
- Send brief emails to yourself
- Buy a weekly planner and use it to record your recovery
- Record voice messages
Each time you make a journal entry, include the date and time and be as specific as possible. For example, perhaps you could walk a half mile for three consecutive days, but on the fourth day, you couldn’t because the pain was too great. Talk about your limitations; for example, can you walk outside to pick up the mail, drive, cook, or attend a meeting?
In addition, include this information.
- Pain levels in the morning, afternoon, and evening
- What, if anything, prevents you from getting a good night’s rest
- Mobility issues. For example, can you do laundry, shop, or garden?
- Daily Medication. What medications are you taking daily? Indicate the dosages for each one and at what time you took them.
- Current physical therapies and how you feel afterward.
The more detailed, the better—it’s hard to refute a well-organized treatment journal.
Why Are Medical Records So Important?
Your medical records will function as crucial evidence for your lawsuit against the owner or operator of the property where your slip and fall accident happened. These records can include imaging results, initial treatment reports, benefit letters, and test results. Because medical expenses are essential to your compensation, ensure your records are thorough—as this will give you and your lawyer a significant advantage.
How Salamati Law Firm Can Help
Medical records come from third parties such as hospitals, imaging centers, rehabilitation centers, and insurance companies. Obtaining them takes a lot of time and energy, which can be challenging when struggling with physical pain. Your slip and fall lawyer can help by obtaining them and building a solid case so that you can focus on healing.
Salamati Law is dedicated to personal injury victims in Southern California. We work tirelessly to maintain close communication with our clients. From navigating a maze of medical bills and investigations to filing suit and arguing before a jury, we are trusted by litigants and respected by opposing counsel. Schedule a free consultation today. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
