PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS
In litigation, to be successful you must be prepared. Comprehensive and proper preparation is essential. You must use your intelligence and good judgment, and cooperate with your attorney to ensure a solid case foundation. It is also important that you DO NOT discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney or your doctor.
The initial work-up of your case requires your assistance and participation. In return, we will afford you conscientious, faithful and diligent service, seeking at all time to achieve a resolution that is just and reasonable. To that end, we request and encourage your inquires, communication, cooperation, assistance and the following information:
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE INCIDENT SITE. These photographs should depict the scene as you saw it the date you were injured. Normally four to six photographs are sufficient. Please be sure at least one photograph accurately depicts your view of the incident site. Photographs should also be taken of the damage to your automobile, if appropriate;
PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR INJURIES. These photographs should be taken throughout your recovery and/or following any medical treatment which in any way alters your injuries. (We will supplement your photographs with professional photographs where appropriate);
A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MEDICAL PROVIDERS. This list should include all hospitals, doctors, physical therapy centers, chiropractors, diagnostic testing centers, (i.e. extra x-rays not taken at your doctor's office, EMGs MRIs, etc.);
**PLEASE BE SURE TO NOTIFY OUR OFFICE WHENEVER YOU RECEIVE TREATMENT AND/OR TESTING BY A NEW MEDICAL PROVIDER, PROVIDING A COMPLETE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROVIDER.**
A COPY OF MEDICAL BILLS INCURRED FOR YOUR TREATMENT. The original bills should be submitted to the insurance carrier who will be the primary payor (i.e. automobile insurance company for automobile accident claims, health insurer for other personal injury claims, and worker's compensation carrier for work-related claims);
**Please also understand that it is your responsibility to see to it that all medical bills are submitted to the appropriate insurance company/companies, and any outstanding balances are your responsibility.**
**PLEASE BE SURE TO ADVISE OUR OFFICE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE TO COVER THE BILLS FOR OUR TREATMENT.**
However, if you do run into difficulties with any insurance company in getting your bills paid once they are submitted, please contact our office at once and we will do our best to assist you.;
**Please be sure to sign the Medical Authorizations so we may obtain the necessary medical documentation from the medical providers.
The name, address and policy number of all insurance companies who may remit payment for your medical treatment, as well as the claim number and claim representative assigned to handle the claim.
If we are representing you for an automobile accident, we must have a copy of the Declaration Sheet of your automobile insurance policy which would cover the date of the incident, and which outlines your PIP coverage as well as your tort threshold.
EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION/WAGE LOSS CLAIM. If you were employed on the date of the incident, please provide the name and address of your employer, the dates you were unable to work due to your injuries, and whether you received any wages during the time you were off of work. Please also be sure to sign the Employment Authorization so we may obtain verification directly from your employer.
Finally, we would request you to prepare a PAIN AND SUFFERING INFORMATION STATEMENT which would describe in detail the extent that your injuries have affected your life, your family's life, the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, the emotional, physical and/or economic losses incurred, and any other relevant details. (Please note that examples are extremely useful, such as "Due to my injuries, I was not able to - play a certain sport or attend certain functions - with my children and/or my spouse.)
It is our office policy to send "carbon copies" of all correspondence to our clients. It is suggested that you maintain a file at home of all documents you receive. In that way, you can review the documents at any time to refresh your recollection.
Unfortunately, it may take some time to resolve your case. We first must wait until you complete your medical treatment so we can gather ACCURATE AND COMPLETE medical records.
If a lawsuit must be filed, the Court rules require that you answer written questions about your case (called "INTERROGATORIES"), attend a "question-and-answer" session about your case (called a "DEPOSITION") and may have to attend a medical examination with a doctor selected by the defense attorney.
A non-binding arbitration will be scheduled by the Court about eighteen (18) months after your lawsuit is filed.
If the case does not settle after the arbitration, a trial date will be scheduled about three (3) months later.
Please feel free to telephone our office to find out the status of your case at any time.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND PRESENTED BY THE FIRM OF KANTOR AND LINDEROTH, ESQ. IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A GENERAL FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF THE LEGAL ISSUES CONTAINED THEREIN. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS NOT INTENDED TO BE PROVIDED AS LEGAL ADVICE, WHICH CAN ONLY BE APPROPRIATELY PROVIDED AFTER A FULL DISCUSSION WITH AN ATTORNEY WHERE THE FULL FACTS OF A PARTICULAR SITUATION ARE REVIEWED.