How Do You File a Claim for a Back Injury in Pennsylvania?

Back injuries can be painful and debilitating. They can also be extremely expensive. As a result, if you have suffered a back injury in an accident, it is critical that you seek just compensation. How do you file a claim for a back injury in Pennsylvania? Here are some of the key steps for protecting your legal rights:

10 Key Steps for Protecting Your Legal Rights After Suffering a Back Injury

1. Get the Treatment You Need as Soon as Possible

First and foremost, if you have suffered a back injury in an accident, you should get the treatment you need as soon as possible. Treatment options for back injuries vary widely depending on the nature of the injury and the severity of the trauma endured. As a result, it is essential to see a specialist who can accurately diagnose your injury and provide an appropriate treatment recommendation. If you aren’t sure where to go for treatment, we can help.

2. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice Regarding Recovery and Therapy

Once you have received treatment for your back injury, you will need to follow your doctor’s advice regarding recovery and therapy. Not only is this important for making sure your injury heals as fully as possible, but it is also important for protecting your claim. If you ignore your doctor’s advice, the insurance companies will use this against you—and it could prevent you from recovering all of the financial compensation you need.

3. Keep Track of Your Medical Records and Medical Bills

You should keep track of your medical records and medical bills to the best of your ability. These will be key evidence in support of your claim for just compensation. If you lose track of any of your medical records or medical bills, don’t worry—your lawyer will be able to track them down for you—but having your records readily available will help streamline the process.

4. Keep Track of Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

Along with keeping track of your medical records and medical bills, you should also keep track of your out-of-pocket costs resulting from the accident. These costs typically fall into two broad categories:

• Costs such as prescriptions, medical supplies and transportation
• Loss of income and benefits during the recovery process

If you have a claim for a back injury in Pennsylvania, these are all costs that you can—and should—seek to recover.  But, it is up to you (and your lawyer) to prove how much financial compensation you deserve.

5. Take Detailed Notes About Your Accident

In addition to proving how much financial compensation you deserve, filing a successful claim for a back injury also involves proving who (or what company) is responsible. With this in mind, you should take detailed notes about your accident as soon as possible—before key details start to fade from your mind. While your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation, your lawyer will have to rely on you initially to determine where to look for evidence. With this in mind, the more details you can write down, the better.

6. Keep Any Photos, Videos, Reports or Other Potential Evidence

If you were able to take photos or videos at the accident scene, if you have a copy of the police report, or if you have any other potential evidence, you should keep these to share with your lawyer as well. At this stage, you should not be getting rid of anything that could potentially be relevant to your claim for just compensation.

7. Document the Day-to-Day Effects of Your Back Injury

As you work to move on from your accident, your back injury is likely to impact your life in various ways. To assist with proving the damages you are entitled to recover, you should do your best to document the day-to-day effects of your back injury as thoroughly as possible. This includes documenting:

• Your pain levels throughout the day
• Any events or gatherings you are forced to miss
• Any activities or chores you are unable to perform
• Any feelings of anxiety or depression related to your back injury

These are all classified as “non-financial losses” under Pennsylvania law. When you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will use his or her experience and the documentation you are able to provide to determine how much you are entitled to recover for these losses.

8. Be Very Careful When Dealing with the Insurance Companies

Even before you file a claim, you may be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company. If an insurance adjuster contacts you, you need to be very careful to avoid saying anything that could jeopardize your claim for just compensation. One of the best (and simplest) ways to deal with insurance adjusters is to let them know that your personal injury lawyer will be in touch.

9. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to File Your Claim

If it is not apparent already, you will want to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to help with your claim. Your lawyer will be able to file your claim for you, and then your lawyer will be able to fight for just compensation on your behalf.

10. Work with Your Lawyer to Seek the Full Compensation You Deserve

Once your lawyer files your claim, there is still more work to be done. Your lawyer will need to prove who was at fault in the accident and how much you are entitled to recover, and your lawyer will need to use the available evidence to seek a favorable settlement. It will be important for you to work closely with your lawyer throughout this process—including working with your lawyer to make an informed decision about settling your back injury claim if an offer is on the table.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation About Your Back Injury Claim Today

With offices in Allentown, Bethlehem, Doylestown, Easton and Stroudsburg, we represent accident victims in back injury claims throughout Pennsylvania. To discuss your claim with an experienced personal injury lawyer in confidence, call 888-777-7098 or request a free consultation online today.