If you are a personal injury client, please follow these instructions during the course of your case:

1. Talk to no one

Please do not talk to anyone outside of your family about your case, unless one of our lawyers or paralegals is present. You should always require identification so that you know who you are talking to. Do not talk to any insurance company other than your own (which you have an obligation to cooperate with, but should let us know of any communications). Also do not talk to railroad claim agents, company representatives or any type of agent, attorney or investigator without first notifying our offices.

2. Visit your doctors as often as they feel necessary

You should always follow your doctors’ advice and report each symptom to them. You should not minimize your ailments to your doctors. A doctor must know these things in order to provide proper treatment. If you plan to see additional doctors, please advise our offices beforehand. It’s important to remember that your doctors are in charge of your medical treatment.

3. Keep accurate and detailed records

Keep very good records of: lost time and wages; all doctor, drug and medical bills; losses directly relating to your injury; the effects of the injury on your daily life; and any insurance policies that might afford coverage or protection. All bills should be paid by check or you should obtain and keep receipts. These records will be important when the defense asks you to recall the pain and difficulties caused by the injury.

4. Do not repair objects that have been involved in the accident

From a car to a household item, do not repair any object that’s been in an accident before we examine and photograph it, or have it examined by an expert or impounded to preserve it for evidence in your case.

5. Do not give statements to any official or agent outside the courtroom

Do not appear to give statements to anyone regarding your case unless you first notify us so that we can be present. The reason is to avoid potentially prejudicing yourself in the action.

6. Provide witness contact information immediately

It’s important to provide us with witness contact information immediately, especially those who know how the injury has directly affected you as well as those who might be leaving the area permanently.

7. Let us know immediately of any evidence or potential evidence

From phone photographs to braces, keep any and all items related to your injury and contact us immediately. Any and all physical evidence should be saved because they might be necessary if your case is set for hearing.

8. Have your insurance carrier pay as many medical bills as possible

Doctors and hospitals are much more cooperative when their bills are paid, so have your own insurance carrier (or Blue Cross/Blue Shield) pay as many bills as possible. If bills remain unpaid, call us and we will try to hold off creditors until the case is resolved and you receive payment. If you do not call us until they have hired a lawyer or started collection procedures, it may be too late for us to help.

9. Keep us advised of any change in address or phone number