Suffering from a herniated disc after an accident is overwhelming, but getting fair compensation for your injuries should not be adding to your stress. There are ways to maximize your herniated disc settlement. Gathering medical bills and records, ensuring proper diagnosis, calculating lost wages, and documenting your pain and suffering will help to ensure you receive the damages you deserve. Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys with the Kelly Law Team for a free consultation.
Gather Medical Records and Bills
Order a copy of your full medical records and bills from all treating providers. Do not forget to order copies after you have concluded your treatments and order records from all treating providers (e.g., physical therapy, chiropractors, labs, imaging centers), as well as hospitals and physicians. You can use these records and bills as proof of your injury and damages for medical expenses.
Proper Diagnosis
Documentation of your diagnosis is critical to demonstrate your injuries to an insurance adjuster in support of your request for damages. Copies of x-rays or imaging results can be used to support your diagnosis, and older pre-accident images can be used to demonstrate that your herniated disc was the result of the accident rather than degenerative causes or other preexisting conditions. Insurance companies will attempt to tie your injury to anything other than the accident, so obtain these records as soon as possible.
Calculate Lost Wages
If you have missed work due to your injury, you can calculate your lost wages through pay stubs or tax documentation. Lost wages are objective and generally easier to demonstrate than pain and suffering.
Document Your Pain and Suffering
Since pain and suffering are subjective, it is difficult to calculate pain and suffering damages aside from relying on settlements in similar cases. To bolster your case, you should regularly take notes about any pain you are experiencing and record pain levels and pain medications you take. You should also document all the ways the herniated disc is affecting your life—sleep disturbances, changes to regular activities, ability to participate in activities you used to enjoy.
Do not fall into the trap of relying on settlement calculators found online because they are often inaccurate. It is best to consult with a personal injury attorney about your case and most offer free consultations.
The personal injury attorneys with the Kelly Law Team are experienced in handling herniated disc cases and are here to help. Call us now for a free consultation at 602-283-4122.
