Do Not Talk to Anyone About Any Aspect of Your Case

1. Talk only to your attorney and his/her staff.
2. If you receive any letters or papers regarding any aspect of your case, send them to your attorney.
3. Do not give any statements or sign any papers.
4. Do not contact the other party or their insurance company.

Avoid accepting legal advice from friends and relatives. While these persons may mean well, their lack of training and experience in these matters may result in confusion or misunderstandings. Consult only with your attorney about the legal aspects of your case.

Cooperate Fully With Your Doctor

1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and follow all of his/her instructions.
2. Tell the doctor all your complaints - do not minimize your ailments, but do not exaggerate them either. Remember that your doctor is probably writing down everything you say.
3. Give the doctor specific examples of what you cannot do now that you could do before your accident.
4. Advise your attorney of all the doctors you see, and notify your attorney in advance if you change doctors, or if you plan to see a new doctor.
5. Furnish your attorney with a list of every place you have gone for medical treatment of any kind since your accident, the date you went there, and what type of medical treatment you received, regardless of whether it is related to your accident. Keep this list to date.
6. Furnish your attorney with a copy of all medical reports, bills, and related materials.
7. If you do not have insurance and you are unable to pay your doctors bills, contact the doctors office, let them know that you are concerned, and work out minimum payment schedules with them no matter how small the payment may have to be. You cannot expect them to cooperate with your attorney if you do not cooperate with them.
8. Please remember that our ability to obtain full compensation for your injuries will depend heavily upon the cooperation of your doctor and the medical history and prognosis which he/she is willing to furnish to your attorney. Therefore, it is important that you keep your doctors appointments and that you follow his/her advice completely. If, for any reason, you are unable to keep your doctors appointments or to follow the medical program which he has recommended for you, please let your attorney know immediately.
9. Notify your attorney when there is a significant change in your medical condition or if your doctor has scheduled you for tests, hospitalization, referred you to another doctor, or released you.

Document Your Lost Earnings

If you have lost wages because of your accident:

1. Furnish your attorney with copies of your W-2 forms and income tax returns for the five (5) calendar years before your accident and all years since your accident.
2. Obtain from your employer a letter stating the exact days you missed work because of this accident, how much you are paid, and the amount of money you would have made if you had been working during those days.
3. Let your attorney know if this injury has prevented you from advancing in your employment or if it has prevented you from obtaining employment, and furnish your attorney with any supporting documentation.
4. Give your attorney a copy of any statements from your doctor restricting you from work, limiting your work, or releasing you to go back to work.
5. Return to work if you are able.

Save All Physical Evidence

1. Keep and store everything pertaining to your accident such as the product that injured you.
2. If your injury requires a cast, brace, traction, or other appliance, save it for evidence in trial.
3. If your injuries are visible, please take pictures of them.
4. Send your attorney any photographs you have relating to this accident - both property damage and bodily injury photographs.
5. Furnish your attorney with a copy of any accident report which you may have received or turned in to anyone.

Receive All Your Insurance Benefits

1. Have your own medical or hospitalization insurance carrier pay as much hospital and doctor bills as possible. (There is a possibility that this insurance carrier will require reimbursement out of your portion of the settlement for those medical bills that they have paid.)
2. Furnish your attorney with a copy of your medical or hospitalization insurance policy.
3. If you were injured in an automobile accident, provide your attorney with a copy of the automobile insurance policy for the car in which you were riding, the personal automobile insurance policy of the driver of the car in which you were riding, and your personal automobile insurance policy.
4. Notify your automobile insurance agent immediately if your injury resulted from a vehicular accident. If you have personal injury protection coverage and/or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, request that the appropriate claim forms be sent to you. Do not give any statements or sign any papers.

Keep Your Attorney Informed of Your Status

1. Notify your attorney immediately of any change in your address, telephone number, marital status, employment situation, or medical condition.

Make Use of Available Government Resources

1. If you are indigent and you cannot afford medical care, contact the office of the Indigent Care Program which is usually located in the major hospital of your county or in the county courthouse.
2. If you do not qualify for the Indigent Health Care Program and you cannot afford medical care, contact your local Department of Human Services office for benefits and other financial assistance. (Whenever a governmental agency pays for part or all of your medical care, it is possible that they may require you to reimburse them out of your portion of any settlement. This is particularly true if you receive financial assistance for medical care through Medicaid, Medicare, or the Veterans Administration.
3. If you are unable to work for more than twelve (12) continuous months and you need financial support, contact the Social Security Administration.
4. If you need job training or rehabilitation services in order to be able to work, contact the Rehabilitation Commission.
5. If you are able to work but you do not have a job, contact the Employment Commission. (Please note that they will require you to sign a form which will state you are ready, willing, and able to work and that form will be admissible as evidence in your trial. Therefore, you should note on this form any physical limitation or restrictions which your doctor has placed on you for purposes of employment.)
6. If you need emotional or psychological counseling, contact the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

Keep Track of the Problems Your Injuries Cause

1. Keep a diary of day to day problems you experience. You will later be asked to give examples of what you cannot do now that you used to be able to do. Keep a record of all mileage to the doctor and out of pocket expenses related to your injuries.