Recovering from a serious injury can be a long, painful, and emotionally exhausting journey. Over time, one day can feel like it fades into the next with no end in sight. However, your chances of recovering fair compensation may hinge on your ability to recall specific moments of this arduous journey. This is why a personal injury journal is an invaluable asset.
A personal injury journal is your space to keep detailed entries about your recovery, writing down information about your limitations, pain levels, medication side effects, and doctor’s appointments. In this article, we share a few tips for what you should include in your journal.
Description of the Day of the Accident
Taking time immediately after the accident to describe what happened can help preserve these memories for later reference. As such, this firsthand account will usually be the first entry in your journal. When you’re writing about the day you suffered your injuries, you should avoid speculation and stick to the facts.
Aim to answer questions such as:
- What were you doing in the moments before the accident?
- What did the at-fault party/parties say immediately in the aftermath?
- Did you receive medical attention at the scene? Which hospital were you taken to?
- Did police officers arrive to investigate the accident?
- Were there any eyewitnesses? Did you write down their names and contact details?
- Did you notice any surveillance cameras near the accident scene?
Pain Levels
Even minor injuries can lead to considerable pain and suffering throughout your recovery. However, after weeks of agony, it can feel like one day bleeds into the next, making it easy for you to forget every moment you experienced these sensations.
Thankfully, logging daily entries in your journal will help you keep tabs on your pain levels. Whenever you experience pain, you should note the affected body part, severity, duration, and describe what you are feeling. These descriptions are important as they can help provide context for your medical records giving others insight into how your injuries have affected your psychological well-being, an important step if you are pursuing compensation for pain and suffering.
Limitations
A serious injury can limit you in a number of ways, such as preventing you from working, tackling household chores, or taking care of your children. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for any associated losses, including lost income and the cost of hiring someone to oversee tasks you are no longer able to do by yourself.
Noting down these limitations in your journal can help you build a case for such damages. Whenever your injuries prevent you from performing a certain task, you should log this moment in your journal.
Discuss Your Case with an Ohio Personal Injury Attorney
Whether you were bitten by a dog, injured in a wreck, or hurt on the job, a personal injury journal could play a crucial role in your case. At Obral, Silk & Pal, LLC, we can help guide you through proceedings, making sure you stay on track from the first day until the final verdict.
We’ve received an “Excellent” rating from Avvo, an online resource that compiles reviews and disciplinary records for attorneys in every state. To schedule a free consultation with a Cleveland personal injury lawyer, reach out to us at 216 529 – 9377 or by sending us a message using our contact form HERE.