Your Case

Do Not Discuss Your Case With Strangers

You can tell people that you were hurt in an accident, but do not discuss legal matters with strangers. Don’t even talk to your insurance company or to any lawyers hired by your own insurance company without notifying us so that we may be present if we desire. We will generally want these statements taken in our office. Insurance companies often hire private investigators to conduct video surveillance on the injured parties.

Your Doctor

Your should return to each of your doctors as often as necessary and should always tell them about all your complaints. If you see any additional doctors, be sure we are advised immediately of their names and addresses.

Records Of Complaints

Please keep a daily or weekly record of your complaints and progress. This can be very helpful when, a year later, you will be called upon to relate your pain and difficulties.

Wages And Earnings Lost

Please keep an accurate record of all days lost from work because of your injuries.

Medical Bills

Obtain and keep duplicate copies of all medical, hospital and drug bills. You should periodically send these bills to us for our files. Also keep records of any other expenses you may have in connection with your accident, such as the hiring of extra help. All your bills should be paid by cheque or you should obtain and keep receipts. You should keep a list of all your medical bills and the costs incurred in going to your doctor.

Car Repair

Do not have your automobile repaired until you are sure that we have obtained pictures of it. After pictures are taken by this office have your collision insurance carrier repair your car.

Traffic Offences

If you are arrested in connection with this accident, call one of the lawyers in the office immediately and we will see that someone represents or advises you. In the event of a coroner’s inquest or other type of hearing be sure to notify this office so that we will be able to represent you in connection with this inquest.

Witnesses

Furnish to us immediately the correct names, address, and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses you may learn of.

Save Your Cast

If your injury requires a cast, brace, traction, or other appliance save it. When the case is set for hearing you should bring these items with you.

Photographs

Send us the negatives and prints of any photographs pertaining to your case which you or any of your friends have taken. If you are required to be in the hospital and are receiving any type of treatment like traction or physical therapy, please notify our office.

Hospital And Doctor Bills

Have your own auto insurance carrier pay as many hospital and doctor bills under the medical payment provisions of you policy as possible. You should also have your hospitalization insurance, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, pay as much on your bills as possible. You should not expect doctors and hospitals to pay until your case is tried or settled to receive payment. You should, therefore, pay any balance as soon as possible.

Questions

We will probably not contact you until we have something definite to report. We will be contacting you for depositions, answers to interrogatories, and when your case goes to trial, which may be in excess of one year from the time that suit is filed. If you have any specific questions in regard to these instructions or any other matters in regard to your case, please feel free to call or write us.

Your Address

Be sure to keep us advised of any change in your address or telephone number.

Appointments

Please do not come in expecting to see one of the attorneys without an appointment.

“My Day” Diary

We would like you to start keeping a diary at once. This record will be very valuable throughout your case. It will be kept strictly confidential.

How These Injuries Have Affected Your Life

We call it “My Day” because we want you to take a normal day, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, and explain in detail how this occurrence has changed your life. For example, the way you put on your clothes, the way you get in and out of bed, the way you take a bath, etc. By your life, we mean your work, your playtime, your hobbies, your life as a husband or as a wife, etc. This includes your disposition, your personality, your nervousness, etc. We need to know how your injury has affected the marital relations between you and your spouse.

Your Pain And Suffering

We want a description of your pain, both at the scene of the occurrence and at all times thereafter. We want to know whether or not it is a shooting pain, throbbing pain, etc. We want your words and not anyone else’s.

Start At Your Head When Recording Your Complaints And Injuries

A good rule to follow in order to remember all of your problems is to start at your head and, in detail, go down through all parts of your body, moving from you head, neck, shoulders, etc. Explain in detail any problem that you have with each part of the body. Also, give details with regard to the medications you ar taking and what they are for, if you know.

Don’t Use The Words “I Can’t”

Please do not use the words “I can’t” because “can’t” means physical impossibility. For example, you can’t use your left hand, if you haven’t got one. Don’t say “I can’t do it.” “I don’t do it,” “I never do it.” We would prefer you would use such words as “I am not able to do it as well” or some other words meaning the same thing. You should always work towards the idea that ” I am trying and I will continue to try to do more things.” Everyone will admire you more if you try. In regard to your activities such as your housework, your yardwork, your work at the office or factory, you should detail what things you are not able to do as well as before.

‘My Day’ Witnesses

We would like for you to contact your friends, neighbors, associates at work, etc., and on a separate sheet of paper for each witness give us his/her name, address and telephone number. Have each describe, or you describe in detail, on a separate sheet of paper what he or she knows about how this injury changed your life. For example, your neighbor might tell about how you are not able to work as much around the house, or your friends could tell how you don’t bowl now, or you don’t engage in some other type of hobby. It is better if these witnesses are not your relatives. It is all right if they are your friends, because they would be more likely to have observed you. It is impossible to be too detailed.

Loss Of Wages Or Loss Of Potential Income

One of the major aspects of your case may be loss of income or potential income. We will need a copy of your union contract showing wage rates, copies of your T4 forms and your income tax returns for at least the last five years. Please obtain from your employer the exact days you missed from work because of this accident and the amount of money you would have made if you would have been working these days. If this injury has prevent you from being advanced in your employment or has prevented you from obtaining employment, please give us the names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses who can prove this for you. We would also like to know in detail what services you have been prevented from performing around the house, such as supervision of the children.

Questions Or Help In Answering Your “My Day”

If you need any help in keeping your records, please call this office for an appointment with your injury lawyer Vancouver.

Use Your Imagination

You know your own life better than we do. Use your imagination and go into all aspects of your life. Explain to us, in the greatest detail possible, how this occurrence has affected your life.