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SEE YOUR LAWYER
If you are seriously injured, you should seriously consider seeing a
lawyer who is experienced in personal injury law so that your rights
will not be adversely affected. We commonly provide the following
initial information to our clients at the initial consultation who seek
our advice:
Damages
If you lose work, sustain injuries or have other losses, you
may be entitled to damages from the other party to the accident. You
may also be entitled to reimbursement under your own policy of
insurance if certain conditions have been met.
A monetary damage award in civil court is the only way that
the law can put the wrongfully injured party, as closely as possible,
into a position equal to the position before he or she was injured. You
may be entitled to recover money for the following:
- Nature, extent and duration of injuries.
- Pain and suffering from injuries.
- Disability, both temporary and permanent.
- Reasonable expenses resulting from injury, including medical and hospital expenses.
- Loss of earnings or income.
- Value of damage to property.
Client Information Memorandum
- Questions And Answers - We would appreciate your assistance
by telephoning our office every four weeks and speaking to my paralegal
in regard to your case. Our office personnel are well versed in the
Personal Injury area and should be able to answer most questions you
may have in regard to your individual problems.
- Talk To No One - Do not talk to anyone about your
accident except one of the lawyers or paralegal in our office. You
should always require identification so that you are sure with whom you
are talking. Do not talk to any insurance company, including your own;
railroad claim agent; company representative; or any type of agent,
attorney or investigator without first notifying our office so we can
have these statements taken with one of our lawyers or paralegal
present.
- Your Doctor - You should return to each of your doctors
as often as necessary and should always tell them about all your
complaints. You should not minimize your ailments to your doctors. A
doctor must know these things in order to properly treat you. If you
plan to see any additional doctors, please advise us before you see
them and tell us their names and addresses.
- Records - Please keep accurate and detailed records of the following:
- Lost time and wages;
- Hospital, doctor, drug and other medical bills;
- Other losses directly resulting from your injury;
All you bills should be paid by check or you should obtain and
keep receipts. Keeping such records may be very helpful when, a year
later, you will be asked by the defense to recall your pain,
difficulties and your expenses.
- Repairs - Do not have your automobile, boat,
airplane, farm implement, piece of machinery, household item or other
object that was involved in your accident repaired until we have had
time to examine it; have it photographed; have it examined by an expert
or impounded as we feel necessary in order to preserve the evidence as
needed for your case. If your case involves a product or instrument not
in your control, please try to see that it is not repaired or disposed
of until we have photographed it and had it examined by an expert, if
necessary.
- Offenses, Fines or Disciplinary Action - Do not appear
or give statement before: a traffic court; a coroner's inquest; a
Federal Aviation Agency investigation board; a railroad panel or other
proceeding without first notifying this office in order that we might
have one of our attorneys from this office with you and representing
you at such hearing. The reason for this is to be sure that you do not
prejudice yourself in the action in which we represent you.
- Witnesses - Immediately furnish us with the correct
names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses of whom
you may learn. If someone will be leaving the area permanently please
call us so we can take their deposition if necessary.
- Evidence - Give to your investigator the negatives and
prints of any photographs pertaining to your case which you or any of
your friend have taken. If you are required to be in the hospital and
are receiving any type of treatment such as traction or physical
therapy, please notify our office so that we can have you photographed
by our investigator or one of the members of your family. If your
injury requires a cast, a brace, traction, or other appliance, save the
appliance for evidence at trial. You should notify us that you are
keeping these items with you. Please contact your own insurance carrier
or company for a copy of all their photographs and investigative
materials on your case. Please talk to us about any evidence that you
have or know the whereabouts of that may help us to prove your case.
Save an physical evidence and discuss it with your lawyers and
paralegal.
- Your Address - Be sure to keep us advised of any change in your address or telephone number.
© 2007 Joseph M. Lucas & Associates, L.L.C. |
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