Personal Injury Law Blogs

Health and Safety Executive cases this week – 16.09.2013 to 22.09.2013

In this post we’re going to take a look at Health and Safety Executive cases that made the news between 16 September 2013 and 22 September 2013. This includes a pharmaceutical company fined £100,000 after an employee was severely injured by being sprayed with bromide, a Runcorn boat manufacturer who has been heavily fined after an employee’s head was crushed at work and a Walsall firm fined after a worker fell over ten feet through a perspex roof

  1. Pharmaceutical company fined £100,000 after man sprayed by toxic chemical – A North East pharmaceutical company has been fined for a serious safety breach which left a worker fighting for his life in hospital. The employee, from Tyne and Wear, was sprayed with seven litres of bromine as he removed cables from a valve connected to pipework at Aesica Pharmaceuticals on the Windmill Industrial Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland. He spent 48 hours in a life-threatening condition after inhaling the corrosive substance and also suffered severe skin burns and damage to one eye. His employer was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £7,803 costs.
  2. Runcorn boat manufacturer in court after employee crushed – A Runcorn-based boat manufacturer has been fined after an employee’s head was crushed against the top of a lorry container. Pyranha Mouldings Ltd was today (20 September) prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at its factory on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, which left the worker with a torn ear, three chipped teeth, nerve pain and several stitches. The firm was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £6,652 in costs.
  3. South Devon property maintenance man forged gas records – A man who ran a property maintenance business has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out community work for forging the details of a Gas Safe registered engineer and carrying out illegal gas safety checks. Adrian Hunt, 42, carried out the compulsory annual safety checks on rented domestic properties in Dawlish, where he lives, on behalf of landlords and managing agents despite not being on the Gas Safe Register. He was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
  4. Builder pays price for unsafe work – The owner of a Leeds building firm has appeared in court after two workers were injured, one seriously, when they fell from a mezzanine floor they were dismantling.
    One worker, then 61 and from Seacroft, broke two vertebrae and was in hospital for five days following the incident on 15 July 2012. He has been unable to continue working in the construction industry because of impaired lifting and carrying abilities. George Simms, of Ramshead Drive, Seacroft, Leeds, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £3,210 in costs.
  5. Firm fined after worker falls eleven feet through roof – A Walsall maintenance firm has been fined after an employee was seriously injured when he fell 11 feet through a fragile roof during poorly-managed roof work in Nottingham. Stephen Bassford, 58, from Nottingham, fractured his pelvis, wrenched his shoulder and sustained severe gashes to his face and left elbow in the incident on 4 July 2012. He required extensive physiotherapy and stitches and was unable to work for four months. Data Contracts Specialist Maintenance Ltd, of Green Lane, Walsall, was fined £11,000 and ordered to pay £9,732 in costs

Redmans Solicitors are employment solicitor in Richmond London and can help injured employees claim personal injury

What to do before hiring a lawyer for your denied insurance claim

Insurance companies have been notorious for their unremitting ability to deny claims to those who need them most. We often hear about denials because the provider deems the situation not related to medical reasons but many times there can just be a simple administrative error that is keeping your claim from being accepted. If the denial isn’t an administrative error, healthcare reforms now make it easier for you to appeal and find out why your provider made their decision. If your attempts to appeal are unsuccessful you might need an attorney. First, here is what you do before you decide to hire a lawyer.

Stay Positive and Check Bill Coding

The good news about appealing your insurance provider’s decision is that there is a 50/50 chance your appeal will go through. Try to establish a positive attitude to work with the insurance providers. They are providing what you need. Although they might be making it difficult, work with them not against them.

First, grab your customer service number and find out why your claim was denied

It may be a simple administrative error or they could have deemed it medically unnecessary, but finding out why your claim was denied is important for writing your appeal. You don’t want to be sailing through the fog. Take the names of all the people you talk with and ask them to put in the record that you are working to resolve the issue.

The person you will be talking to on the phone is most likely a bottom level employee trying to do his/her job as best as possible and getting answers from a computer screen. If answers are unclear, ask to speak with a supervisor. Remember to always take their names.

Next, you’ll find out if it was an administrative error or a policy problem

If it’s an administrative error there are a few things you can do:

find out what type of error from your provider (often times there is a CPT or ICD-9 code that isn’t matching up with the information on your claim)
call your doctor’s billing services and ask them to make sure your codes are correct and tell them what you found out from the insurance company
If there is not administrative issue, let the hospital know you are working to resolve the issue. This should keep them from sending your bill to a collection agency.

If Coding Wasn’t the Issue, What Now?

Here’s where you’ll probably start grinding your teeth a bit but stay calm and keep working. This means your insurance company probably said that your claim was not medically necessary. You’ll need to go over your policy and find out why. You can find your policy on your providers website.

go over your policy and find the section that covers your case
print out this information and bring it to your doctor
find out if your doctor work your appeal and claim to fit your policy

Now It’s Time to Appeal

Click here for a step by step guide to the appeals process. If after you follow this process you still cannot get clearance from your insurance provider, it’s time to hire a lawyer and get the issue resolved.

Attorneys are well acquainted with this process and these issues. If you’d like some professional advice and help, attorneys can be the fastest way to getting through to insurance companies.

Jeremy Smith is a writer on behalf of McMinn’s Law firm in Austin, Tx. McMinn’s Law Firm is a personal injury and criminal law office that focuses on getting their clients back on track to their normal routine.

172 killed every month in road traffic accidents on Ghana’s roads

Shocking statistics regarding road deaths in Ghana have come to light, highlighting the terrible loss of life that occurs on a daily basis.

In the first half of 2013 alone 1,033 people have been killed in road traffic accidents and if that wasn’t enough; there have been 6,839 accidents on the country’s roads in just the first six months of this year.

Astonishingly that equates to an average of 1,139 road accidents each and every month, claiming the life of 172 people every four weeks.

As hard to believe as these figures may be, they actually highlight a reduction in road accidents and deaths on Ghana’s roads compared to the same period last year as 1,144 persons were killed in 7,172 accidents within the first six months of 2012 and In terms of serious injuries; 6,463 persons were injured in the first half of this year as compared to 6,965 last year.

Despite such a huge amount of deaths across the country as a whole, accidents are far from evenly spread throughout the nation. According to data released by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, Accra Region recorded the highest number of accidents with 2,481 accidents and 140 deaths – that’s almost a third. Whereas the Upper East Region recorded the lowest road accident cases with 71 accidents and 32 deaths in the first half of this year.

The extremely high figures come despite major efforts by Police and government officials to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians and even the United Nations have set a target for Ghana’s roads over the next 17 years.

So why are there so many deaths on Ghana’s roads?

Much effort and investment has been put into Ghana’s roads in recent years and the surfaces and signage is noticeably better than it’s been for a long time. However, many road safety experts put the blame purely down to driver error and poor driving skills.

The Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) Police Commander, Chief Superintendent G. D Hlordzi, said 137 of those who perished between January and June 2012 were males, and 35 females

According to Chief Superintendent Hlordzi, there were as many as 972 accidents involving 1,516 private and commercial vehicles, as well as 127 motorbike crashes recorded in the region between January and June 2012.

In terms of accidents involving non-motorists; 136 pedestrians were knocked down between January and June 2013 compared to 213 last year.

“Most of the accidents on the road were human errors which could have been avoided if drivers complied with the road traffic rules and regulations,” he explained.

Though he went on to highlight the progress Ghana had made in this area, saying: “Gradually, we are getting to the United Nations target of reducing road fatalities by 50 per cent by the year 2020.”

Written by Matthew Crist in association with law firm Canter, Levin and Berg, who specialise in road traffic accidents.

Done in 60 seconds: Super cameras to be used on city streets

A new traffic camera is beginning to appear on the Britain’s streets – you have been warned!

The £17,000 night-vision devices have a battery of lenses and can catch up to 50 times more law-breaking drivers than previous models.

In a fresh crackdown on motorists, council chiefs in Manchester have installed 15 of these new devices on the city’s streets – with a promise of more to follow.

The camera’s official name is the ZenGrab LaneWatch Mk2 and they have been strategically placed on some of the busiest routes around the town in an attempt to capture drivers who may have previously evaded the law.

This new camera is an addition to the traffic light, bus lane and speed cameras which are already in use across the country.

During trials in London the camera, which is not required to display warning signs, spotted 1,076 contraventions over a four week period.

Footage is transmitted by 3G to council offices in less than a minute and then it is up to officials to decide whether to issue a £60 penalty charge.

The cameras have been used in London but Manchester is the first city outside of the capital to use them in such numbers – with many more councils showing an interest in the device.

Currently, such cameras are only used to catch motorists illegally entering bus lanes, but the very same images could soon be used by local authorities to punish drivers for making illegal U-turns or passing “No Entry” signs.

To date, speeding fines are now collected by local councils and money raised goes directly to the treasury. The proposed change to allow town halls to pocket revenue will ultimately lead to some critics claiming that the new cameras will be used to raise funds for councils rather than making the roads safer.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester council’s executive member for the environment, described the cameras as an ‘investment’. He said: “We are now able to monitor up to 15 bus lanes at the same time enabling officers to undertake other duties and ultimately saving the council money.”

But Eleanor McGrath, from the Tax Payers’ Alliance, said: “Manchester council is confirming what many drivers already think, that these cameras are more about raising money than keeping roads safe.

“Motorists, already stung for large amounts in fuel duty and road tax, cannot be blamed for feeling that they are being targeted as cash cows.”

This piece was composed by Matt Crist, a UK writer who specialises in motoring defence, motorcycles and the law, transportation and other assorted topics; to learn more about speeding offences visit motoringdefencelawyers.co.uk

Why Speed Calculation Matters in Relation to a Traffic Collision

Automobile accidents are always settled legally when the plaintiff establishes negligence on the part of the respondent. It is not necessary for the respondent to be driving the opposing vehicle, as responsibility for an automobile accident is assigned to the owner of the vehicle whose operator was judged at fault for the accident.

This past April, two pedestrians were killed after an impaired driver lost control of her Porsche in downtown Fort Lauderdale and jumped the sidewalk. Even though she was under the influence of a substance, witnesses pondered as to why she was driving so fast.

This scene has become a recurring nightmare across the country. Often victims are left searching for closure as they seek legal help to sort it all through. For instance, a Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer group or other community legal professional is suggested for individuals residing in the state of Florida.

This respondent is normally the driver, but the responsibility can also be placed on multiple parties. Many accidents such as head-on collisions are difficult to reconstruct without significant physical evidence, but some evidence can also present obvious logic. The guessing game, even for the experienced accident specialist, is a reasonable method for determining the speed of the vehicles.

Calculating Speed Limit Violations

Fault can be assigned immediately in any automobile accident if one motorist is violating driving regulations and others are all legally compliant. Multiple vehicle accidents can be adjudicated differently in terms of fault, but any illegality can be a determining material fact.

This condition is especially true when an at-fault driver is intoxicated. But, excessive speed is also an illegal act and can result in immediate fault assignment if the fact can be demonstrated reasonably in court. Speeding becomes an obvious reason for an accident when no other evidence is available.

What is a Traffic Collision?

It is not necessary for two vehicles to collide for a traffic collision to occur. Collision also happen to pedestrians, animals, and road debris. Striking any of these objects at a high rate of speed can result in a serious accident involving multiple drivers and passengers.

It is important to understand that hitting any pedestrian in any manner is always the fault of the driver unless the case facts contain mitigating circumstances that relieve the driver of negligence.

Speed limits are also a concern with pedestrian accidents because they generally occur in areas of reduced or slower speed, although that is not always the case. Many serious accidents have happened on the open highway.

If your car is a total loss after a collision and you do not what to do with, Swinton scrap yard will buy your car, check their website to get an immediate quote.

Accident Reconstruction 

All automobile accidents are investigated by the police department of jurisdiction and reconstructed by an accident specialist. The reconstruction specialist will look at all evidence available, including tire marks on the highway, and file an official written report on the accident.

The operating speeds of all vehicles will be determined as accurately as possible by the evidence gathered. This report becomes the standard by which the court makes a ruling after all respondents have filed their case arguments.

Individuals reasonably determined to be violating the speed limit will be held at least partially at fault, depending on the accident particulars. This can also include fault for wrongful death and long-term injury claims. Speeding is always contributory to serious accidents with multiple injured parties.

The traditional driving concept that speed kills may be the most valid of all cliches associated with driving. The highway can be a dangerous place, especially if driving regulations are not followed.

Driving beyond the speed limit is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, especially in heavy traffic, and the two are deadly when they are combined with other highway dangers. Excessive speed is very often the ultimate causation of many serious accidents.

A traffic collision occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction, such as a tree or utility pole. Traffic collisions may result in injury, death, vehicle damage, and property damage.

Jamica Bell is a blogger and parent to new drivers. As a concerned mother, she stresses the importance of safe driving and maintaining the legal speed limit with her young motorist. Steinger, Iscoe, and Greene, a  Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer firm, has made it a point to defend the legal rights of individuals involved in car crashes and accidents.

Have Traffic Collisions Decreased in the Greater Seattle Area?

It is no secret that driving in large metropolitan areas is both stressful and dangerous. However, there have been dramatic increases in the number of traffic cameras, safety precautions, and regulations meant to keep people safer on the roads. Despite the increase in concern, many people are still left asking themselves whether or not these measures are decreasing the number of collisions in the streets. A close look at the greater Seattle area does not seem to paint a pretty picture. In fact, recent studies have revealed drivers in Seattle to be among the worst in the nation.

Seattle Versus the Nation

According to surveys conducted by Allstate on customers in this area, the average Seattle driver will be involved in a car crash once every 7.8 years. On a national level, the average is once every 10 years. These numbers translate into making Seattle one of the most dangerous places to drive or be a pedestrian in the entire United States. In a list of the 200 safest cities in which to operate a motor vehicle, Seattle comes in at 160.

What Are They Hitting?

Collisions are not just measured in terms of cars that have hit other cars. Seattle drivers also present major threats to pedestrians. In fact, it is the elderly pedestrians specifically who have been the victims in large numbers of collisions according to recent reports released by the Seattle Department of Transportation. The media seems to focus its coverage on deaths related to cars striking bicyclists. However, the number of elderly people accounting for deaths in these traffic accidents is highly disproportionate to any other group on the roads.

Comparing the Numbers

In order to put things in perspective regarding the deadly nature of traffic in this city one only needs to look at the numbers. Over a three-year period, the city may experience an average of 62 traffic fatalities. Of these deaths, over half involve pedestrians and a very small percentage will include cyclists. If you want to put things in an even larger context, then you can compare the average death rate via homicide over a three year period to the statistics coming from traffic reports. In the same three-year period in which there are 62 traffic fatalities, there are also 72 murders. The numbers are disturbingly close.

Where To Start

Looking at the long-term trends can be revealing as well. Auto collisions involving two or more cars fell 30 percent from 2000 to 2010. However, the number of cars striking bicyclists and pedestrians showed no major fluctuation. Further analysis of the statistics reveals where the problems truly exist. Of the collisions in which two cars were involved, 2,500 of them involved parked cars, 850 included fixed objects, and 1,500 reported no specific details. The rest are 529 instances of vehicles striking pedestrians and 360 instances in which cars struck cyclists. Although the collision rates for cars striking other cars may be experiencing a downward turn, the relative safety that exists on the road seems to be making little if any progress. While more and more safety measures are being put in place, the problem seems due to the fact that people have more devices to distract them. They are simultaneously relying more on technology to keep them safe rather than simply paying greater attention to their surroundings.

Byline
Robin Reynolds writes on a variety of legal topics such as Criminal Defense, DUIs, Traffic Collisions, Road Traffic Law and others as well.

Extended Pain: How to Increase the Dollar Amount of My Claim

Settling a personal injury claim for a large dollar amount can be dependent on several factors such as the type of injury that you’ve sustained, and the treatment that is required for your specific injury. However, an insurance company will also look at your medical records and any pertinent documentation before deciding the dollar amount awarded to your claim. The following are tips to increase your personal injury settlement.

Document Everything

It’s easy to ascertain that the more critical injury that you may be suffering from, the longer it will take for you to recover. If your injuries last longer, so will your pain and suffering, and you need to recover proper compensation for the trauma that you are experiencing. The best way to capture this is by recording your physician visits and documenting any important notes in your medical records. A doctors visit showcases the extent of your injuries and how much discomfort and agony that you may be going through. With thoroughly documented medical records, you can make a more solid case and increase your chances of gaining a larger settlement in the end.

Residual Injuries Diagnosis

An injury that lasts for a prolonged period of time is referred to as a residual injury. Forms of this type of injury can include broken bones, brain damage, scarring, loss of limbs and torn ligaments. The full impact may not be visible at present, but it can be far reaching into the future. A head injury where a concussion occurred can cause problems months or years after the accident took place. Proper notation from your physician is crucial to your claim, and they need to document your case with possible long-term side effects.

Take Time for Physical Therapy

Medication and physical therapy can further aid your claim because it lets the insurance carrier know that you’re experiencing pain and discomfort due to your accident. It’s necessary to document the type of medication and strength to determine the level of pain and suffering. You can also make special note of the times and frequency of your physical therapy appointments. A physical therapist can add to your case by recording the level of difficulty that you have experienced in your daily movements.
Keep a Personal Diary

The physical and mental repercussions should also be noted in any type of injury. An injury to a major bread winner in the family can have severe mental anguish, especially if the bills and financial distress are mounting. This can take a toll on the family and can cause emotional distress to your loved ones. Having difficulty getting around can also cause physical problems with the easiest of tasks such as getting dressed, running errands and getting around the home. Making note of the many problematic areas in a personal diary can also strengthen your claim.

Settling your personal injury claim for a higher amount of money will be dependent on your proof. With the proper medical record documentation and thorough note taking, you’ll better your chances of receiving a greater level of compensation through your injury case.

Blogger Anthony Joseph presents these tips to emphasize the importance of taking an active part in the process of documentation. According to this auto accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL we sometimes think that we can simply work through the pain, only to learn years later we should have been seeking consistent medical attention for our injury. In many cases, the extensiveness of the injury is not thoroughly evaluated, so at minimum be sure to take advantage of a free consultation to make sure you haven’t left out vital steps.

Scaffolding Accidents On The Job: Who Is At Fault?

Whenever there is a scaffolding collapse on a work site there can be serious injuries and issues. A worker can be seriously hurt from a fall or from equipment falling upon them. Scaffolding failure is a frightful thing on a job site and for the victim it can lead to a lengthy headache of missed work and medical bills. It is important whenever a scaffolding incident occurs in the workplace that the proper actions are taken.

Who is liable in a scaffolding accident?

Depending on the nature of the scaffolding accident there are different parties who hold liability. It should be noted first off whether or not a scaffolding erection company was used to set up the structure. If this is the case then they will hold some of the liability seeing as they were in charge of properly constructing the scaffolding levels and making sure they were suitable for use. Most common issues are loose base screws that allow the scaffolding to lose it’s balance at the bottom. Proper scaffolding erection is regulated by OSHA. Liability may also fall on the actual contractor in charge of the work site. They are the overseer and make decisions on the procedures and working times and conditions. In a sense they are responsible for all contracted workers and employee’s safety.

What do I do in the event of an accident?

It is important to seek a scaffolding investigation as feasibly close to the accident time as possible. This is to more accurately determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault. Sometimes it can even be a failure in a cross beam or supporting joint that makes the actual manufacturer of the scaffolding hardware at fault for distributing faulty products. It can also be the case that the placement and conditions surrounding the scaffolding structure were instructed by the foreman of the site or even the contractor, which in turn makes them responsible. Many personal injury lawyers have experience, either first hand or with a close account, with investigating the scene of a scaffolding accident and assessing the damages, the injuries sustained, and what exactly occurred. It will then be more clear on how to file a claim and work with a lawyer to assure the most just process in handling a case.

Proving the accident and it’s liability?

Proving an accident can obviously be done through an examination of the accident site by someone familiar with scaffolding incidents. However when an investigation doesn’t provide substantial evidence this does not mean that there was not negligence on the job site. Eye witness accounts and circumstantial evidence are common ways that a personal injury lawyer can build a case around a company or contractor. It is important to have an account of the accident and whether it was a toppling situation or a buckling scenario.

Scaffolding accidents on the job are very serious issues that result in injuries and prolonged time out of work if a worker is hurt. Steps to assure a proper case and just compensation for such a wrongful scenario can be taken by being familiar with scaffolding accident components as well as being in close communication with a law firm that handles personal injury suits.

Writing on behalf of central Texas personal injury lawyers Colley & Colley L.L.P., with over 25+ years of experience, I can assure you that scaffolding accidents should not be ignored and an injury on the job site calls for investigation for compensation.

All About Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Systems

A lane departure warning system acts as a safety feature that is helpful to drivers. When a driver is about to leave their lane, the LDW system acts by sounding a warning or by creating a vibration that alerts the driver to stay within the lane. Crashes caused by drivers who depart from their designated lanes are often serious. Some crashes are fatal, especially when a car hits a stationary object or rolls over.

There are many things that can cause drivers to veer from their lane.

– Inattentive driving due to distractions like reaching for something, looking away from the road briefly, answering a cell phone, and text messaging.

– Drowsiness from not getting enough sleep, staying out late, or driving while fatigued. This is a common problem for commercial truck drivers and for others who spend a lot of time driving.

– Inexperienced drivers can have difficulty judging where lane marking lines are and how close they are to them. Better judgment comes with experience.

Two Types of Lane Departure Warning Systems

There are two types of lane safety systems. One gives drivers a warning using audible or sensory signals to let them know they are veering from their lane. This is a lane departure warning (LDW) system. The other type physically performs an action, helping the driver to get back into the correct lane position. This is done by automated braking and steering adjustments when it’s determined that a driver has begun to swerve or go out of the lane. This system is often known as Lane Keeping Assist or Lane Keeping System (LKS).

The lane departure warning system can sound an alarm, flash lights on the dashboard, or a start a vibration either in the steering wheel or in the seat, depending on the model of car or the type of detection system that is installed. Systems often work with the help of cameras mounted on the rear view mirror that signal the computer in the car where lane markings are, and when a deflection is made from the lane.

Drawbacks to Lane Departure Warning Systems

There are some drawbacks to these systems. Road conditions, weather conditions, and driver error sometimes cannot be overcome by a LDW system. Things that lessen the system’s effectiveness include:

– Lanes that are not marked well: lightly painted lines or non-existent lines can make a lane departure warning system less useful.

– Weather conditions like snow, ice, mud, rain, or standing water in the roadway all take away from the effectiveness of the system.

– Roads with lower speed limits normally will cause a lane departure warning system to be non-operational.

– Driving through construction areas. Driving where lanes shift, lanes change, and lane markings are either temporary or non-existent will hinder LDW systems. This is when drivers must be sure they are alert and paying attention to lane shifts in the roadway and to lower speeds through construction areas.

– Driver error, like driving for long periods with a turn signal on, can deactivate the lane departure system.

Safe Driving is Always Up to the Driver

No matter what alarm systems or helpful safety systems are found in a vehicle, it’s ultimately up to the driver to operate the car safely. No safety system is a substitute for an attentive, alert, and safe driver.

Byline

Myron Pratt is a freelance writer based in Cleveland, Ohio. Fascinated readers looking to learn more about the shipping and transportation industries should check out the resources from Stevens Transport.

Extended Pain: How to Increase the Dollar Amount of My Claim

043_auto_fail.jpgSettling a personal injury claim for a large dollar amount can be dependent on several factors such as the type of injury that you’ve sustained, and the treatment that is required for your specific injury. However, an insurance company will also look at your medical records and any pertinent documentation before deciding the dollar amount awarded to your claim. The following are tips to increase your personal injury settlement.

Document Everything
It’s easy to ascertain that the more critical injury that you may be suffering from, the longer it will take for you to recover. If your injuries last longer, so will your pain and suffering, and you need to recover proper compensation for the trauma that you are experiencing. The best way to capture this is by recording your physician visits and documenting any important notes in your medical records. A doctors visit showcases the extent of your injuries and how much discomfort and agony that you may be going through. With thoroughly documented medical records, you can make a more solid case and increase your chances of gaining a larger settlement in the end.

Residual Injuries Diagnosis
An injury that lasts for a prolonged period of time is referred to as a residual injury. Forms of this type of injury can include broken bones, brain damage, scarring, loss of limbs and torn ligaments. The full impact may not be visible at present, but it can be far reaching into the future. A head injury where a concussion occurred can cause problems months or years after the accident took place. Proper notation from your physician is crucial to your claim, and they need to document your case with possible long-term side effects.

Take Time for Physical Therapy
Medication and physical therapy can further aid your claim because it lets the insurance carrier know that you’re experiencing pain and discomfort due to your accident. It’s necessary to document the type of medication and strength to determine the level of pain and suffering. You can also make special note of the times and frequency of your physical therapy appointments. A physical therapist can add to your case by recording the level of difficulty that you have experienced in your daily movements.
Keep a Personal Diary
The physical and mental repercussions should also be noted in any type of injury. An injury to a major bread winner in the family can have severe mental anguish, especially if the bills and financial distress are mounting. This can take a toll on the family and can cause emotional distress to your loved ones. Having difficulty getting around can also cause physical problems with the easiest of tasks such as getting dressed, running errands and getting around the home. Making note of the many problematic areas in a personal diary can also strengthen your claim.

Settling your personal injury claim for a higher amount of money will be dependent on your proof. With the proper medical record documentation and thorough note taking, you’ll better your chances of receiving a greater level of compensation through your injury case.

Blogger Anthony Joseph presents these tips to emphasize the importance of taking an active part in the process of documentation. According to this auto accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL we sometimes think that we can simply work through the pain, only to learn years later we should have been seeking consistent medical attention for our injury. In many cases, the extensiveness of the injury is not thoroughly evaluated, so at minimum be sure to take advantage of a free consultation to make sure you haven’t left out vital steps.