A Helpful Checklist for Personal Injury Litigation
If you’re preparing to go to trial to seek compensation for personal injuries you’ve received, it’s important to be organized and make sure all of your ducks are in a row. You don’t want to hurt your position because of poor preparation, missing items, or misunderstandings. The following list may be helpful when you and your attorney are preparing for your personal injury litigation.
1. Seek legal assistance. While you are entitled to represent yourself, an attorney has a good understanding of the procedure and will be looking out for your best interests.
2. Keep all notes, correspondence, and a list of names and phone calls. Every scrap of information is potentially helpful, and your attorney will want to have access to everything that may be of assistance.
3. Have all doctors’ diagnoses, prescriptions, and other information about your injury available for your attorney. He or she will need this to help prepare your case. In addition, if going to trial looks inevitable, notify your healthcare providers that they may be called on to testify.
4. Make sure all forms have been filled out and submitted. Even though your attorney will be handling the bulk of this work, it doesn’t hurt to keep tabs. If your attorney has forms for you to fill out, do it quickly and return them. In addition, make sure all forms from third parties are filled out and returned.
5. Ask questions of your attorney so you understand:
- What deadlines apply
- What will happen
- If there will be a jury or only a judge
- How long might it take
- What if a settlement offer is made
6. Trust your attorney and his or her advice and instructions.
7. Review what you plan to say and practice it. Your attorney will be able to give strong guidance on the types of questions you will be asked and how you should answer them.
8. Expect delays. Defense attorneys do this during personal injury litigation to force the plaintiff into taking a less than satisfactory settlement. Frustration works to the benefit of the defense, so unless your attorney advises otherwise, maintain your composure and prepare yourself for the next round.
9. When you go to trial:
- Stay calm
- Dress in your best
- Be truthful
Personal injury litigation can be a long and trying process. In order to be successful in your pursuit of just compensation, trusting in your attorney’s skills and listening to his or her advice is of the greatest importance. Meeting deadlines, having all paperwork filled out and filed on time, and keeping scrupulous records will all work to help your case move forward in a timely fashion.