Learn about the types of evidence that can be used to prove the need for compensation for chronic pain
Personal injury accidents have the potential to result in catastrophic injuries such as back injuries, neck injuries, head injuries, amputations, shattered bones, and more. Needless to say, these types of injuries are extremely painful. In some cases, the pain may persist long after the initial trauma from the accident has healed.
When pain lasts longer than 12 weeks, it is considered chronic pain. This type of pain can have many negative impacts on an accident victim’s life. For example, individuals with chronic pain often have trouble sleeping, which can be very bad for their overall health. Fatigue, mood changes, decreased appetite, and loss of flexibility, strength, stamina, and mobility are all common. The end result is often disability and despair.
Considering the serious consequences of chronic pain, it is extremely important for personal injury victims to secure ample compensation for chronic pain as part of their damages for pain and suffering. Unfortunately, this can be challenging, simply because pain doesn’t show up on medical tests the way broken bones and other injuries do. This means personal injury victims and their attorneys need to work extra diligently to prove the existence and severity of chronic pain before they can seek appropriate compensation.
Essential Evidence for Proving Chronic Pain
Medical Records: Personal injury victims need to discuss their pain in detail with their doctors so that it can be documented in their medical records. The doctor will guide the patient in describing the type, location, and severity of their pain. For example, they might ask if the pain is sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, burning or aching, etc. They typically also ask the patient to use a pain scale to describe the severity of the pain. All of this information will then be used to build a “pain history” for the patient.
Expert Testimony: Testimony from a medical expert can sometimes be very useful for supporting a victim’s assertion that they have chronic pain. For example, the medical expert might be able to shed light on how a specific injury might be continuing to cause pain. Or, they may be able to testify that chronic pain is common among victims of a certain type of injury.
Personal Injury Diary: By keeping a daily record of the pain they experience and how this pain impacts their daily life, a personal injury victim can create powerful evidence for their case. The diary will help communicate the depth of their suffering and support their claim for ample compensation.
Find the Right Attorney for Your Case
If you are suffering from chronic pain after an accident, you don’t want to hire just any attorney. Instead, you need an aggressive attorney with specific experience in catastrophic injuries, such as The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker. This ensures that your attorney will know exactly how to approach your case in order to give you the best possible chance of securing maximum compensation. Call us at 800-333-0000 today for a free consultation.
