When you are injured on the job as a railroad employee, understanding the steps you must take to help protect yourself and your right to compensation is critical. One thing that many underestimate the importance of is recording the damages they have endured. Though it may not seem necessary, taking the time to properly document the injuries you have suffered can help strengthen your FELA claim, thus increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome. You’ll also discover why working with a FELA lawyer is critical to fighting for the compensation you deserve when you are injured due to the negligent actions of your employer.
Why Is It Important to Document Injuries?
When you sustain injuries and wish to pursue compensation for the damages you’ve endured, documenting them is critical to help strengthen your claim against the negligent party. Capturing the severity of the injuries you have sustained is critical to showing not only the pain and suffering you have endured but also the losses you’ve suffered. Failure to document your injuries and suffering can result in the railroad claiming your injuries are not as bad as you say they are, thus reducing the value of your claim.
Not only can documenting your injuries help illustrate the severity of the harm you’ve suffered, but it can also help create a clear timeline. In addition to other evidence, your documentation and medical records can help show how much you’ve suffered and the financial damages you’ve incurred.
It’s also important to understand that capturing the injuries you’ve endured is not only important for your FELA claim but also helps you ensure you provide your doctor with the most accurate information and descriptions of the injuries you’ve sustained. This helps ensure you receive the correct care and treatment for the injuries you’ve suffered.
What Should I Do To Capture the Severity of the Damages?
If you have sustained an injury due to the negligent actions of your employer and you wish to file a Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) claim, it’s important to begin documenting your injuries immediately. This includes taking photographs of all visible injuries. Photographic evidence can help showcase the severity of the injuries. You’ll want to take photos of the injuries as they progress so you can show the full extent of the harm you’ve suffered.
You should also keep any paperwork and copies of bills that you receive from doctors, and maintain a journal regarding the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. You’ll want to write down your symptoms, pain levels, care received, and the suffering you’ve endured. Unfortunately, proving emotional damages can be challenging, so keeping a detailed journal can help establish them.
As you can see, taking steps to document the injuries you’ve suffered from the moment they occur is critical to fighting for the compensation you deserve. At Doran & Murphy, our team of FELA attorneys understands how complicated these matters can be, which is why we are dedicated to fighting for you through these issues. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can help guide you during these challenging times.
