Provide Your Doctor With A Thorough Medical History
We would like to explain the extreme importance to your case of providing your doctor with not only the details of your on the job injury for which you are seeking medical treatment, but a thorough history of prior injuries.
Many injured workers, whether through simple oversight or because they believe it will hurt their claim against the railroad, fail to provide their treating doctor with a complete history of prior injuries or illnesses.
When a claim is filed, the railroad is entitled to know about any injuries or illnesses you have had in the past, even though much of this information may not be relevant. If your case proceeds to trial, failure to tell your doctor of these things may permit the railroad to suggest to a jury that you have been less than honest with your doctor. The railroad may then suggest that you are being less than honest with the jury about your present injuries and the railroad's responsibility for those injuries.
Therefore, we suggest that unless you are being treated on an emergency basis, you sit down with your spouse or other family member and make up a list of prior illnesses and injuries for which you have sought treatment. Take that list with you to your doctor appointment to help you accurately fill out the doctor's questionnaire. Put very simply, you cannot be too honest or too thorough in telling your doctor about prior illnesses and injuries.
The other frequently encountered problem that arises in connection with railroad injury cases is the failure to explain thoroughly to your doctor how you were injured while working your job. This often results in the doctor providing an account of your injury that is vague, or even worse, incorrect.
Every occupation has its own particular "slang" or "lingo" to describe the job responsibilities and duties of that occupation. However, using terms that you or your co-workers understand does not mean that your doctor will understand how you were injured. We suggest that if possible, before you see your doctor, you attempt to explain how you were hurt to your spouse or children in non-technical terms. If they understand how you were hurt, chances are, your doctor will too. He or she can then provide an accurate history in the medical records.
Taking the time to completely explain to your doctor what you were doing at the time of your injury, why you were doing that task in the manner you were doing it and any unusual problems or defects you encountered while doing your job will greatly enhance the successful resolution of your claim against the railroad.
In summary, if you are injured on the job, it is critical that you:
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Give the doctor your complete medical history.
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Explain in detail how your injury happened.
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Explain in detail what you were doing when you were injured.
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List any defects or unusual problems while doing your job.
Contact us anytime to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced attorney in the area in which you require assistance.
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