Suffering a sudden illness or injury can be painful and traumatic. Depending on the severity, you may be out of work for a significant amount of time, which means there will be various bills that are going to quickly be very difficult to pay. Fortunately, you can take the following steps to get the money that you need to help with expenses after suffering an injury or illness.
Preserve the Evidence
You have to be able to prove that you have actually suffered what you’re claiming. One of the best things that you can do in order to preserve the evidence you’ll need is to save everything that comes your way. Your doctor will of course document your treatments, but you should try to get copies of everything for yourself. You should also keep a copy of any form of paperwork you’re given or required to sign. Specifically, if there was an accident, you should obtain copies of accident and police reports. Sometimes you may even have to go so far as to preserve messages you send or receive when it comes to your claim.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment
It is a good idea to follow any treatment plan that is recommended by your doctor. This will ensure that you are able to recover properly and show your compliance to investigators. Getting compensated won’t be as difficult if you follow the treatment that your doctor recommends.
Consult With An Attorney
It is possible for you to file social security disability claims without an attorney. However, it will be a lot easier for you to get compensated if you have an attorney on your side. Your attorney will ensure that you file the claim properly, as many claims end up denied because they were not filed properly. Your attorney can also represent you in court far better than you could represent yourself. Furthermore, if you have to file an appeal, then your attorney can help with that.
Stay Off Social Media
Social media is one of the biggest things that can hurt your case. It ties back to earlier where we discussed preserving evidence, as social media can be a field day for anyone looking to gather evidence against you. For example, if you post pictures on social media that show you out having fun, then the other side can argue that you are not really hurt. The comments that you make on social media can also ruin your claim. Keep in mind that even if you have a private account, it is still possible for other people to see it. For example, one of your friends can take a screenshot and send it to other people.
That is why it is best for you to stay off social media completely until your case is over. You won’t have to worry about accidentally posting something that can be used against you.
Dealing with an accident or illness can be extremely stressful, especially if you have to fight to be properly taken care of by insurance or other parties. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to make filing any claims for compensation as likely to be accepted as possible. This means gathering and preserving as much evidence as you can find, while at the same time not providing any evidence that can be used against you. You also need to show your compliance with doctors and investigators, cooperating with them and an attorney whose job it is to help you. Following these steps should help in getting you the compensation you deserve.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
