Insights Into How Our Legal System Works

Recording Your Pain For Workers' Comp Purposes

25 May 2021 by Yolanda Lane

After a work-related injury, it's easy to assume that everything will go perfectly after you file your claim. In many cases, hurt workers are provided with the benefits they deserve, but not everyone is that fortunate. One of the problems is that most workers are surprised when their claims are denied. If you have been hurt by a workplace accident and are seeking or receiving workers' comp benefits, it's important that you take the time to make a record of events for future use. Read on and learn more about what a pain journal is, how to use it, and how it can be a valuable tool for hurt workers.

What is a Pain Journal?

Most have heard about the healing and therapeutic value of journaling. As with all injury cases, keeping up with all the vital information can be a challenge. Pain journals allow victims to vent in a safe manner about the way the work-related injury has affected their lives. It's also a great way to keep up with all the conversations you have with your doctor, employer, and insurance company representatives.

Using a Pain Journal

Workers' compensation attorneys who deal with problematic work-related cases all the time often advise clients to use their pain journals at least daily and whenever they feel the need any other time. Don't worry too much about what you write. There are no right or wrong ways to use a journal. Consider how helpful it might be to write about things like:

• Questions for the doctor at an upcoming exam.
• A conversation you just had with your supervisor from work.
• How the side effects of medication are affecting you.

A Valuable Tool for Hurt Workers

Beyond the healing benefits of using a pain journal, it can also help your case in several ways. For instance, if your case moves forward and it's time for your deposition, your journal will serve as a great way to remember what has happened and when it happened. After all, being too hurt to work at your job is more than just a financial disaster, it also affects your self-esteem and how you feel about work going forward. When all is said and done, a workers' comp settlement may be offered to you and your pain and suffering is part of that computation. Finally, a pain journal gives workers one main place to keep up with all the details that follow a medical and work-related issue.

If you have been denied benefits or are having trouble with any aspect of your worker's comp case, speak to a workers' comp lawyer about your case.

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