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PERSONAL INJURY ROADMAP TO RECOVERY
PERSONAL INJURY ROADMAP IN CHICAGO
We understand that if you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, recovery can come with unexpected challenges in many areas, from physical to financial to social and emotional. Having an outline of steps to guide you can make the process seem less overwhelming. Our personal injury lawyers developed this personal injury roadmap to describe the steps we will take to help you navigate this difficult period.
1 Immediate Response Phase
Objective: Address your immediate medical and legal needs following the injury.
Emergency Medical Care:
• ALWAYS Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
• The checklist below can help you identify which symptoms to monitor after your accident. You should always defer to information provided by your doctor after you receive immediate medical attention and return to a doctor if any of your symptoms get worse.
Here’s a list of medical centers and hospitals in Chicago:
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital
• Illinois Masonic Medical Center
• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
• Advocate Trinity Hospital
• Holy Cross Hospital
• Jackson Park Hospital
• John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
• Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, Saint Elizabeth Campus
• Rush University Medical Center
• University of Chicago Medical Center
Checklist: Monitor Your Symptoms
After suffering a personal injury, you should monitor your symptoms to determine if you are getting better or worse.
DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS
Does standing or moving quickly make you dizzy? Is it consistent or intermittent?
NAUSEA OR VOMITING
PAIN
Location: Is the pain localized or widespread?
Intensity: Is it mild, moderate, or severe?
Type: Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, or burning?
SWELLING
Where is the swelling located? Does it increase or decrease over time?
BRUISING OR DISCOLORATION
Color changes: Does the bruise get darker or spread?
LIMITED RANGE OF MOTION
Are there difficulties moving joints or limbs?
Any stiffness or resistance when moving?
NUMBNESS OR TINGLING
Are you unable to bear weight on a limb or perform normal tasks? 1
Are there any areas of the body that feel numb tingling? Does it get worse with time?
WEAKNESS
Is there muscle weakness in the affected area?
Did these symptoms start shortly after the injury or later?
FATIGUE
Does standing or moving quickly make you dizzy? Is it consistent or intermittent?
HEADACHE
Is the headache persistent or worsening?
Any sensitivity to light or sound?
FEVER
Is there an elevated body temperature?
VISION CHANGES
Are there any changes in vision (blurriness, double vision, or floaters?)
BLEEDING
Is there excessive or unusual bleeding from any open wounds?
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Did you lose consciousness during or after the injury?
DIFFICULTY BREATHING
Is there any shortness of breath or chest tightness?
Checklist: Mental/ Cognitive Symptoms
CONFUSION OR DISORIENTATION
Difficulty understanding where you are or what’s happening.
MEMORY ISSUES
Trouble recalling events before or after the injury.
DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
Struggling to focus on tasks or follow conversations.
Initial Legal Consultation:
• You can schedule a free consultation with a lawyer now and talk directly to an experienced attorney.
• A lawyer can explain your legal rights and options.
• Begin the process of gathering evidence (e.g., photos, witness statements).
We are here to help you access all the care you need immediately after an accident.
MOOD CHANGES
Feeling more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual.
SLEEP DISTURBANCES
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or oversleeping.
SPEECH ISSUES
Slurred speech or trouble finding the right words.
Crisis Support
• Speak with a crisis hotline or counselor for emotional support.
• Connect with social workers if needed for immediate financial or housing assistance.
You will receive a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will honestly explain your options.
There is more than one kind of healing, and we will help you find emotional and financial support.
2 Medical Recovery After an Injury
Objective: Ensure that you receive the necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Personalized Treatment Plan:
• Work with your healthcare providers to develop a personalized treatment plan.
• This plan may include timelines for physical therapy, surgeries, and other medical treatments.
• Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible. If you were in a car accident, you may have both auto insurance and health insurance involved in your medical bills. Having a lawyer on your side can help you get every penny you deserve to cover your medical bills.
Having a lawyer on your side can help you get every penny you deserve to cover your medical bills.
Additional Insurance Resources for People Injured in Illinois:
• Disputing a Car Accident Claim With Allstate
• Disputing a Car Accident Claim With Geico
• Disputing a Car Accident Claim With State Farm
Rehabilitation Services:
• Partner with local rehabilitation centers and physical therapists.
• Provide clients with a directory of approved rehabilitation services.
• Organize transportation to and from medical appointments if needed.
Pain Management and Mental Health:
• Introduce clients to pain management specialists.
• Offer access to mental health professionals specializing in trauma and recovery.
• Provide resources for managing chronic pain and stress.
Step Two: Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
Personalized Plan
Each accident produces a unique set of injuries and, therefore, a need for tailored care. We will help you find the right caregivers.
Rehabilitation
Some injuries will require ongoing rehabilitation, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will help organize physical therapy and other appointments.
When an accident results in chronic pain, you may need assistance with pain management and mental health. We can help locate the right providers.
3 Legal Process Phase
Objective: Guide you through the legal process and ensure you understand each step.
Case Development:
• Collect and organize all necessary documentation, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements. We will take care of the paperwork hassle while you focus on healing.
• We will regularly update you on the progress of your case.
• Offer workshops or informational sessions on what to expect during the legal process.
Negotiation and Settlement:
• We will develop a strategy for negotiating with insurance companies.
• We will explain potential outcomes and settlement options to you so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
• Advocate for maximum compensation, keeping your best interests at the forefront.
Court
Preparation
(if necessary):
• Put you at ease about the litigation process.
Step Three: Legal Recovery
Make Your Case
We will organize, negotiate, and deal with insurance companies. We will keep you updated so all you have to worry about is your health.
Negotiate
We will handle the insurance companies and honestly advise you of your potential outcomes at all times.
Court Support
While most personal injury cases don’t go to trial, we are prepared to fight all the way to court if necessary. We will make sure you are thoroughly prepared.
4 Financial Recovery Phase
Objective: Assist you in managing the financial impact of their injury.
Medical Bill Management:
• Medical bills are notoriously opaque and difficult to parse. This is intentional. We will help you understand what you are being billed for and assist you in negotiating your medical bills when necessary.
• We will help you access financial aid or other earned benefits if necessary.
Lost Wages and Benefits:
• We will help you file for workers’ compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment if you were injured at work.
• We will help connect you with a financial planner who can assist with managing your finances during recovery.
Settlement Planning:
• Advise on how to manage settlement funds to cover ongoing medical and living expenses.
• Describe structured settlement options and explain their pros and cons.
• Provide access to a tax advisor for settlement-related tax implications.
Step Four: Financial Recovery
Medical Bills
After an accident, you don’t have a choice where you receive emergency care. We will help you understand your medical bills and negotiate amounts.
Lost Wages
If you were injured at work, you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. We can help you pursue benefits and connect you with a financial planner.
Settlement Planning
While most personal injury cases don’t go to trial, we are prepared to fight all the way to court if necessary. We will make sure you are thoroughly prepared.
5 Emotional and Social Support Phase
Objective: Ensure you receive emotional and social support throughout their recovery.
Support Groups:
• Connect you with local or online support groups for injury victims.
• Host regular support group meetings at the law office or community center.
Counseling Services:
• Offer free or discounted counseling services.
• Provide resources for family counseling if the injury has impacted your household.
Community Engagement:
• Encourage you to participate in community events or volunteer opportunities to aid in emotional recovery.
• Organize community workshops on injury prevention and safety awareness.
6
Long-Term Recovery and Wellness Phase
Objective: Support clients in achieving longterm physical and emotional well-being.
Follow-Up Care:
• Since your recovery may last longer than the settlement process, we can schedule periodic check-ins to monitor your ongoing medical needs.
• We can provide a list of specialists for any long-term or chronic conditions resulting from your injury and assist in scheduling follow-up appointments and managing long-term treatment plans.
Wellness Programs:
• We are happy to introduce you to wellness programs, such as yoga, meditation, or fitness classes, designed to promote overall health and reduce stress.
• We can partner with local gyms or wellness centers to offer discounts or free trials.
• Offer nutritional guidance and resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle during recovery.
Job Retraining and Career Counseling:
• We can provide access to vocational rehabilitation services if you are unable to return to their previous job.
• Offer career counseling and job placement assistance to help clients transition into new roles.
• Organize workshops on resume building, job search strategies, and interview preparation.
Legal Support for Future Needs:
• We will appraise you on legal tools for future protection, such as living wills, power of attorney, or health care proxies.
• We can offer annual legal check-ins to review and update any necessary legal documents.
• We can offer guidance on how to handle any future legal issues that may arise as a result of the injury.
7 Empowerment and Advocacy Phase
Objective: Empower you to advocate for yourself and others who have experienced similar injuries.
Client Advocacy Training:
• Offer training sessions to help you become advocates for personal injury victims.
• Provide resources so you can share your story in a way that can inspire and educate others.
Public Speaking and Writing Opportunities:
• Help you develop public speaking or writing skills to share your experiences with the community or broader audiences.
• Facilitate opportunities for you to speak at events, write blog posts, or contribute to newsletters.
Community Leadership:
• Encourage you to take on leadership roles in local advocacy groups or community organizations focused on injury prevention and support.
• Support you in organizing awareness campaigns or fundraising events for injury prevention initiatives.
Legal
Education for the Public:
• Collaborate to create educational materials, such as pamphlets, videos, or online courses, that inform the public about personal injury rights and safety measures.
• Organize public seminars or webinars where clients can share their stories and offer advice to others.
Step Five: More Than Personal Injury Lawyers. A Support System.
Counseling
We can help connect you with local counselors, support groups, and volunteer opportunities that enhance your social and mental health.
Follow-Up
We can schedule check-ins to see how your recovery is progressing and connect you with long-term wellness programs and classes.
Legal Support
We can provide guidance on potential future legal issues as well as connect you with tools for planning and longterm care.