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One of the most difficult things to prove in the course of a personal injury claim is chronic pain. And yet, it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million people throughout the country suffer. Unlike other more physical injuries, chronic pain is difficult to prove and quantify in the course of a personal injury claim.
What is Chronic Pain?
Doctors define chronic pain as one that lingers beyond the time associated with the normal healing of an injury. The pain can be localized or experienced throughout the entire body. As different people experience and are sensitive to pain differently, it can exhibit as intermittent and mild or continuous and unbearable.
Chronic Pain Is Hard to Quantify
Many physical injuries have quantifiable ways of healing and recovering a normal life. But this is not often the case with victims of chronic pain. This can persist well after the physical injuries are gone. And diagnoses can be difficult as there is little in the way of diagnostic tools to confirm or measure it. Instead, the medical provider must rely on the sufferer’s complaints which can be highly subjective.
Compelling Evidence is Required
Although chronic pain can be life-altering for many accident victims, it can be difficult to prove when it comes to seeking compensation. It requires evidence in order to provide some proof that it actually exists without diagnostic confirmation. As North Bay personal injury lawyers, we do the following to this end.
Medical Records
Victims of chronic pain must keep very detailed records with regard to any medical interventions. These records must include any complaints, treatments, or medication that has been prescribed for the pain.
Keep a Pain Diary
Because there is little in the way of diagnostic testing for chronic pain, it is up to the victim to keep detailed records of the severity of the pain that is experienced during certain times of the day and how much it has limited any activities. This is usually done on a 1 to 10 scale with 1 being little pain and 10 being the most severe. The pain diary should also include which medications were taken to alleviate each particular instance.
Testimony of Witnesses
In order to prove chronic pain, we often must rely on the testimony of witnesses. Not only are these personal witnesses such as friends and co-workers who have seen how the pain has affected your life but also the testimony of expert medical witnesses who are intimately involved with and understand chronic pain.
Call a North Bay Injury Lawyer
Although proving a chronic pain claim can be difficult, a North Bay injury lawyer can be your most important asset in getting fair compensation for your pain. Contact the legal professionals at BLFON Personal Injury Lawyer to understand your legal rights to compensation after an accident injury. We offer a free consultation in order to discuss your claim.