Address health and immediate safety
Seek appropriate care and follow the instructions you receive. Keep discharge papers, referrals, work restrictions, and provider contact information together.
Record the incident
Write down the date, location, people involved, report numbers, and where photos or video may exist. Preserve original files and avoid editing the only copy.
Start one correspondence log
Record insurance calls, letters, emails, claim numbers, requests, and deadlines in one place. Note what you sent and keep a copy when possible.
Protect time-sensitive questions
Legal deadlines and notice rules depend on the jurisdiction, parties, and facts. Ask a qualified local lawyer promptly; do not calculate a filing date from a general article.
Prepare a concise consultation packet
Bring a one-page timeline, provider list, reports, correspondence, and your priority questions. A useful first conversation does not require a perfect file.