Do's and Don'ts of Communication During Your Personal Injury Case

Do you have to pursue compensation for an injury? If so, you must act carefully before, during, and even after your personal injury case is litigated. For example, how you communicate on the subject and with whom could have a big impact on whether you win and how much you receive.

To help you out, here are a few do's and don'ts regarding talking about your case that anyone can follow.

Do Talk With Your Attorney

A good personal injury attorney is one of your most valuable assets in any personal injury case. If you think you may have a case for damages, meet with a lawyer as soon as possible to get more details and an objective third party's perspective.

As your case moves forward, keep open communication with your lawyer as well. Ask them before discussing your case with any other parties. Remember, it's better to be proactive and pick up the phone to do damage control later.

Don't Talk on Social Media

Social media can be a minefield for anyone involved in any kind of court case. Social media users often forget how accessible their posts, tweets, and 'likes' may be. The other side's lawyers will comb through your internet presence for anything they can use, so don't give them ammunition. This includes posting on private accounts, deleting accounts, or using alternate usernames.

Do Talk About Discretion

Have a conversation with your close friends and family members about how they can help you with your case by being discreet. Set some ground rules and explain how their innocent conversation could be used against you. If your friend posts a cute photo of you enjoying a night out, for example, it could be used to support a claim that your injuries aren't that bad.

Set some ground rules for your close circle of friends and give them a general idea what to expect. Ask that they leave you out of all social media and never post pictures until the case is complete. Let them know if your attorney will contact them for depositions and to avoid speaking with any strange attorneys. And ask them to simply avoid talking about your case at all among their acquaintances as well.

Don't Talk With Casual Outsiders

Avoid casual conversation about your injuries or your case with those outside your immediate circle of close confidants. Even a small mention that seems innocent - like complaining to a co-worker at the water cooler about physical therapy being unnecessary - could be a problem for your case. This may require some self-policing if you're normally a gregarious and social person.

Do Talk With a Counselor

One person you may want to consider talking to at length is a qualified counselor. Victims of injuries or accidents need to seek the right treatment for all health issues - including mental health concerns. If you have lingering symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as trouble sleeping, anxiety (general or specific), disconnection, or irritability, you should consider the help of a professional.

Talk to your counselor about confidentiality. Generally, they are ethically and legally bound to keep your sessions private. So if concern about your case keeps you from talking about it with others, this could be a needed outlet.

Many victims of personal injury find it difficult to avoid all potential trouble when it comes to communicating during this time. But the effort will be worth it when you are successful in your case and get what you need to make a full recovery. At Frank W. Thompson Attorney at Law Erwin Thompson Faillers, we are here to help. Call today to make an appointment.