You have an attorney for your aircraft accident / burn injury case; Now what?

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
You are required by law to avoid all consequences of your injuries you can reasonably avoid. (This is called "mitigation of damages"). If you sustain a burn injury in an aircraft accident (that through proper medical care would have greatly reduced the scaring from the accidental burn) you cannot refuse medical treatment and recover for the burn injury accident. This means you must obtain all medical care reasonably necessary to return your physical health to the condition as it existed prior to your accident. Therefore it is extremely important you receive and complete treatment with your medical providers.

REPORTING THE ACCIDENT
If your personal injury case has arisen from a motor vehicle collision, and you were one of the drivers you must file a report of the accident with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Seek assistance in this matter immediately from your insurance carrier.

KEEPING YOUR ATTORNEY AND OTHERS INFORMED
Insurance companies do not pay money willingly. They vigorously resist payment of claims. They fight hard to retain the premiums they collect from their insured clients. Dealing with them can be frustrating and stressful. The insurance company can be expected to thoroughly investigate the facts of the accident, your claim for medical treatment, and any past injuries or claims. The insurance company may obtain copies of your past medical records and past claims you have made as the latter is available through an index system to which most, if not all, insurance companies subscribe.
1. Tell your California personal accident attorney about any prior injury or prior pain to any parts of your body. If, for instance, you were previously accidentally burned and now complain of a burn injury, if you try to keep this from your burn injury accident attorney, you risk losing the case.

2. Furnish your attorney with the names and address of doctors who have treated you for your accident. Inform your burn injury accident attorney of all treating doctors, hospitals and medical providers. In addition, it is very important for your attorney to have documents relevant to your case. For instance, send all bills you receive for treatment to your attorney. You may keep copies of those bills but it is important you provide your attorney with all medical bills you receive. They are important as evidence.

3. Provide your attorney the name and address of your employer.

4. Provide your attorney the face page(s) (declarations page) of any health insurance (and automobile insurance policies) you have if your injury case has arisen from a vehicle collision or, if you are covered under any other policies, the face page(s) of such policy.

5. Insurance companies maintain records of claims against any insurance company. They will discover if you have made a previous claim. Do not attempt to keep such information secret from your California personal accident attorney (or, indeed, any information). Withholding information can ruin an otherwise valid claim for lack of credibility on your part.

6. Tell your doctor all of your complaints. His records will only reflect what you tell him. Don't expect recovery for injuries not mentioned during treatment unless it truly manifests itself at a later time, and then be sure to then mention it to your doctor.

7. Keep your attorney informed of anything you think may affect your case. Do not sign anything without first consulting your attorney.

8. Applications for insurance benefits; reports to the State; any change in doctors; returning to work; any change in treatment or discharge from treatment; all should be reported to your attorney promptly.