The most important thing for you to do, quite simply, is to recover from your injury. The law requires injured people to "mitigate their damages." In other words, the law requires you to do that which is necessary to improve your physical condition and recover from your injury.

For you this may mean some, or all, of the following steps:

a. Do not miss appointments with your doctor. Stay in touch with your doctor and be certain to maintain your appointments. If you have to cancel, notify the doctor with as much notice as possible. The words "no show" on a doctor's record sheet can be used against you at the time of settlement or trial.

b. Attend physical therapy sessions as prescribed. Your physician or hospital may prescribe therapy to facilitate recovery from your injury. Such a procedure is often helpful in many types of injuries including strains, sprains and other so-called "soft tissue" injuries. If physical therapy is prescribed, be sure to keep your appointments and participate actively in the process. Again, if you have to cancel an appointment, be sure to call, but try to avoid cancellation as much as possible.

c. Do what your doctor tells you to do. If your physician prescribes certain medications, therapy exercises, or limitations on activities, be sure to follow your doctor's orders. Failure to follow your doctor's advice can be used against you when it comes time to settle your case, or can be used against you in court if your claim proceeds to litigation.

d. Follow your doctor's advice with respect to work and leisure activities. If your physician advises you to rest, stay home from work, or avoid certain activities, it is important that you follow such advice. If you resist your doctor's advice and do activities that have been limited, it will not only prevent a speedy recovery, but could also affect the legal aspects of your case. Even though staying out of work may have an impact financially, it is important that you follow such advice so that your recovery will be enhanced. Your attorney will attempt to recover lost earnings.

About Our Attorney:-

Mr. Lawrence Puritz

Mr. Puritz has been practicing law in Northern California since 1978.

Prior to entering law school, he graduated from California State University, Chico, in 1973.

He graduated from Western State University School of Law in 1978, and joined a law firm in Chico and became a partner. During his 20 year tenure with Matthews, Fuqua and Puritz, he practiced personal injury law, both as an insurance defense attorney and representing injured parties, family law, business law, and estate planning.

His combination of representing insurance companies and their insureds, as well as injured parties for over 25 years has provided him insight into the inner workings of insurance companies, as well as the needs and concerns of injured parties.

Mr. Puritz left his prior firm in 1998 in order to focus his practice exclusively on representing the injured and making sure that they are provided with the absolute best representation in their battle with the people that injured them and the insurance companies.

Practice Areas: Personal Injury; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Bicycle Accidents; Boating Accidents; Catastrophic Injury; Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries; Motorcycle Accidents; Pedestrian Injuries; Estate Planning; Living Trusts; Wealth Preservation.

Admitted: 1978, California

Law School: Western State University, J.D., 1977

College: California State University at Chico, B.A., 1972

Member: Butte County Bar Association; State Bar of California.

Born: Chico, California, March 6, 1950

ISLN: 904282823