Attorney Intake Form: Airline Personal Injuries

People are killed or seriously injured in airplane crashes every year. In other situations, an airline passenger may twist their back trying to put luggage in an overhead bin. Or they might be burned by spilled coffee from a service cart during a particularly rough patch of turbulence. If you have been injured while on an airplane, you might retain the services of an attorney. This intake form can help answer questions that your lawyer may ask you in an initial consultation.

Available in PDF | MS Word

Basic Information

Your lawyer's intake form will start with general background information, including:

• Name and former names
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Address and previous address(es) (for the last 10 years)
• Home and work telephone numbers
• Current employer, position, address, and previous employment history
• Gross monthly income
• Family information

Travel Information Regarding the Airline Incident

Next, your attorney will want to gather data on the travel events that led to your injuries. This includes:

• Dates of travel
• Purpose for travel
• Travel agency used (if applicable)
• Airline and flight number
• Departure and arrival city

Potential parties, such as the airline or the travel agency, may have negligence liability for your injuries. Identifying this information for your lawyer will help them determine who to sue.

Injury Information

In tort law, or the area of law dealing with civil wrongs leading to injuries, your injury information is the meat and potatoes of your personal injury case. A law firm will want to know:

• Date and time of the injury
• Description of how the injury occurred
• Symptoms and accessibility issues related to your personal injury claim
• Names and addresses of witnesses to the injury, if known
• If the injury was reported to the airline

It goes without saying that you'll want to describe the nature of your injuries in detail. You may want to take photographs or videos to bring with you. Some harms, like brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, might not be readily apparent. You may need to obtain medical treatment records to help your attorney learn more about the extent of your injuries.

Hopefully, no one involved in the accident suffered a fatality. If you, your family members, or loved ones did experience a tragic loss, make sure to ask your lawyer about wrongful death. In these situations, your marital status might also be relevant to your case due to the significance of the loss.

Treatment and Medical Care

To substantiate your injuries and estimate your damages, your lawyer will want to examine the hard evidence, including:

• Description of immediate medical attention received
• Description of subsequent medical attention received
• Names and locations of medical providers
• Any current medical conditions
• Previous medical history
• Any history of similar/same injuries

Does the injury prohibit performance of any daily living activities? (e.g., Can you brush your hair? Dress yourself? Drive a car?)

Eventually, your lawyer will want to pull medical bills and records that they can compile and present to the airline or its insurance. Obtaining the above information can go a long way in making your lawyer's life easier when organizing your documents.

Work-Related Losses

Because your injury may have prevented you from being able to work, your lawyer may want to know about the time and money you lost from your job. This includes:

• Time lost from work since injury
• Amount of time lost
• Specific dates and times
• Sick days and paid time off (PTO) used

One disclaimer to keep in mind is the importance of keeping your employer informed regarding your injuries. This will allow your boss or manager to document the reason for your absence in case you need the evidence for court later.

Miscellaneous Information

Sometimes, your background might be relevant to determining the value of your case. For example, if you led an active lifestyle prior to your injuries, you may be able to allege pain and suffering. When things like disfigurement or disability prevent you from doing things you used to enjoy, someone needs to pay for those damages. Your lawyer might, therefore, ask you:

• Your hobbies/interests
• Your daily activities outside of work
• Whether your injury prevents you from engaging in other activities

Also, if you have questions about your aviation accident case (FAQ), make sure to write them down. You will be able to discuss different personal injury questions during your meeting.

Get Legal Help With Your Airline Personal Injuries

Airline injuries can have serious implications for victims, including extensive recovery time spent away from work. A law office of personal injury lawyers covers many practice areas, which usually include airline injuries. For many lawyers, attorney fees for legal representation don't kick in unless you win your case. This is called a contingency fee arrangement. In the U.S., many attorneys have toll-free phone numbers you can call to obtain legal advice about personal injury law.

An injury lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, navigating an airline injury suit and obtaining a favorable verdict is a complicated task. The first step is to learn more about your claim. You can do this by discussing your case with a skilled personal injury attorney near you. They can provide you with legal services to win your case and fight against insurance companies if necessary.