What is a pain journal?
A pain journal is exactly what it sounds like. It is a notebook or log, either written or electronic, where you keep track of your daily pain and other symptoms. You chart what kind of pain you are feeling, how long it lasts, and otherwise characterize it.
For example, you might describe the pain as shooting and intermittent, and rate it on a scale of 1-10. You might note that it is worse in the morning, or later in the day. You might list what makes it better or worse. You could record what activities you’re limited in performing that particular day — what you used to do, but no longer can do. And you could explain how the pain is impacting your mental and emotional health on that particular day.
Pain journals capture the full scope of what you’ve been through, which helps explain what you will continue to go through.
Instead of giving jurors a snapshot of your pain, you will be asking them to consider the day-by-day cumulative toll — which should add up to a higher monetary award.