What Is a List of Harms and Why Is It Important in Accident Claims?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C. or Maryland, you may already be overwhelmed by doctor’s visits, paperwork, and pain. But there’s one critical step that can make a major difference in your case: creating a List of Harms.
What Is a List of Harms?
A List of Harms is a detailed record that outlines how your injuries have affected your life. It goes beyond the physical to include the emotional, financial, and social impact of the accident. This list serves as a snapshot of what your life looked like before the crash—and what it looks like now.
Why A List of Harms Is So Important
If you are in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- And more
To achieve our goal of maximizing your settlement value, it is essential to document exactly how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life. A List of Harms paints that picture.
This also helps insurance companies, opposing attorneys, or even a judge and jury understand the true cost of your injuries, not just in dollars, but in quality of life. It makes your experience real and can be harder for the at-fault driver’s insurance adjusters to dispute.
What to Include in Your List of Harms
When putting your list together, ask yourself: “What was I able to do before the accident that I can no longer do or can only do with difficulty now?”
Examples include:
- At Home: Doing laundry, vacuuming, mowing the lawn, carrying groceries, lifting your child
- Family Life: Playing with your kids, participating in family activities, helping elderly parents
- Social Life: Going to dinner, attending parties or weddings, celebrating holidays
- Hobbies & Activities: Going to the gym, dancing, biking, walking, swimming, playing sports
- Emotional Health: Feeling anxious, withdrawn, depressed, or irritable
You should also think about different timeframes:
- Right after the accident: Were you confined to bed, unable to move, or reliant on others?
- A few weeks or months later: What long-term symptoms or limitations have remained?
- Even now: Is there anything you still can’t do that used to be a regular part of your life?
Don’t hesitate to ask loved ones, “What have you noticed that’s different about me since the accident?” Sometimes, friends or family can offer insights that you may not have realized, like changes in your mood, behavior, or physical ability that reflect the true extent of your harm.
How a List of Harms Strengthens Your Claim
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your pain. A well-documented List of Harms counters that narrative by presenting an honest, detailed look at your losses. It helps your legal team advocate more powerfully for the compensation you deserve.
In the video below, Michael Lapidus of The Lapidus Law Firm explains what a List of Harms is, why it’s so important in a car accident injury claim, and how it can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Legal Support from The Lapidus Law Firm
With nearly five decades of experience, The Lapidus Law Firm has successfully represented countless injury victims throughout Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Larry and Michael Lapidus are dedicated to helping you tell your story, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. And always remember, we will fight to make things right.