Tips for Testifying in Court

Whether you are going to court for your Workers’ Compensation case or a Social Security Disability case it can make you very nervous.

Here are some tips to calm you and help you put the best light on your case.

Make sure you practice your answers. You can do this with your lawyer and at home with a friend or family member.

The attorney and the Judge may ask you a series of questions to help the court understand your case and health conditions.

For instance, in an Illinois Workers’ Compensation case the most important questions are how were you injured, what treatment did you receive, what is your condition like today, and what limitations do you have.

The attorney for the insurance company may try to attack how your accident occurred, and dispute that your injury is related to the accident.

The Judge wants to understand the circumstances surrounding your accident and how it impacts your condition currently.

In Social Security Disability cases the Judge wants to understand why you cannot work any job at this time. In addition, the Judge wants to understand your functional limitations regarding sitting, standing, lifting, walking, reaching, handling and fingering.

The Social Security Judge also wants to know how your conditions limit your daily activities and ability to do chores.

It is important to understand that the Workers’ Compensation Arbitrator or Judge decides your case on the basis of whether your accident caused your condition and the value is dependent on your limitations and the type of medical treatment you received.

Regarding Social Security Disability cases, the Judge has to decide if there is any job you can perform.

Questions about your upcoming case and how to prepare? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Injury and Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.