Why This Matters
Your pain score is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case. Insurance companies and defense attorneys look for consistent documentation of how your injuries affect your daily life.
Logging your pain regularly helps your attorney:
- Demonstrate the severity and duration of your injuries
- Show patterns in your pain over time
- Build a stronger case for fair compensation
Even on days when you feel better, it's important to log your score. Gaps in your pain log can be used against you.
How to Log a Pain Score
Step 1: Open Pain Tracking
From the home screen, tap the Treatment tab at the bottom of the screen, then the Pain Tracking section.
Step 2: Tap "Add Pain Score"
At the bottom of the Pain Tracking screen, tap the purple Add Pain Score button.
Step 3: Select Your Pain Level
Select a number from 0-10 that best describes your current pain:
- 😃 0 - No Pain: I have no pain
- 🙂 1 - Minimal: My pain is hardly noticeable
- 😐 2 - Mild: I can ignore my pain for hours
- 😕 3 - Uncomfortable: My pain bothers me but I can ignore it most of the time
- 😟 4 - Moderate: I am constantly aware of my pain but can continue most activities
- 😖 5 - Distracting: I think about my pain most of the time and cannot do some activities
- 😫 6 - Distressing: I think about my pain all the time and give up many activities
- 😢 7 - Unmanageable: I am in pain all the time. It keeps me from doing most activities
- 😭 8 - Intense: My pain is so severe it is hard to think of anything else
- 😵💫 9 - Severe: My pain is all I can think about. I can barely talk or move
- 🚑 10 - Unable to Move: I am in bed and can't move due to my pain
Be honest about your pain level. Don't exaggerate, but don't downplay it either.
Step 4: Add Notes (Recommended)
In the Notes field, describe:
- What activities made the pain worse or better
- How the pain affected your day (couldn't work, couldn't sleep, etc.)
- Any medications you took
Example: "Woke up with sharp lower back pain. Had to call in sick to work. Took ibuprofen but it only helped for a few hours."
Step 5: Select Related Body Parts (Optional)
Tap Edit next to "Related Body Parts" to check which areas hurt. This helps show exactly where you're experiencing pain.
Step 6: Tap Save
Hit Save to record your pain score. You'll see it appear in your pain history with a chart showing your pain over time.
Tips for Better Pain Tracking
- Log at the same time each day - Pick a time (like before bed) and make it a habit
- Be specific in your notes - "Pain was bad" is less helpful than "Couldn't pick up my child because of shooting pain in my lower back"
- Log even on good days - A score of 2 is still valuable data showing the ups and downs of your recovery
- Don't skip days - Consistent logging is more credible than sporadic entries
What Your Attorney Sees
When you log pain scores, your attorney can view:
- A chart showing your pain levels over time
- All your entries with dates, scores, and notes
- Patterns that help build your case
This information becomes part of your case file and can be used in negotiations or at trial.
Need Help?
If you're having trouble with the Pain Tracking feature, contact your law firm through CaseChat or tap the help icon in the top right corner of any screen.