Begin with fixed events
Add the incident, reports, first medical visit, insurer notice, and missed-work dates using the underlying record wherever possible. Note the source beside each entry.
Add communications
Record calls, letters, emails, document requests, and responses. Include the sender, recipient, subject, and any date mentioned without treating another party’s statement as an established fact.
Mark gaps and open questions
Use a separate label for an unknown date, missing record, or disputed point. A transparent gap is more useful than a confident estimate that later conflicts with documentary evidence.
Keep the timeline current
Update the chronology when care, work status, insurance correspondence, or legal proceedings change. Preserve earlier records rather than rewriting history to fit a later understanding.