If you’ve been injured in a car wreck, a dog bite incident or a slip-and-fall accident, then you’re probably worried about the future. Perhaps your medical bills are coming due and your inability to work has siphoned off your income. You’re also trying to find a way to cope with the physical pain and limitations that were unfairly thrust upon you, as well as the emotional toll that has been dealt to you.
With your back against the wall, you’re probably ready to fight for accountability and the compensation that you deserve. But that leaves a lot of people wondering what they can actually recover from their personal injury claim.
How much is your case worth?
The answer to this question depends heavily on the specific facts of your case. That said, let’s look at some of the typical damages you may be able to recover in your case:
- Medical expenses: You can seek to recoup the money you’ve already doled out for your medical care, but a significant portion of your damages are down the road. Therefore, as you consider the extent of your damages, you need to be forward looking. When it comes to medical expenses, this means knowing your prognosis, your need for ongoing treatment, and exactly what that treatment will look like and cost. A medical expert can help you determine this figure in light of your unique set of circumstances.
- Lost wages: The same can be said of lost wages. You’ll want to track the money you’ve lost due to being out of work, but you’ll also want to consider the future implications that your injuries have on your ability to work. You may incur additional lost wages, but your injuries might also impact your earnings capacity by limiting the type and amount of work that you can perform. Again, you may need expert testimony here to help paint a clear picture of the full extent of your damages in this regard.
- Noneconomic damages: These damages are those that you can’t easily put a price tag on. They include your pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Proving these damages can be a little more difficult, which is why it’s wise to keep a journal of how your injuries have affected your life. This will allow you to give very specific, concrete examples of the damage that has been caused to you, which can be extraordinarily powerful in court.
Proving these damages can be trickier than you think. That’s why you should put in the work needed on the front end of your case to build the persuasive arguments that you need. This includes gathering all relevant evidence, including medical and employment records, and identifying witnesses who can support your position.
Fight for what you deserve
You’re going to face a lot of push back as you seek to resolve your claim, whether through negotiations or litigation. But you can’t let yourself be bullied by insurance companies, businesses, and individual drivers who have caused your harm. Instead, you need to be prepared to stand up to have your voice be heard and to find accountability. Only then can you maximize your chances of recovering the compensation that you need to spur your recovery forward.
We know that these are stressful times, but you can and will get through this. Law firms like ours are here to help you if you think that you could benefit from having an aggressive advocate on your side as you navigate your claim.