Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. These injuries can leave individuals with devastating permanent injuries that significantly impact their lives.
It’s no secret that healthcare costs in the United States are deeply expensive. A permanent injury can mean paying those costs for the rest of your life.
For this reason, it’s essential that you understand how much an injury case is worth. Determining the worth of a permanent injury settlement can be of the utmost importance.
While no amount of money can fully compensate for the loss of health and quality of life, understanding the factors that contribute to calculating the value of a permanent injury can help clients receive the compensation they deserve.
What are the key considerations and methodologies used to evaluate the worth of this kind of case? What do you need to understand if your well-being is on the line? Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.
What Is a Permanent Injury?
Before delving into the valuation process, it’s essential to understand the nature of permanent injuries. What do we mean when we refer to an injury in this way?
A permanent injury is one that results in lasting or irreversible damage. It’s damage that leaves the victim with long-term consequences.
These injuries can encompass various areas. These could be things such as physical disabilities, loss of bodily functions, chronic pain, psychological trauma, and reduced earning capacity.
Many different kinds of injuries can fall under the umbrella of a permanent injury, so it’s important to speak to experienced attorneys and medical practitioners.
Determining the Worth of a Permanent Injury Case
If you have been saddled with a long-term personal injury, what can you expect in terms of compensation? How much will you need to ensure you’re not struggling due to this new injury?
There are a number of factors that personal injury lawyers look at when it comes to these types of cases. Each of these factors contributes to the big picture of a compensation package.
Severity of Injury
The severity of the permanent injury plays a central role in determining its worth.
Catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and severe spinal cord damage, usually result in higher compensation.
This is due to the significant impact on the victim’s life.
Medical Expenses
The cost of medical treatment and ongoing care required for the permanent injury is a key factor.
These costs include hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. They will also likely include home modifications to accommodate disabilities if needed.
It can be difficult to determine the true cost of medical expenses over many years. You need a collaborative effort between your legal team and your doctors to ensure you’re getting a proper compensation total for these needs.
Loss of Earning Capacity
A permanent injury often affects an individual’s ability to work, leading to lost wages and diminished earning capacity in the future. You simply won’t be able to make money in the way you once did.
They factor these lost wages into how much your case is worth as well. But, the exact amount that someone might need will depend on many factors related to the person’s employment history and prior health.
Calculating lost earnings requires considering the victim’s occupation, age, and potential career advancement.
Pain and Suffering
Evaluating non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, can be challenging.
However, it is essential in assessing the overall value of the case. A person facing a permanent injury is facing a huge change in their life, and the emotional distress this can cause cannot be understated.
The law takes these emotional damages into consideration as well. While it can be hard to put an exact number to this kind of suffering, an experienced personal injury attorney will have handled cases like this many times in the past and should know exactly how to land upon a suitable amount.
The extent to which the permanent injury disrupts the victim’s daily activities, relationships, and personal life can also contribute to the case’s value.
Geographic Location
The location of the lawsuit can influence the potential compensation, too.
Different regions may have varying legal precedents and jury verdict trends.
If you’re unsure how your region may impact your case, you may want to ask for the expertise of an attorney who practices in that area.
Methods of Valuation
Several methods are used to calculate the value of a permanent injury.
Multiplier Method
This approach involves multiplying the total economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, etc.) by a factor determined by the severity of the injury and its impact on the victim’s life.
Per Diem Method
In this method, a daily rate is assigned to the victim’s pain and suffering, and the total amount is calculated based on the estimated duration of the permanent injury.
Present Value Calculation
For future damages, such as lost earnings and ongoing medical care, the future value is discounted to its present value to account for inflation and the time value of money.
Anticipating an Accident Injury Settlement
Determining the worth of a permanent injury is a complex process. It is one that requires careful analysis of numerous factors.
It is crucial to be well-versed in the legal principles and valuation methods to secure fair compensation for victims. While financial compensation cannot fully heal the wounds of a permanent injury, it can help provide the necessary resources to cope with the challenges and changes that come with such life-altering circumstances.
As advocates for justice, it is our duty to fight for the rights of those who have endured the consequences of permanent injuries. We strive to obtain the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Need immediate assistance with your case? Give us a call anytime for a consultation.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
