Carol Jones
According to recent reports, unintentional injuries are the fourth most common reason for deaths in the US. More than 2 million people visited the emergency room due to accidental injury.
It is a well-known fact that the healthcare system is pretty expensive. This is why accident victims will sustain a lot of losses. Luckily, personal injury law exists. By filing a personal injury claim, victims can recover their losses.
Victims will definitely need the help of experienced lawyers to win a case. Great attorneys like the ones at Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC, can help victims obtain fair compensation for their losses.
Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
In personal injury cases, victims can recover two types of damages:
- Economic losses
- Non-economic losses
Claiming economic losses is easy because they are computable. The same cannot be said for non-economic losses.
A definitive value cannot be set for non-economic losses.
The following are some of the non-economic losses a victim can recover in a personal case:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
Pain and Suffering
In economic damages, you can claim compensation for the money you spent to treat your injuries. But what about the pain you went through because of the injuries?
Severe injuries cause immense pain for the victim. No one can deny that. This pain the victim is going through should be compensated by the at-fault party.
Mental Distress
Accidents not only cause physical pain but also mental pain. Following an accident, the victim will experience a lot of stress.
The victim has to deal with all the pressuring bills, speak with the highly infuriating insurance adjusters, and somehow recover amidst all this.
Victims who have suffered serious injuries cannot go to work. This will also add to their already stressful lives.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Sometimes, accidents can result in paralysis. The quality of life of people who suffer catastrophic injuries will be reduced significantly.
You cannot participate in activities you enjoyed before the accident due to your injury.
For example, you may love skateboarding but lose your legs in an accident. Now you will not be able to participate in skateboarding anymore.
Also, you may need help carrying out the basic daily activities that you were doing alone before the accident.
Loss of Consortium
As said, accidental injuries are the fourth most common cause of death. When a person dies, their loved ones will miss their companionship.
Spouses will miss the intimate relationship they had with their partner. This is a significantly bigger loss compared to other losses.
If you have lost a loved one as a result of negligence, you can file a wrongful death case. Note that only certain members are allowed to file a wrongful death case. Speak with a lawyer to know whether you’re eligible for one.
Disfigurement
Sometimes accidents will cause permanent disfigurement. These types of injuries can cause mental issues too.
People who experience disfigurement will have low self-confidence and self-esteem. They tend to isolate themselves. They may also experience depression.
Plastic surgery might be a valid option for these individuals, but these surgeries are expensive.
Final Thoughts
The emotional pain an accident causes will be much worse than the financial losses. When filing a claim, it is important to factor in the non-economic losses you have incurred.
You can calculate non-economic losses by using the per-diem method or the multiplier method.
An experienced personal injury lawyer’s help is a must when it comes to obtaining compensation for non-economic losses. The insurance company will try to cheat you if you don’t hire a lawyer. These lawyers can protect you from the insurance company and secure fair compensation for you.
