4 Factors That Influence Personal Injury Compensation
If you are injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and other damages. However, the amount of your compensation is determined by several factors. Below are the four most common factors that influence the amount of compensation a plaintiff can receive in a personal injury claim.
1. The Cost of Your Medical Care
The extent of the injury significantly determines the amount of personal injury compensation. The greater the severity of the injury, the greater the compensation. For example, a person who gets a minor injury, like a sprained ankle, might get less money than someone who gets a serious injury, like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.
Usually, your compensation includes the initial costs of treating the injuries and any future medical expenses due to the accident. For example, if you have a serious injury that needs ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation, you may get paid for the cost of these treatments. Similarly, a permanent disability that necessitates special accommodations or equipment should also be compensated.
2. The Loss of Wages and Earning Capacity
If your injuries make it impossible for you to work, you may get money to compensate for the lost earnings and wages. Lost wages also significantly determine your injury claim amount, particularly if you were earning a high salary or working for yourself.
You may be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity and wages equaling the amount of money you could have made if you hadn't been injured in the accident. For example, if you were a highly skilled worker who got hurt and couldn't go back to work, you may get paid for the money you would have made if you had been able to work.
3. The Effect on Your Life Quality
You can get money to cover the accident's effect on your quality of life. Physical pain and suffering, as well as emotional and psychological distress, may be compensated.
Assume you have a serious injury that left you in chronic pain or limited mobility. In that case, you may receive compensation for the ongoing impact on your daily life. Similarly, you may be entitled to compensation if you suffered a traumatic brain injury that harmed your cognitive abilities or emotional well-being.
4. The Importance of Comparative Negligence
The victim may have contributed to the accident in some personal injury cases. For example, if you were texting while driving and were involved in a car accident, you could be held partially responsible. In such cases, the concept of comparative negligence may apply.
The percentage of fault you share for the accident may lower your compensation under comparative negligence. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, the court would reduce your compensation by 20%.
Remember that how much you were at fault will depend on how the accident happened and what evidence there is. A skilled personal injury lawyer can explain what comparative negligence means in your case and how it might affect your compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to another person's negligence, don't be afraid to seek the legal representation you deserve. At Janssen Law, LLC, we have a team of experienced personal injury lawyers who work hard to help our clients get fair compensation for their injuries.
We know that getting hurt can hurt you physically, emotionally, and financially, and we will do our best to ensure you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today to set up a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you with your injury claim.
