How Damages Are Assessed in a Personal Injury Case

By Zane T. Cagle | February 11, 2021 | Personal Injury

When many people are injured in different types of accidents, they often don’t know what to do next. Naturally, if you’ve found yourself suffering from a personal injury, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the most important questions a person might have is what type of compensation they deserve. This is extremely important, as this ensures that you’re compensated for your injury. However, many people don’t know how much they deserve. Insurance companies often give less than this amount, so many people work with a personal injury lawyer to get a fair amount of compensation.

If you were recently injured in an accident, you’re probably wondering what amount of compensation is right for the damages you’ve faced. Knowing the full amount you’re owed is extremely difficult. The best way of finding this out and getting what you deserve is with a personal injury lawyer. Unfortunately, there are no formulas to calculate your damages or award. Each injury is different, as well as the cause of the injury.

Here are some factors in how damages are assessed in a personal injury case.

Medical Expenses

Even treatment for minor injuries can be costly. Getting medical treatment for your injuries is extremely important and can’t be put off, even though many people struggle to afford their medical bills. You wouldn’t have needed medical treatment if not for another person’s carelessness, so you shouldn’t have to deal with this burden on your own. Because of this, your medical bills are considered when determining the damages for your case. Since your treatment may likely continue going forward, your compensation may also need to include how much your medical expenses may amount to in the future. Seeking medical treatment soon after an accident and following a doctor’s orders is crucial to help victims receive compensation for this reason. Medical treatment needed immediately after an injury and continued care are usually the biggest factors in determining the value of a claim.

Lost Income

If you’ve lost your income due to your injuries, this is another damage that may be assessed. Severe injuries will almost always require you to take time off from work, and this could be a significant amount of time depending on your job and the extent of your injuries, which could force you to lose your income. This may also account for the income you’re expected to lose in the future. If you have long-term or permanent injuries, you might not be able to do the same level or amount of work as before and will have to expect lower-paying jobs or give up working completely.

Pain and Suffering

The injuries victims suffer in personal injury cases can be extremely painful, and the amount of time they experience this pain can be extremely long. Not only do victims suffer from the physical pain of their injuries, but many also experience severe emotional pain and suffering. These injuries can change a person’s life and cause them to have to give up the things they enjoy, which can be terrible to go through. However, determining how much a person is owed for their pain and suffering can be difficult. Unlike economic damages like medical bills, this may often be difficult to determine. To receive compensation for your pain and suffering, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine the amount you deserve.

Find Out How Much Your Personal Injury Case is Worth

How much money is owed to victims in personal injury cases isn’t always clear, and figuring this out requires an expert to assess the damages to know for sure. At The Cagle Law Firm, we believe that victims in personal injury cases deserve to be fairly compensated for the damages they’ve had to endure due to someone else’s negligence. We know how difficult serious injuries can make life and want to see that you have the financial resources you need to get through it.

Call The Cagle Law Firm toll-free at (1-800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681 to find out how much your personal injury case is worth.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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