If it is determined that you are entitled to damages from a person or corporation due to bodily injuries or illness which you have suffered, a determination must be made as to the value of your claim, i.e. the amount or extent of your damages. In determining this, your damage claim is composed of various elements which include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following considerations:

1. Necessary and reasonable medical bills incurred, as well as medical bills and expenses reasonably certain to be incurred in the future;
2. Lost wages or lost income incurred, and lost wages or income reasonably certain to be incurred in the future.
3. Pain and suffering experienced, and pain and suffering reasonably certain to be experienced in the future.
4. The nature, extent and duration of the injury.
5. The permanency or disability experienced, and reasonably certain to be experienced in the future.
6. The loss of a normal life experienced, and reasonably certain to be experienced in the future.

In addition, your claim may also include the following elements:

1. Aggravation of a preexisting ailment or condition
2. Scarring or disfigurement
3. Damage to personal property.
4. Loss of companionship, society, services or consortium when someone near you has been injured, which resulted in death or impairment or functional disabilities.

Permanency, impairment, or functional disabilities may take several forms, such as involving loss of range of motion, loss of dexterity, loss of strength, the inability to perform certain movements or activities, (even hobbies or recreational activities), or the inability to perform such activities as well as you could before the injury.

These factors should all be taken into consideration in determining the value of an injury, although that value is ultimately decided by either a judge, a jury, or arbitrator(s), in the event two parties cannot come to an agreement on the settlement value of an injury. Experienced attorneys in the personal injury field are adept at taking into consideration these elements of damages in valuing your claim.

Contact my firm to discuss your case.