Though we get many questions from potential clients, often one of the first questions is: How much is my personal injury case worth? This question does not have a simple answer but there are generally four factors that will affect how much it’s worth: Whose fault it was, the extent of the injuries, the extent of lost earnings, and the extent of pain and suffering.
To learn more about how these factors affect the value of a personal injury case, keep reading. If you are ready to schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 today.
1. Liability
The factor that will have the biggest impact on the eventual payout is whose fault the accident was. If the other party was entirely at fault then your award will be 100% of the agreed upon damages or jury award. However, if you are found to be partially at fault and your case goes to court, then your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awarded $100,000 and you were found to be 25% at fault, your award would be reduced by $25,000.
2. Specifics of Your Injuries
The type and extent of your injuries will have a large impact as well. While you will likely be entitled to damages if you break an arm, they will not be as extensive as the damages awarded to a person who suffered a spinal cord injury.
In addition to the type of injury, the extent of the injury is important to consider. Using the above example, a complex facture may result in a higher award than a minor spinal cord injury that was immediately repaired. While the type of injury generally has an impact, the bigger issue is usually how serious the injury was.
3. Lost Income
Most injury cases include damages for lost income. This could be a person’s lost income when they were recovering from the initial injury and subsequent missed work due to doctor’s appointments. Even if they used sick time or personal time off, and were paid by their employer, they can still be eligible to recoup damages. In other instances, lost income can translate to long-term lost earnings. For example, if a server suffered an injury that prevented them from being on their feet for hours at a time, then they would no longer be able to work at their previous capacity and could potentially be compensated for it.
4. Pain and Suffering
There are various formulas that can be used to determine pain and suffering. The best way to find out what your case is likely worth, including pain and suffering and the above factors, is to talk directly to a personal injury attorney. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
