While suffering from the trauma of an accident, you may not be in the right headspace to think about damages. It might also be challenging to understand how to calculate the compensation amount for your injuries.
A lawyer for personal injury can help you do that, along with other services such as filing a lawsuit. If you want to know more about how an attorney does that, you don’t have to go any further.
Let’s look at the damages that are taken into consideration during personal injury lawsuits and their calculation method.
What Type of Damages a Lawyer for Personal Injury Can Help You With?
When filing a lawsuit, your personal injury damages will form the basis of the case. This is why you must understand the types of claims you can file for.
Below are some damages a lawyer for personal injury can help you with:
1. Disability Damages
The chance of a person becoming disabled after a road accident is 9.59%, as per a study. Your legs may get crushed in a traumatic personal injury incident.
So you may not be able to walk because of that. Amputations after accidents are also common to save the victim’s life.
Whether you lose a limb or loss of function in a body part, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim for that.
The attorney can also use your hospital bills and other related expenses to calculate your rightful compensation.
2. Disfigurement Damages
An accident may leave you with a permanent scar that can change your appearance. You can file a claim against that with the help of a lawyer for personal injury.
This is especially true if your face or body plays an important role in your career. For example, you may have been modeling for a clothing brand.
Remember, you can file a case even if the disfigurement is temporary. It may also be necessary to undergo expensive surgery to fix your state.
Your attorney will help you win compensation to get the condition fixed if it’s possible. Otherwise, the amount will allow you to relieve your financial burden.
3. Brain Injury Or Trauma
Some accidents can leave you with a severe blow to the head. This can cause a traumatic brain injury, such as concussions.
You may even go into a coma for some time or face a severe brain injury. Multiple surgeries may also be required to help you recover from the accident.
Hospital bills for brain injuries can be overwhelming because of expensive procedures. A lawyer for personal injury will talk to your medical professionals to help you calculate the correct compensation amount.
4. Death Of A Loved One
If someone’s negligence causes you to lose your loved one, you may file a lawsuit against them with the help of a lawyer for personal injury.
For example, if your partner falls due to a loose step in an apartment building and passes away, you can file a case against the building manager or owner for negligence.
This type of claim mainly comes under special damages. Injuries leading to economic damages also fall under the same category.
5. Punitive Damages
A lawyer for personal injury can help you file for punitive damages, which are different from other claims. In such cases, the defendant is also punished for unethical behavior.
For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for punitive damages.
Typically, the compensation is three times the amount of total compensatory damages. It may also be $500,000. The greater value is awarded by the court.
However, these cases are rarely filed in court. So it may be difficult to get the compensation. This is why you will need an expert lawyer for personal injury by your side.
How Does a Lawyer for Personal Injury Calculate Damages for Lawsuits?
There is no specific formula to calculate the compensation you must receive after an accident. The rule of thumb is to combine the expenses you faced after the crash.
An approximate value is determined to ease your pain and suffering. Your lawyer for personal injury will help you calculate the amount using various damages.
Some personal injury lawyers and firms may also multiply your damages by 1.5 to 5 times to determine an accurate value.
Apart from the earlier damages, here are some other things that are considered to calculate compensation:
- All medical bills related to the injury caused by the crash. Past, present, and future expenses are combined
- Cost of repairing your vehicle
- Emotional trauma
- Lost wages
- Loss of job opportunities that you may face because of working limitations due to your injury
What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Florida?
The statute of limitations for filing personal injury cases in Florida is four years from the day of the accident. This means a person suffering from a personal injury accident can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party within this range.
Sometimes, you may not realize the severity of your injury to file a claim immediately. However, your condition may worsen with time, causing you to seek compensation to pay your bills.
In some cases, the limitation may also be extended if the injury is realized later. For example, if a minor is injured in an accident, the limitation rule will apply to them once they turn 18.
Remember, once the statute of limitations has passed, you cannot file the case in any court.
Contact Us Now
Whether you want to file a claim for an old or recent personal injury, it is important to have a lawyer who can calculate your damages accurately.
Choosing our services may help you understand your legal situation better. You also don’t have to worry about hiring a lawyer immediately.
Phone us now to set up a consultation visit in which you can speak to our expert team members and make an informed decision.
