permanent injury

Calculating Damages for Permanent Injuries

While most injury victims are lucky to walk away with no injuries or injuries that require minimal treatment, some are far less lucky. Some are left with permanent injuries that will follow them the rest of their lives, forever reminding them of the injury and what it cost them. Knowing that, it seems unfair that financial compensation is the only option that victims have. Unfortunately, that is the only justice available—for that reason, it’s crucial to make sure you seek out every single penny you are due.

If you’ve suffered a permanent injury because of another driver’s negligence, make sure you fight for the compensation you are owed. Take the first step now by calling Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne at 251-937-7024.

What Makes Permanent Injuries Different?

Permanent injuries are much more expensive than injuries that eventually heal. To start, a victim will have medical care needs for the rest of their life. As medical costs increase year after year, that alone is enough to drive up a settlement estimate considerably. Additionally, it’s important to think about how a permanent injury will affect an individual’s ability to work. In many cases, the individual can no longer work at all.

This is a huge financial blow to the family and deserves significant compensation. A homemaker may not lose any income due to a personal injury, but they are unlikely to continue their role at home. They may need to hire out for childcare, housekeeping, and other tasks they once did on their own.

Furthermore, the emotional burden of a permanent injury is far, far heavier than that of a less serious injury. Not only does it take a toll on the victim, but it can also be devastating to their friends and family members.

Listed below, there are several types of damages a victim may be awarded after a permanent injury.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are the easily calculated costs of an injury. They include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These damages can be extremely high for those with permanent injuries. Not only do you have the standard expenses of an accident, but you also have long-term costs like future medical care and permanent loss of wages.

Non-Compensatory Damages

Not all losses are financial, and non-compensatory damages aim to make up for these losses. You may receive compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. Pain and suffering compensation may be significantly higher for someone with a permanent injury, particularly if they will spend a lifetime going through invasive or intensive medical procedures.

Emotional distress damages may be substantial for someone with a permanent injury. They don’t just have to deal with the reality of the injury for a short time as they wait to heal—they will carry it with them for the rest of their life. That’s a huge emotional burden to carry. Loss of consortium compensates a spouse for the loss of their spouse’s company, fellowship, and assistance in the home. Again, this may be a lot, as the spouse has permanently lost those benefits of marriage.

Getting a Fair Calculation

It is often challenging to calculate damages for a permanent injury. When you try to imagine the multitude of ways a permanent injury will affect you, it is hard to account for every single way you’ll need to change your life. That’s why it’s important to talk to a Fairhope personal injury lawyer with experience in permanent injury claims.

Medical care is increasing all the time, and you must be able to get the care you need later in life. When calculating lost future income, you don’t just have to think about your current wages—you must also consider the promotion and growth opportunities you have now lost out on because of your injury. An attorney can account for all of this in their calculations.

We’re Here to Help—Call Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne Now

If you’re ready to seek compensation for your permanent injury, let’s talk about what comes next and how we can assist you. Call our Fairhope office at 251-928-1915 or send us a message online. The team at Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne is here for you.

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