If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. When deciding how much compensation to request, there are many factors to consider. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in determining which factors apply to your case.
At Dennis A. Lopez & Associates, we have more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law. Contact our Florida injury attorney team for a free consultation by calling (877)-333-3676.
There are six common things to consider when putting together your final compensation request:
Property Damage
If your personal property has been damaged in an automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, or other negligent accident, you are entitled to reimbursement. Property damage may include electronics, vehicle repairs, clothing, and other items on your person.
Loss of Earning Capacity
If you’ve been seriously or permanently injured, you may be unable to return to the same career. In this case, you may be reimbursed for your loss of earning capacity. In other words, the defendant will be responsible for paying the difference between what you’re capable of earning now and what you would have been capable of earning had the accident not occurred.
Lost Wages
If you missed work for several days or weeks during your recovery, your lost wages may be reimbursed in your compensation award. You’ll need to present a pay stub to prove your current salary.
Long-Term Care
If your injuries are permanent and debilitating – meaning you’ll require lifelong care – the defendant may be required to compensate for some or all of your expenses. This includes medical equipment and professional assistance.
Past and Future Medical Bills
Assuming you can prove negligence in your personal injury lawsuit, you’ll be reimbursed for some or all of your past and future medical bills. Because it can be difficult to determine how much your medical care will cost in the future, you should never accept a settlement offer without speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Pain and Suffering
Unlike other factors used to build your total compensation request, pain and suffering are immeasurable. It may help to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings throughout your recovery. This will demonstrate to a jury what you’ve experienced emotionally, in addition to what you’ve experienced physically. In general, compensation for pain and suffering begins with the total cost of your medical bills.
Contact an Experienced Florida Injury Attorney for Representation
No one deserves to suffer from injuries incurred in an accident caused by someone else’s recklessness and negligence. In the state of Florida, you have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once this window closes, you can never receive compensation for your injuries. For this reason, speaking to an attorney is essential to your financial well-being.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a careless accident, contact our experienced Florida injury attorney team at Dennis A. Lopez & Associates by calling (877)-333-3676. Our team is dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.