Finding yourself involved in a personal injury can be a frightening experience, and it is crucial that you understand the rights that you have, and the compensation that you are entitled to – this is important to allow you to rebuild your life following an injury, and can go some way towards ensuring that you get the justice you deserve.
If you have been injured, read on to discover the damages that you could be entitled to, and the next steps that you need to take.
What Is A Personal Injury?
A personal injury is any damage or loss of health caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness or recklessness. There are a number of different types of personal injury, including:Â
- Accidents
Accidents such as car accidents, slip and falls and dog bites can all be counted as personal injuries, and victims can suffer life-changing consequences.
- Medical Negligence
Medical negligence is another major example of personal injuries, and this includes medical malpractice, which is when there has been negligent treatment from a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional.
- Wrongful Death
This occurs when someone dies due to another person’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. This type of claim is usually brought by the family of the deceased, but if they die without leaving a will, then their estate may also bring a wrongful death claim.
- Workers Compensation Claims
This covers claims for workers compensation, where employees are injured at work and are unable to perform their duties because of the injury. It is common for employers to cover these costs, so that employees do not have to worry about how they will pay for their recovery.
There are many more examples of personal injuries, but these are just a few of the most common ones.
What Damages Can Be Claimed For Personal Injury Cases?
Personal injury cases are very complex, and it is vital that you seek legal advice before making any decisions regarding what damages you might be able to claim. However, it is possible to make a general assessment of what damages you could be eligible for.
- Compensation for Pain And Suffering
Pain and suffering are two of the main elements of personal injury, and this refers to the physical pain and mental anguish experienced by people who have suffered an injury. The amount of money that you receive for pain and suffering depends on the severity of the injury, and the extent to which it has affected your daily life.
The level of compensation for pain and suffering varies depending on whether you were working at the time of the accident, and whether you were earning anything at the time. If you were working, and lost wages as a result of the injury, then you could also be compensated for the value of those lost earnings.
In addition, if you are still experiencing pain and suffering after receiving medical treatment, then you could be awarded additional compensation for ongoing pain and suffering.
- Damages for Loss Of Life Expectancy
Loss of life expectancy is one of the most serious aspects of personal injury, and it refers to the length of time that you are expected to live following an accident. In some cases, this can be measured using statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), while in others it is calculated based on the age of the victim and their current condition.
Loss of life expectancy is often used as part of a calculation to determine the total amount of compensation that should be paid out to victims of road accidents; if you have lost years of your life due to an injury caused by another person’s negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation for loss of life expectancy.
- Damages for Disability
Disability refers to being unable to carry out certain activities as a result of an injury. Some disabilities are temporary, while others are permanent.
You could be awarded compensation for disability if you suffer from a long-term illness, such as arthritis, back problems, or diabetes. In some cases, you could also be awarded damages for disability if you suffer a short-term injury, like broken bones or sprains.
- Damages for Lost Wages
Lost wages refer to any income that you would have earned had you not been injured. They include things like salary, bonuses, overtime payments, etc.
It is important to remember that lost wages only apply if you were actually employed at the time of the injury. If you were self-employed, or worked for yourself, then you will not be able to claim for lost wages.
- Damages for Medical Expenses
Medical expenses refer to all costs associated with treating your injury. This includes things like hospital bills, doctor visits, physiotherapy sessions, medication, and other treatments required to treat your injuries.
Medical expenses can be claimed even if they are covered by health insurance. However, you may need to pay a deductible before you can access these benefits.
Your Next Steps
If you have been the victim of a personal injury, you may be entitled to damages – but you will need experienced legal advice on your side. If you are planning on filing a personal injury claim in Houston, then make sure that you employ the services of an experienced attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
