How Is Compensation Determined During a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated when it comes to determining exactly how much compensation you deserve. Insurance companies have their own formulas to decide how much to pay you, but they don't make these formulas known and they're often highly subjective. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney in Northridge. Here are the main factors that will be taken into account when preparing your personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Medical Expenses

Your medical expenses relating to your injury will be the basis for determining your compensation. Not only does this include your initial doctor's visit or hospital stay, it also includes ongoing expenses like any medications or physical therapy prescribed by your doctor.

Loss of Work

The person or company responsible for your injury should also cover any wages you lose because of your injury. If you're permanently disabled and therefore unable to return to your old job, you should receive much higher compensation to help you start a new career or help pay your bills if you're unable to return to work at all.

Recovery Period

Some injuries take months or years to heal, while others may heal in a few weeks. The longer your recovery period, the more compensation you can expect. This is especially true if you may need invasive procedures like surgeries.

Pain and Suffering

While it's relatively easy to figure out how much money it will cost to pay for your medical bills and missed work, it can be harder to put an exact figure on how much pain and suffering you undergo because of your injury. This is where your lawyer and expert witnesses will be critical in making sure you receive the compensation you're due. Your doctor's testimony or reports will be especially important, as he or she is in the best position to describe the extent of your injuries.

In general, injuries to sensitive areas like the head or back will receive more compensation than soft tissue injuries which produce less long-term pain and suffering.

Emotional Distress

Like pain and suffering, emotional distress is difficult to accurately measure and will be subject to debate. Talk to your personal injury attorney in Northridge to come up with ways to prove emotional distress caused by your injury. For example, keep a record of anxiety attacks or loss of sleep caused by your injury. You can also keep a record of how depression or pain have lessened your ability to take part in normal daily activities or important family events.

For more information and details on how to manage Personal injury lawsuits, visit a personal injury attorney in Northridge today!