“Pain and suffering” is a phrase commonly used within injury lawsuits. There is a legal definition which determines what is truly considered pain and suffering, and how a monetary settlement is calculated based on the nature and severity of personal injuries. Mingus Mountain Law Group, representing victims of car accidents in Flagstaff and Prescott, offers this explanation of pain and suffering for legal purposes.
Physical Pain and Suffering
A party who suffers an injury will experience physical pain and discomfort directly related to the injury itself. However, there are additional negative effects that relate to potential pain and limitations in the future as a result of the injury. Determining the amount of medical bills or lost wages is a matter of looking at the amounts incurred as a result of the injury. There is no book or chart available to determine the value of your physical pain and suffering. Instead, you should rely on the expertise of an injury lawyer who regularly represents victims of injury. This lawyer will rely on the experience associated with settlements and jury verdicts.
Emotional Suffering
After a physical injury, there are usually emotional after-effects. The party could suffer depression, anger, loss of enjoyment of life, fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions that are a result of the trauma from the injury. In severe cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur. The emotional distress sometimes continues long after the physical healing is complete.
Severe Injuries
The injury could be serious enough that the party is unable to return to work, meaning loss of potential income coupled with continuing medical bills. In such a case, medical payments would not be enough to compensate for the extreme loss that the person has suffered, and you would need the services of a personal injury attorney to ensure you are compensated appropriately.
Mingus Mountain Law Group specializes in representing car accident and personal injury victims in Prescott and Flagstaff, and will work diligently to see that you get the compensation you deserve. If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, don’t try to handle it yourself. Contact the experts at Mingus Mountain Law Group and let us go to work for you. Call us in Prescott at 928-775-9398 or in Flagstaff at 928-779-9304.
