The compensation awarded in a personal injury claim will depend on the severity of the injuries and the degree of fault, or how much the other party is responsible. To demonstrate how a personal injury lawsuit works, let’s say for example:
You are standing in a supermarket walking down the aisle, you reach up to the shelf for your favorite bread, and your feet come out from under you! You end up on the floor, in severe pain, and you find yourself soaking wet! When you look around, you notice that a broken bottle of shampoo is on the floor beside you, and you realize you slipped on the substance! You are taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken ankle, requiring a short stay in the hospital, minor surgery and six weeks in a cast and boot!
If you file a personal injury lawsuit in this scenario, and you are able to prove that the supermarket was negligent, you could get you compensation for:
Medical bills that resulted from the accident.
Any future medical bills caused by the accident. For example, the cost of additional surgeries, physical therapy, and medical devices.
Pain and suffering caused by the injuries.
Emotional duress and mental anguish: In some cases, physical trauma can cause non-physical injuries that will require therapy, such as PTSD or panic attacks.
Permanent handicap or injury: The accident left you with a permanent limp that makes walking painful and difficult.
Vehicle and household modifications: Suppose that, the damage to your leg requires you to be in a wheelchair for months. You may be compensated for the cost of the wheelchair lift that gets you into your vehicle and wheelchair ramps at your residence.
Scarring and disfigurement: The accident caused permanent scars due to the broken bones and road rash.
Lost wages: Since you are a construction worker, you were unable to work until you were able to walk again.
Reduced earning capacity: Suppose that, your injuries only allow you to keep working in your former profession in a limited role, such as four hours a day.
Loss of earning capacity or career: Imagine that, your injuries are so severe that you can no longer climb ladders or stand for extended periods of time, making it impossible to continue working at your former occupation.
Occupational therapy and retraining: You could be compensated for the cost of training needed for a profession you could work at while sitting down.
Wrongful death: Your family could sue for your future wages and benefits, your pain and suffering before you died, funeral and burial expenses, and more.
Hedonic damages or loss of joy of life. Suppose, you enjoy running marathons in your spare time, but the injuries to your leg will now leave you unable to ever run again. In such a case, you may be able to seek compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
