What is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?

If you’re pursuing litigation after being harmed in an auto collision, a workplace accident, or after falling and getting hurt on another person’s property, you’re probably wondering “What is my personal injury case worth?” How much compensation can you recover from a defendant accused of causing you to suffer physical, emotional and financial damages?

Any honest personal injury attorney will explain that attaching an exact figure to your claim is next to impossible without a thorough examination of all evidence and circumstances surrounding your injuries. Even then, your legal counsel can only estimate an approximate value of your case, which can be optimized or reduced depending on various elements.

Calculating the total amount of “damages” incurred is an important task for your legal advocate. Besides tangible expenses such as hospital stays, surgery and medication, how do you put a number on things like emotional distress, pain and suffering? What if you suffered catastrophic harm that left you paralyzed, blind, or permanently disabled in some other way?

How much is your personal injury claim worth?

In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party (plaintiff) seeks monetary damages to account for all consequences of the accident from the person or entity found liable (defendant – or their insurance company). A damage award may be handed down by a jury or judge at trial, or it may be negotiated between both parties out of court.

As seasoned personal injury lawyers in Rockland County, our clients often ask us the worth of their case early in the legal process. The first step in evaluating the monetary value of your claim is assessing the types of compensation available.

Claimants can sue for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical expenses and treatments
• Anticipated medical care needs
• Lost wages due to inability to work
• Reduced earning capacity
• Permanent or partial physical disability, pain or disfigurement
• Emotional damages, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or burdens on familial relationships
• Loss of quality or enjoyment of life, if the injury interferes with physical activities, hobbies, social activities
• Loss of consortium
• Property damage

Factors that affect injury compensation awards

Factors that can influence the amount of personal injury settlements include:

• Severity and permanency of the injury – when plaintiffs suffer severe, life-changing injuries (brain damage, broken hips, loss of limb, paralysis) that require ongoing medical treatment, lifestyle changes and/or result in permanent disability
• Length of recovery period
• Daily life disruptions
• Emotional anguish arising from the injury
• Amount of medical expenses incurred and anticipated
• Gaps in medical treatment
• Treatment provided by non-M.D. providers
• Strength of expert testimony

Personal injury representation in NY and New Jersey

The law firm of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has successfully represented personal injury victims in New York and New Jersey for more than three decades. Our track record of settlements, verdicts and recoveries speaks for itself.

If you live in Bergen or Rockland Counties, and would like to schedule a free case review, please call today.

Additional “Personal Injury Case Value” Resources

1. National Research Legal Group, New Jersey Statute of Limitations http://www.nlrg.com/hs-fs/hub/79400/file-15662842-pdf/docs/nj_statutes_of_limitations.pdf/documents_attorney_writing_samples/nj_statutes_of_limitations.pdf
2. American Bar, Personal Injury Claims http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/injury_settle.html