When you have been injured in a personal injury case, you may expect the at-fault party to compensate you for your damages, including medical expenses, lost pay during recovery, or pain and suffering. Before you can establish liability and recover damages, however, you need to have a general idea of what your case is worth. Furthermore, you need to provide evidence that the accident led to your damages.
This is why clients often turn to a law firm for help. A personal injury attorney in Birmingham, AL, can investigate the accident, gather evidence of fault and liability, and represent you when submitting your claim to the insurance company is time. They can explore the case details to determine the extent of your losses.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can claim as a loss in a personal injury case below.
Types of Compensation in a Personal Injury Case
Common compensatory damages in a personal injury case include:
Medical Expenses
Whether you have been involved in an auto accident or slipped and fell while on someone’s property, an accident can cause a variety of injuries with the potential to leave you permanently disabled or disfigured. As a result, you may incur high medical expenses such as:
- ER Visits.
- ICU or surgical procedures.
- Medical devices.
- Hospital or recovery room stay.
- Pain medicine or other prescriptions.
- Follow-up visits to the doctor.
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy.
These expenses can add up to a high debt you must pay out of pocket. You can account for these expenses when you submit a personal injury claim to the insurance company.
Lost Wages or Benefits
Whether you are drawing a salary or receiving an hourly wage, your employer may suspend your pay while recovering from your accident. In some cases, they may also temporarily suspend your benefits.
Without an income, you may struggle to support yourself or your family. If you are disabled or disfigured, you may lose your future earning capacity.
Your employer may submit evidence of lost wages caused by the accident. You may be eligible to claim lost pay and receive compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Furthermore, your employer may also be able to verify lost opportunities for vacation time, overtime, or lost sick pay due to your injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering typically include the severe physical discomfort or emotional/mental distress you experienced during recovery. Depending on your medical condition, you may be able to claim past, present, and future pain and suffering.
Your lawyer may also explore other forms of pain and suffering, such as loss of consortium (intimacy, companionship), loss of joy in life, or a significant decrease in the quality of your life.
This can be especially valuable in cases where the victim is permanently disabled. If the accident significantly altered the victim’s life, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the loss.
Wrongful Death
In a wrongful death case, your family has suffered an irreversible loss that affects several areas of your home life. Both economic and non-economic damages will take a heavy toll over several years. You may be able to claim damages such as:
- Loss of family income.
- Loss of benefits or retirement.
- Loss of spousal and parental care.
- Medical and funeral expenses.
- Mental and emotional anguish.
- Pain and suffering of the victim before death.
What your case is worth depends on the nature of the accident, who was involved, and the extent of your damages. A personal injury attorney in Birmingham, AL, can help you determine the value of your losses and negotiate a fair settlement to receive the maximum compensation for your losses.
Get Legal Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer in Birmingham, AL
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident and needs legal representation, contact Collins Law. We provide comprehensive legal services for accident victims in Birmingham, AL.
To find out more about your options, call us at 205-588-1411. We are here to help you get the maximum compensation for your damage.