Calculating Damages
When a person is injured by another's negligence, they will be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Calculating past damages is not based on a formula and is not straight forward. Calculating future damages can seem near-impossible. This is just part of how a personal injury attorney can help you.
Calculating Economic Damages
Economic damages are damages that directly cost you money. These can include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
Calculating future economic damages requires evaluating the long-term impact on earned wages and future medical needs and generally requires the use of an expert doctor, expert life care planner, and expert vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Calculating Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are damages that don't directly cost you money, but impact your life in other ways. These can include:
- Pain & suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
While this sounds straightforward, it can actually be difficult to calculate and most insurance companies care little about the impact on your life. This is why it can be beneficial to have experienced counsel on your side to make the insurance company understand. Before settling your claim, speak with a Portland Oregon Personal Injury Attorney who can advise if a given offer is fair or if it is too low.
Understanding Future Medical Bills
People sometimes neglect the fact that there may be treatment needed down the road for injuries suffered. If a person has back pain, for instance, they may have been able to manage it with conservative treatment. But if surgery may be needed someday, the settlement you receive needs to cover it. People may fail to calculate those bills, which can have serious consequences when they need more treatment later in life.
There is nothing more frustrating for a Portland Oregon Personal Injury Attorney than to learn that a person has settled for significantly less than they should have. We have heard form people that simply didn't think about calculating future damages. It is heartbreaking to tell someone that a lawyer can’t help them. Once a case has been settled and a release has been signed, it likely cannot be reopened. You only have one chance to get an amount that is fair.
With so much riding on your injury claim, you need an experienced, aggressive lawyer in your corner. A Portland Oregon Personal Injury Attorney at Johnson Law will fight to get you the money you need. This way, you can be sure you are getting an amount that is fair and will adequately compensate you for your injuries. We use our experience to maximize your recovery. Compensation for future damages is vital. Insurance companies often take advantage of people in this situation. We will fight for you. Don't miss a deadline and contact Johnson Law right away. Personal injury consultations are free!
