How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
A serious injury can affect every aspect of your life from your relationships to your career to your day-to-day wellbeing. Medical bills and lost wages can add up quickly, but the greatest cost of a severe injury is often the pain and suffering endured by victims and their families. The Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys at Englander Peebles understand the tremendous physical and psychological consequences of an unexpected injury, and we are dedicated to helping victims fight for the compensation they need to move on with life.
One of the most common questions we get from clients is, how much is my personal injury case worth? The answer to this question depends on the specifics of your case including the severity of your injuries, whether the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, and whether you suffered permanent scarring or disfigurement.
There are dozens of other factors that will affect the amount of compensation you recover. The South Florida accident lawyers at Englander Peebles can evaluate your case during a free consultation and identify the types of damages to pursue. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today at 954-500-4878.
Types Of Damages Recoverable In Florida Personal Injury Cases
There are two categories of damages available in Florida personal injury cases: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are further broken down into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are losses like medical bills, lost wages and vehicle repairs. Noneconomic damages are more subjective; they include emotional distress and pain and suffering. In the state of Florida, non-economic damages may be recoverable if the defendant’s wrongful actions result in:
- Death
- Permanent or significant loss of an essential bodily function
- Permanent or significant disfigurement or scarring
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than disfigurement or scarring
Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for, particularly egregious behavior. These damages are only recoverable in cases when the defendant acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
How To Calculate Pain And Suffering Damages
Calculating pain and suffering damages is extremely difficult. However, there are several methods that can be used in calculating pain and suffering damages. For example, depending on the situation, your attorney may decide the multiplier method or the per diem method.
The multiplier method involves multiplying the total economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5. To choose the multiplier, your Fort Lauderdale injury attorney will consider several factors including the severity of your injury, how long it will take for you to recover, and any long-term consequences of the injury. The per diem method involves assigning a dollar value to each day after the incident.
Contact A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney Today
Recovering fair compensation in any personal injury case is rarely straight forward especially if you intend to pursue compensation for pain and suffering or punitive damages. The Broward County injury attorneys at Englander Peebles know what it takes to find success in court, and we can help you navigate the claims process from start to finish. Call or contact us online today at 954-500-4878 to arrange a free consultation.