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You may be able to get a settlement if you have been injured in an accident and the other party was at fault. Keep in mind that the type and amount of settlement that you can get will depend on many factors. These include the bodily injuries and property damage that you sustained, and how you’re faring after the accident. Your physical condition before and during the accident will also be considered.
It’s time to present you with a glossary of terms to familiarize you. You need to know these terms since they define the different types of legal compensation that you may be entitled to in a personal injury case as the plaintiff. You should hire a good and experienced personal injury lawyer in Hamilton since he or she can explain your various options. The lawyer will also work with you to make sure that you get the best and biggest settlement possible.
Glossary of Terms
Future medical Expenses – you’re entitled to this if you need ongoing medical care and treatment because of your accident. You must have suffered from significant bodily injuries because of your accident. The jury and judge will decide the amount of your settlement based on tangible evidence. A good example is from your medical records.
General damages – some in the legal field refer to these as general damages. They try to measure the quality of life you would have had if you hadn’t been involved in the personal injury accident. It’s a broad category and includes pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages that aren’t easy to calculate mathematically.
Loss of Consortium – these cover any losses of the benefits of married life that you may be suffering from after your accident. They include affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society, help and assistance, among other things. Your spouse will make the claim (in almost all instances) that he or she will suffer from all of this and more while you’re recovering.
Lost Earning Capacity – you can collect these damages if you can prove that you’re no longer able to work the same way you could before your personal injury accident. The jury will factor in your health, age, occupation, life expectancy, talents, skill, experience, and training when determining if you’re entitled to it and what the amount should be.
Lost Wages – these compensate you for the money you have missed healing. They will help you pay for medical and other expenses that may be piling up while you’re recovering.
Medical Expenses – these include expenses and bills for medical services. Examples are hospital bills, doctor’s bills, nursing services, treatment in the emergency room, ambulance fees, and other services. You’ll need to provide evidence that these are related to your accident to receive them though. Insurance adjusters often use the complete medical expenses as a base for calculating your entire settlement. Just remember that medical exams aren’t included.
Pain and Suffering – you can get an award if you’ve been suffering emotionally from your accident. The jury will decide if you’re entitled to it. They will also decide how big that part of the settlement should be based on the nature of your injuries, how likely it is you’re going to be experiencing pain in the future, and how long you’ll be in pain. Some states will let the jury assume that you’ll experience at least some pain and suffering if you’re suffering from bodily injuries.