Whether it’s an automobile or plane crash, a boating disaster, or a slip and fall, suffering from injuries is expensive. Medical bills quickly add up and become overwhelming. Lost wages only make matters worse by creating stress and complications. Compensation for pain and suffering may be helpful but can be difficult to understand.
PAIN AND SUFFERING
Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost income, and property damages are easy to quantify because they are monetary losses. Dollar values for pain or suffering due to a personal injury are more difficult to measure. How can any amount of money compensate you for the pain you experienced? Pain and suffering are non-economic damages. They are not easy to calculate, but that does not mean you have not suffered. Alaskan law provides reasonable compensation for pain, suffering and disability, just as it does for medical bills.
HOW ARE DAMAGES CALCULATED?
There are a couple of common methods to calculate pain and suffering damages:
One method is to use a “per diem” or daily rate. An amount is calculated for one day of suffering, the rate is often in relation to daily earnings. The daily amount is then multiplied by the number of days, normally reaching a ballpark estimate of pain and suffering claim.
Another common method is to calculate damages for pain and suffering in relation to the amount of economic damages (medical costs, lost wages, etc.). Some people suggest non-economic claims should be approximately three times economic claims. This approximation method is generally considered a very rough estimate.
In either case, whether calculating the daily rate or the factor, the process can become very contentious. Hence, it is in your best interest to have a personal injury attorney in Alaska represent you for serious injuries.
PROOF OF PAIN
Those experiencing injuries need to have evidence of pain and suffering. Doctor’s reports can be an important element. When discussing medical issues with your doctor, make sure you are very clear about pain you experience. A doctor’s report that validates your suffering can be a crucial piece of evidence.
Bottom line, claim valuation is more art than science. A personal injury attorney evaluates hundreds of factors for each claim. There are many factors that help determine the amount of damages one can recover for injuries.
To ensure you receive the full amount of restitution for your pain, suffering, lost wages, and medical bills, contact the Alaskan personal injury attorneys at Merdes Law Office, P.C. 866.452.3741 or visit www.Merdes.com for more helpful information. Merdes Law Office has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 25 years. And while we hope you never need us … We’re are here if you do.
