Calculating Personal Injury Claims

If you have been injured by the actions of another person or by the malfunction of a machine or product and are reading this, you want to know what compensation you are entitled to. Assuming that you can prove that another person or business is liable for your injuries, there are two parts to calculating personal injury claims.

First, you have to determine what are the personal injury claims that you have. There are several classifications under which a personal injury claim will fall:

- Actual Damages. These are the actual "out of pocket" costs or losses that you incur and include medical bills, loss of income, etc.

- Specific Injuries. These are injuries to specific body parts such as a broken arm.

- Pain and Suffering. This covers the pain that you endure and the temporary inability to do certain activities.

- Future Claims. This covers all areas to which you should be compensated in the future such as future medical bills, permanent disability, etc.

Second, after you determine what personal injury claims you have, you need to place a value on each claim.

With actual damages, the evaluation is easy because it is the amount that you have paid, the cost that you are required to pay, or the amount of money that you actually lost. And you must have actually incurred the cost or loss. For example, if you have a friend or family member who is a doctor or nurse and he/she treats you, but does not charge you for the treatment, then you do not have a claim for the cost of the treatment. If your friend or family member does charge you for the treatment, then you do have a personal injury claim for the cost of the treatment.

With specific injuries and pain and suffering, you need to estimate the value. What is it worth to suffer a broken arm? What is it worth to be so sore that you cannot get out of bed? There is not a set, "chiseled in stone" amount or value for these injuries. And the value of the injury will actually vary from person to person. A broken right arm is worth more to a right handed person that to a left handed person.

With future claims, you will also need to estimate the value. Some future claims are easier to estimate than others. It is relatively easy to determine approximately how much income you will lose in the future, whereas, it is difficult to determine the value of future pain and suffering and future medical bills.

This is general information only. If you have any questions about personal injury, talk with a lawyer licensed in your state.

Stop! Wouldn't you like to know what personal injury claims you have and what it takes to be compensated for your injuries? Get more information here on Personal Injury. And click here for more insights on Four Facts You Must Prove To Win Your Personal Injury Case.

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