You’ve been injured, perhaps in a car accident or on public property, and you know another party is responsible. You’re considering a lawsuit to seek the compensation you deserve.
But what costs and damages are you actually facing? It’s important not to overlook anything, especially if you accept a settlement offer that closes your case. To that end, let’s take a quick look at some potential reasons for compensation.
Medical bills
To start with, an injury often leads to thousands of dollars in immediate medical bills. This could include things like an ambulance ride to the hospital or receiving emergency treatment once you arrive. If you have to stay even a single night in the hospital, the potential costs increase substantially.
Future health needs
Additionally, consider what type of healthcare costs you may face in the future. Do you need to take medication? Will you need physical therapy or rehabilitation? Are you going to require in-home care, or do you have a disability? Compensation should go beyond your immediate costs.
Lost income
An injury may also mean that you lose income. Perhaps you were involved in an accident on your way home from work, and you’re going to miss a week of work while you recover. Those lost wages could be a reason for compensation.
But once again, you also want to think about the long-term costs. What if you can never return to work? What if your injury means your earning capacity has been diminished, significantly impacting your projected lifetime earnings? You may deserve compensation for these long-term changes, as well.
Seeking compensation
The process of seeking appropriate compensation from the other party can get complicated, so be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.