Injured to the Point of Permanent Damage

cartwrightlaw - December 19, 2023 -

Learning that an injury may be permanent can be overwhelming and life-changing. You may be struggling with the physical and emotional toll of your injury, as well as the financial burden of medical expenses and lost wages. If your injury was sustained in an incident caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of others, you may be able to seek compensation.

At Cartwright Law Firm, we understand the devastating impact that permanent injuries can have on your quality of life and your ability to provide for yourself and your loved ones. Our experienced and dedicated Santa Rosa personal injury attorneys can help. Contact us today to learn more about how you can seek justice for your permanent injuries.

Permanency in Personal Injury Cases

A permanent injury can change the way you live, making it challenging to perform basic tasks or work. It can also reduce your earning capacity, disrupt your family life, and cause significant pain and suffering.

In a personal injury case, a permanent injury is one that you will never fully recover from or one that has lifelong implications. Examples of permanent injury include brain damage, scarring, paralysis, sensory loss, and amputation.

To claim a permanent injury in a personal injury case, a medical doctor must diagnose that the patient has reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and is left with residual symptoms of their injury. This means the patient could face significant lifestyle changes, ongoing medical care, and chronic pain. If you have a permanent injury, it is essential to seek the legal counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney who will advocate for your future needs.

Calculating the Damages of a Permanent Injury

Having permanent physical damage following a personal injury incident is an extremely important factor in negotiating the value of a settlement. When it comes to potential compensation, parties will consider the monetary value of all of the damages. In personal injury law, damages refer to the financial, physical, and emotional losses an injured party sustains from the incident.

In cases with a permanent injury, it is essential to consider the long-term implications and future damages rather than simply calculating outstanding medical bills. Calculating damages requires a thorough assessment of current and future economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are determined by the financial impact of the injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and future care costs. Future care costs are determined by anticipating the cost of medical treatments, surgeries, therapy, medication, and other necessary healthcare expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are calculated based on the emotional and psychological toll of the injury, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Factors such as the gravity of the injury, its impact on the victim’s quality of life, and the duration of the suffering are considered when quantifying non-economic damages.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been injured to the point of permanent damage by someone else’s careless actions, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Cartwright Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.