If you are wondering whether you should file a personal injury lawsuit for your slip and fall lawsuit, you are probably wondering how much money you stand to receive. It is a natural question. After all, you need to know whether filing a lawsuit is even worth your time. If you stand to receive only a few dollars, then why go through the trouble? A lawsuit can be a very stressful and time-consuming process – but it can also provide you with compensation for your injuries. For example, a plaintiff in New Jersey recently received $2.15 million for their slip and fall lawsuit. Once you understand how much money you stand to receive, it is easier to move forward with confidence. Let’s find out how your compensation will be calculated:
What Kind of Injuries Did You Suffer?
If you are wondering how much your case might be worth, the first question you need to ask yourself is simple: “How bad were your injuries?” The word “bad” is somewhat subjective. For instance, some people might see a sprained ankle as a bad injury. Others might say that a broken arm is a minor injury. The best way to figure out the severity of your injury is to look at the cost of treatment.
Check your medical bills and figure out how much you have been forced to pay as a result of your injuries. This should start to give you an idea of how much your injury is worth. Note that New Jersey has its own specific definition for what constitutes a “serious injury.” This is usually a serious loss of bodily function, an amputation, severe brain damage, spinal cord injury, or something of that nature.
Who are You Suing?
Many people forget that their ability to recover compensation depends partly on who they are suing. If you are suing the owner of a bankrupt business without a penny to their name, you are probably not going to win much in your lawsuit. However, your chances of receiving a suitable settlement go up if you are suing a multinational corporation with limitless funds. Of course, suing a multinational corporation is not exactly easy, either. You can bet that they will be hiring skilled defense lawyers – and this is yet another reason to hire an experienced attorney of your own. The point is that you need to sue someone who actually has the ability to pay.
How Much Work Did You Miss?
You should also ask yourself how much work you were forced to miss due to your injuries. You might have suffered an injury that put you out of commission for several weeks. Maybe you broke your leg, causing months of missed work. Perhaps you suffered a broken hip that has caused a permanent disability – preventing you from ever working again. Whatever the case may be, you should do your best to calculate your total missed wages. Add this number to your total medical expenses. This number should be getting very close to the sum of your total settlement.
Non-Economic Damages Explained
Last but not least, you need to consider your non-economic damages. These damages include emotional and psychological issues that have arisen due to your injuries. They might include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of purpose
- Disfigurement
But these damages are not really associated with specific dollar amounts. So, how do you get compensated for them? A common strategy is the “general damages multiplier” method. With this approach, you are assigned a number that represents your non-economic damages. This number is then multiplied by your total economic damages (medical expenses and missed wages) to determine the total settlement or award.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in New Jersey?
If you have been searching the New Jersey area for an experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs, including those who have experienced slips and falls–. We know how life-altering these injuries can be, and we are ready to guide you toward the compensation you deserve.
The truth is that it is virtually impossible to figure out how much your claim is worth through internet research alone. The best way to get a sense of your unique situation is to actually sit down and speak with a legal professional. During your first consultation with us, we will assess your unique situation and help you determine how much you stand to receive. From there, we can get you started with an action plan tailored to your unique situation.
The firm’s principals, Gabriel R. Lependorf and David E. Silverstein, have each been representing injured victims in the State of New Jersey for over thirty years.
Call Our Office At (609) 240-0040 Today for Help
