Nobody likes having to experience an accident. This can be a very tumultuous and taxing experience, especially if your injury is life-changing or permanent. Thankfully, as an American, you have a set of rights designed to protect you in these instances.
If you have suffered a serious injury at the expense of somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to a sum of financial compensation. How this sum is calculated depends on several factors, however, here are four of the different expenses that you can claim in a personal injury case.
1. Medical Bills
The main bill that is always claimed in personal injury cases is the one relating to medical expenses. This includes things such as physician bills, ambulance transport costs, emergency room costs, hospital bills, surgery, and even in-home care.
Furthermore, future medical expenses can also be accounted for with the help of a life care planning expert and a lawyer. Similarly, any medical equipment that you might need can also be written off as an expense. For example, you can be compensated for your wheelchair or for home renovations if you need to make it accessible for wheelchairs.
2. Time Spent Off of Work
Another important expense in personal injury claims includes the time you have spent off work due to the accident. If you have lost your wages due and your capacity to earn money during your recovery, you are entitled to ask for this money.
Similarly, if you have suffered a serious life-changing accident that will impair you from recovering future wages, you can also receive compensatory damages. Keep a record of timesheets and pay stubs for this expense.
3. Therapy
With most accidents comes a fair share of therapy. Make sure to include records of all physiotherapy appointments, as this can be covered as an expense in your injury claim or settlement.
Many accidents are traumatic for the victims. If you have suffered from any mental illness or psychological conditions as a result of your accident, you can also include counseling or therapy sessions as an expense. Your travel to and from appointments and lodging costs can also be compensated.
4. Lifestyle Changes
This is the most difficult expense to calculate in a personal injury case because it involves non-monetary losses that vary greatly between victims. This is why it’s advisable that you speak to a personal injury lawyer who can help you throughout the process.
Typically, these lifestyle changes will involve emotional damages such as compensation for pain, anguish, anger, and even a loss of enjoyment concerning your new life. Other aspects like loss of comfort, sexual relations, and companionship also apply.
At the end of the day, no amount of money can make up for the amount of pain and stress the accident caused, but at least your financial troubles can be accounted for. Accidents can be very expensive and there is no reason why you should pay for yours if you weren’t to blame.