Skip to main content How much is my case worth?
When you’re considering whether to pursue a personal injury claim, it’s not uncommon to wonder how much your case is potentially worth. After all, before you go through a lengthy legal process, you want to make sure that it’s not a waste of your time.
Your case’s value depends on several factors, including the extent of your injuries and the costs you’ve incurred from the accident. Accidents involving minor injuries are typically worth less than those with severe injuries.
A personal injury attorney can evaluate your case’s circumstances and determine its potential value. To schedule a free case evaluation, use the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website to find out how much your claim may be worth.
What Types of Compensation Am I Eligible for?
Monetary damages in a personal injury case fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages involve easily measurable costs directly associated with your accident. They include things like medical expenses, lost wages, and household expenditures.
Any past and future medical costs arising from the accident are considered economic damages. Examples of medical expenses include:
- ER visits
- Ambulance services
- X-rays and CT scans
- Physician visits
- Prescriptions
- Supportive devices like wheelchairs or slings
Your personal injury attorney will evaluate your past medical costs using the invoices you provide. Your treating doctor can estimate expected future medical expenses related to the accident.
If you’re unable to work, you may collect the cost of your lost wages. For instance, if a spinal injury leaves you bedridden for several months, your attorney will calculate all of the money you lost because of your injuries. You’re eligible for lost wages even if you used accrued sick leave and vacation time to collect regular pay.
Severe personal injuries may impact your ability to work in your usual position for the foreseeable future. If so, your attorney will determine the appropriate damages for lost future earnings.
In some cases, plaintiffs incur damage to their property. If your case involves property damage, your personal injury attorney will calculate the cost to repair or replace your property and include it in your damages.
Sometimes, people need outside help for household activities while recovering from their injuries. For instance, they may hire a maid service to clean their home weekly. If personal injury victims have small children, they require a sitter. Individuals who seek help with household chores can claim these expenses as economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages aren’t easily measurable. However, many people who suffer from severe personal injuries claim them. Non-economic damages include:
- Mental pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
If the personal injury claim involves wrongful death, survivors may request damages for loss of companionship, consortium, or parental guidance.
A personal injury attorney at Morgan and Morgan can examine your case to determine the appropriate amount of non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Only a judge or jury can award punitive damages. Claims that resolve through settlement are not eligible.
A court only awards punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly heinous. Punitive damages punish the defendant and discourage others from acting similarly.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many people wonder whether their case will go to trial or result in a settlement. Studies show that 96% of personal injury claims lead to a settlement; they don’t go to trial.
However, sometimes defendants are unwilling to offer a fair settlement to plaintiffs. If a defendant or their insurance agency refuses to give you adequate compensation for your injuries, Morgan & Morgan will take them to court.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim?
If you’re dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and household costs you can’t afford, you’ll likely want to settle as quickly as possible. Most cases that resolve through the settlement process take four to six months to complete.
If your case goes to trial, it may take longer. The trial timeline depends on the court’s availability and other factors like the need for expert witness testimony. A trial can take a year or longer to finish.
A personal injury attorney can advise you on the timeline to complete your case and whether they believe a trial will be necessary.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
The value of your legal claim depends on the severity of your injuries and expenses incurred since your accident. A personal injury attorney at Morgan and Morgan can evaluate your case to determine its approximate worth. Once we value your claim, we’ll select the appropriate legal strategy to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer From an Insurance Agency?
It’s best not to accept a settlement offer from an insurance agency without speaking to a lawyer. Frequently, insurance providers seek to minimize their losses by offering small settlements.
Individuals who accept modest compensation from an insurance company lose their right to future claims, even if they incur high costs for subsequent medical treatment.
Speak With an Attorney At Morgan & Morgan
The attorneys at Morgan and Morgan will determine the value of your case and whether a legal claim is necessary to get the money you are due for your injuries.
Use our contact form today to schedule your complimentary case evaluation. We’ll make sure that you have skilled attorneys ready to take on your lawsuit and fight for your rights.
