After an accident, when the noise has faded and the physical injuries have been taken care of, a silent battle often rages on within the hearts and minds of those injured. It is a private struggle where the echoes of the event replay in relentless loops, and the world seems irrevocably altered. This internal turmoil is the emotional impact of personal injuries – a facet of harm that is as real as any broken bone.
At Collins Law, we understand that emotional distress can play a significant role in the aftermath of an accident, and Attorney April Collins will take emotional distress into consideration when calculating your total damages. But how are these damages calculated? Let’s discuss the impact of emotional distress after an accident and the methods that a personal injury attorney in Birmingham can use to calculate their worth.
Legal Validation of Emotional Impact of Personal Injuries
For many, the emotional toll of an injury overshadows physical pain. Sleepless nights, anxiety in places that once felt safe, and the strain on personal relationships are but a few symptoms of emotional impact of personal injuries. These injuries are invisible, often unrecognized by others, yet they carry a weight that can press down with an unbearable heaviness.
While the path to validating emotional suffering in a court of law is complex, it’s a journey that must be undertaken for true healing. The legal system has begun to turn a more sympathetic eye towards these claims, understanding that the measure of an injury’s impact cannot be limited to what can be seen or easily quantified.
Attorneys and courts alike acknowledge that to support a client’s full return to wholeness, emotional distress must be addressed with as much urgency and seriousness as physical injuries.
Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages in Alabama Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury attorneys in Birmingham employ two primary methods to determine the monetary value of pain and suffering in personal injury claims. Attorney April Collins will review your case and determine which will work best for your situation.
The Multiplier Method: This is the more commonly used method to estimate pain and suffering following a personal injury in Alabama. It begins with calculating the total economic losses and then applying a ‘multiplier’—generally ranging from 1.5 to 5. This figure is influenced by the severity and longevity of the injuries, such as severe, multiple, or permanent injuries, the likelihood of ongoing medical care, and injuries that show no improvement over time. The seriousness of the injury often dictates a higher multiplier.
The Per Diem Method: ‘Per diem,’ translating to ‘per day’ from Latin, is the second method where a daily monetary value is assigned to the individual’s suffering. Attorney April Collins will assess the duration of pain and suffering from the date of maximum medical recovery to the present, using your daily earnings as a basis to approximate the daily rate for pain and suffering compensation.
These methods can be complex, and disputes often arise when insurance companies dismiss these standard approaches in favor of their unique calculations. This underscores the importance of having an experienced personal injury attorney in Birmingham to navigate these intricacies and advocate for fair compensation.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Birmingham
Collins Law serves as a compass, guiding you through the complexities of legal claims while recognizing the importance of your emotional recovery. As your personal injury attorney in Birmingham, Attorney April Collins has the privilege and responsibility to advocate for your well-being. When you work with our law firm, your story matters, your pain is acknowledged, and your emotional scars are given a voice in the quest for justice.
Whether you seek solace in the quiet understanding of a legal team that cares or the expertise to navigate the tumultuous waters of the emotional impact of personal injuries, know that Collins Law is ready to stand by you. With every step towards emotional and physical healing, we are here, supporting you in pursuing a future where justice isn’t just a concept but a lived experience.