Catastrophic motor vehicle accidents can cause severe, life-changing injuries. It is common to face long-term medical needs, lost income and reduced quality of life.
Calculating your future damages helps ensure that you receive compensation for the ongoing effects of your injuries. This process involves estimating future costs and considering how the injury impacts daily life.
Medical expenses and ongoing care
Future medical costs are a major part of catastrophic accident claims. These expenses include surgeries, physical therapy, medication and medical equipment. In cases where long-term care is necessary, the cost of home health aides or nursing facilities is a significant consideration. Medical experts often assess the severity of the injury and project future treatments based on the patient’s condition.
Lost earning capacity
Catastrophic injuries can limit a person’s ability to work. Some injuries prevent a return to their previous jobs, while others eliminate the ability to work entirely. In Pennsylvania, calculating lost earning capacity involves accounting for age, education, work history and the injury’s impact on future employment. These factors make it possible to estimate the wages and benefits the injured person would have earned if the accident had not occurred.
Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment
Future damages also include compensation for pain and suffering. Catastrophic injuries often cause chronic pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment in life. Courts in Pennsylvania consider the injury’s severity and how it affects one’s ability to participate in daily activities. This type of damage is more difficult to calculate because it does not have a fixed dollar value.
Accurately calculating future damages is essential to ensure that you receive the financial support you need. Before accepting an injury settlement, be sure your compensation fully covers your long-term losses.