Regardless of the circumstances surrounding an accident, a permanent injury is always a possibility. As serious as this sounds, not even the most qualified medical professionals know if there will be permanent damage until after an extended period of treatment. In many cases, it takes a long time for the patient to feel completely normal again.
What Is a Permanent Injury?
A permanent injury is an injury that is lifelong. Injured victims may suffer pains or other symptoms from the injury for the rest of their life. They may also require ongoing medical care or procedures, as well as medications, to manage the permanent injury. A few types of permanent injuries might include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Dismemberment or permanent scarring
Even if the patient regains functionality and begins to feel better, there is oftentimes a permanent loss of function. For example, one arm may be stronger than the other. Or maybe your vision will be impaired for the rest of your life. Or maybe you find yourself walking with a limp. What does all this mean? Simply put, permanent injuries can and will factor into the value of a personal injury claim. Since you are likely to deal with the problem for the rest of your life, additional value is added to your claim.
Calculating the Value of a Personal Injury Claim
The value of a personal injury claim is the amount of damages to be compensated. This might include things like:
- Medical bills
- Property damages
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
A medical condition that is permanent is likely to qualify for pain and suffering. A victim who is forced to deal with permanent injuries will have to adjust their life. While it can be difficult to place a value on this type of change, it is an important cost to consider.
It is essential to hire an attorney who is familiar with the many factors of permanent injury. This ensures that the right details are addressed, allowing the claim to be as complete and accurate as possible. It also ensures that your personal injury claim is valued appropriately.
Get the Personal Injury Representation That You Need Following a Permanent Personal Injury
A permanent injury is nothing to take lightly. This is something that must be dealt with now as well as for the rest of your life. In the case of a permanent personal injury, due to the negligence of another party, receiving compensation is possible. While this compensation will not take away the pain and suffering that you have had to experience, it can help you deal with it.
For example, you may be able to renovate your house to better accommodate a mobility device or hire an in-home nurse to assist with caregiving tasks. Permanent injuries can also make it impossible to return to the same line of work or to enjoy the hobbies that you once did, and each of these things should be compensated. Sometimes, compensation can help you find a new normal. The right personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation that you deserve following a permanent injury.