Whether you have been injured in a car accident, slip-and-fall, or some other kind of incident, it’s normal to wonder what to expect from your case, including its value. Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how much an individual case is worth, an experienced personal injury lawyer can draw upon past experience and skill to provide a very general estimate of various types of damages.
A variety of factors determine the value of a personal injury case, including the nature of the injury, the victim’s age and projected quality of life, any anticipated future health care costs, past and future lost wages, and any psychological trauma. Generally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assign a figure to each of these factors to get as close as possible to a final value.
Pecuniary Damages
Pecuniary damages include compensation for losses that can generally be easily calculated because they can be measured and quantified. Some obvious examples of pecuniary damages include past and future lost wages, as well as past and future medical bills and therapy costs.
Non-Pecuniary General Damages
Non-pecuniary general damages represent compensation for the injuries that an innocent accident victim has suffered, and are frequently referred to as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. In Canada, non-pecuniary damages were capped by the Supreme Court of Canada some years ago at $300,000 for the worst of all injuries. Today, that figure has risen due to inflation to approximately $340,000. Typically, the highest level of non-pecuniary general damages are only awarded in the most catastrophic cases, such as injuries that involve paralysis and traumatic brain injury.
One of the most important first steps after an accident is meeting with a personal injury lawyer to determine the amount of compensation you need to be made whole. An experienced lawyer can give you a good idea of the true value of your case, so you can focus on your recovery.
Lomax Law Firm
Rein Lomax has helped the injured and their families all across Ontario for nearly two decades. Contact Lomax Law Firm today at (519) 488-9378 for a complimentary consultation regarding your legal matter.
This website has been prepared by Lomax Law Firm for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.