What Qualifies as Pain and Suffering in an Illinois Personal Injury Claim?

 Posted on June 30,2021 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you have been seriously injured in an accident, you understand how much it can affect all areas of your life. Your most immediate concern is likely your health, or even your very survival, as well as your ability to cover the costs of your care. However, over time, your concern may shift to the ways in which your injuries continue to affect your daily life, happiness, and well-being. You should know that if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you are not only entitled to compensation for the financial costs, but also these ongoing effects, which are often referred to as pain and suffering.

Examples of Pain and Suffering

In a personal injury claim, pain and suffering damages cover a variety of negative effects that do not necessarily have a tangible financial cost, but nonetheless impair your quality of life. Some examples include:

• Physical pain - The costs of medical treatment for pain management will be included in the economic damages you can pursue, but you may be entitled to additional compensation for the non-financial impact of your chronic pain.
• Mental anguish - Your mental health can also suffer due to the effects of your injuries, especially if you are in constant pain, or if your injuries have limited your physical abilities or altered your appearance.
• Interference with daily tasks - Severe injuries can make it difficult or impossible for you to perform even simple tasks, like caring for yourself and your home on your own.
• Loss of enjoyment - Your injuries may prevent you from doing many things that you used to enjoy, including exercising, traveling, and engaging in other recreational activities.
• Loss of companionship or consortium - Many injury victims have supportive family members and friends, but unfortunately, the physical and mental effects of an injury can often make it difficult to maintain quality relationships in the way that you used to.

Securing Compensation for Pain and Suffering

Because pain and suffering damages do not have an easily defined monetary value, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can help you understand the compensation you may be entitled to based on your personal situation and other similar cases. Your lawyer can work with you to prepare evidence and testimony that demonstrates the full extent of your pain and suffering, including statements from your doctors, in-home care providers, friends, and family. Compelling evidence of this nature can help you secure greater compensation in a settlement or trial.

Contact a Lake County Personal Injury Lawyer

At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we understand how difficult it can be to cope with the changes that your injuries bring, and we want to help you recover just compensation. Our compassionate attorneys will give you the personal attention you need to ensure that we are thorough in the pursuit of compensation for all of the economic and personal effects of your injuries. Contact our office today at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation with a Waukegan, IL personal injury attorney.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K2-1115.2