When people think about personal injuries, they may think about the physical damages that can inhibit the injured party. However, they may not realize these injuries can impact someone for years. Not only can injuries sustained in an accident result in pain and suffering, but they can also lead to the loss of enjoyment of life. If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about how these damages are determined and why you need the help of a Broward County personal injury attorney.
What Constitutes Loss of Enjoyment of Life?
Loss of enjoyment of life is a subset of pain and suffering damages. Generally, those who suffer the loss of enjoyment of life are unable to live a typical life. If you cannot participate in the activities you once did as a direct result of your injuries, you will likely qualify for these damages.
For example, if you are a college athlete injured by a drunk driver and left paralyzed, you may be unable to compete in your sport. As such, you will likely suffer due to the inability to play your sport. Similarly, if all of your friends are your teammates, you may also suffer socially, as you will be unable to spend the same amount of time with them as you did previously.
How Are Damages Calculated?
It’s important to understand that damages in personal injury cases are either economic or non-economic. Economic damages are quantifiable, as they are actual expenses that have accrued due to a personal injury. For example, someone may receive compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages. These are easily calculated as they reflect an established monetary value.
Non-economic damages are subjective and must be calculated by the courts. In Florida, the injury must meet a certain threshold. In addition to the severity of the injuries the plaintiff sustained, the courts will also consider how old they are and if there are any ongoing complications as a result of the accident.
Once an award is calculated, they are traditionally increased based on the severity of the injury. This is known as the multiplier method, as the damages are multiplied on a scale of 1-5. For example, if you are awarded $50,000 in damages, but the injuries you sustained are catastrophic, your attorney may argue that these damages should be multiplied by four. As such, you may end up receiving $200,000 in damages.
At the Finizio Law Group, we understand how devastating injuries can be, especially when caused by the negligence of another person. If you are injured and no longer able to do the things you once loved, you may be entitled to justice. Our dedicated legal team will work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
