The most personal element of an injured person’s experience is the amount of physical pain and suffering which he or she must endure. Each individual’s tolerance for pain is different, which makes the quantification of suffering problematic. But certain factors can be measured accurately to document one’s discomfort level.
For example, an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to collect information from the medical practitioners involved in the case regarding the amount of medication the injured person required, the types and length of treatments necessary, and the duration of the recovery period. In addition, the injured person’s spouse and/or nearest friends and relatives will be interviewed to ascertain the extent of change to the victim’s quality of life by comparing his or her condition and normal activities prior to and after the accident. It is an integral part of a victim’s case that any enjoyment of life that has been reduced due to an accident be brought forward and supported by witness testimony and evidence.
A person who suffers a more severe and painful injury that causes long-term or even permanent impairment will clearly have a more valuable claim in a personal injury case than an individual whose injuries are not as extensive. If the injury is indeed permanently disabling, experienced counsel will seek out expert testimony to support the victim’s claim and help determine the most suitable value of damages to be sought.
