What Is Injury Compensation?

Injury compensation is a sum of money given to injured workers in order to compensate them for their injuries resulting from accidents at work. These losses can include medical expenses, lost wages, injury lawsuits and future income, as well as loss of enjoyment of life-changing injuries.

The money can be obtained in two ways: through a settlement or filing a lawsuit. A lawyer can look over the case and inform you which option is right for you.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment is a major component of your injury claim. The insurance company will cover the necessary and reasonable medical treatment. This includes medical bills for health professionals and specialists. The insurance company will reimburse you for prescription and over-the-counter medicines and transportation costs to and from medical appointments.

Based on the severity of your injuries, you may require assistive aids such as canes, wheelchairs or special clothing. You can also claim costs for home improvements such as ramps and stair lifts. Medical costs include diagnostic tests to diagnose your injuries and evaluate your recovery. You may also claim the cost of any surgery required to treat your injury. The workers' compensation board sets out medical treatment guidelines for doctors to follow. These guidelines permit your health care provider to perform the majority of your treatment without first asking the insurer for authorization.

Following the advice of your doctor can be a great help in your case. If the defendant or insurance company sees that you've been skipping appointments or playing tennis on weekends, despite your claims of injuries, they will argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. If you're regularly visiting healthcare professionals and receiving massive medical care, they may have to admit that your injuries were serious.

Lost Wages

Injuries aren't just physically painful but can be financially damaging too. The costs associated with treatment can quickly mount up, and injured victims also have to deal with lost wages while recovering from their injuries. If your injury has caused you to be absent from work, you could be entitled to compensation for the time you've missed.

Proving lost wages is a tense process that requires specific evidence. In addition to medical explanations, it's important to leverage copies of your previous pay stubs and tax documents. These documents can be used by your attorney to show the total amount of lost earnings due to your injury.

Your lost wages may include your normal hourly earnings or salary, the possibility of overtime bonuses, commissions and more. They can also include any benefits that you're not receiving anymore, such as free meals, car allowances, or health benefits.

You can also claim compensation for the days that you did not work due to your Injury Lawsuits since you needed to take sick or vacation leave to cover the days. Your lawyer can estimate the fair market value of these days, and demand reimbursement from those accountable. If the injury is lasting, your lawyer can also pursue compensation for future earnings. This is a far more complicated process and involves hiring a forensic accountant or an actuary to prove the loss of your future earnings potential.

Medical expenses

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be faced with high medical costs that put a strain on your financial health. Injuries that are serious can also hinder you from earning money and working for a significant amount of time. This can cause an economic burden on you and your family members.

You have the right to receive compensation for all medical expenses including ambulance rides doctors' visits and xrays, hospital treatment, medication, supplies and orthopedic devices. Additionally, you are entitled to reimbursement for transportation costs to and from medical appointments (including therapy). Keep receipts of any medical expenses. You will be reimbursed based on actual expenses.

For negotiating purposes lawyers and insurance companies typically use your invoiced amounts as the basis to calculate medical special damages. Then, they multiply that amount by a factor of 1.5 to 5 to calculate your general damages. In general, minor injuries fall in the lower part of the spectrum, while serious or long-lasting ones are at the upper end.

The Kocian Law Group is skilled in ensuring that you receive all medical-related compensation which you are entitled. We will fight to force insurers to cover the entire amount of treatment that your doctor recommends -- even if the insurance company disputes the necessity or reasonableness of the treatment.

Pain and Suffering

The victim of an injury is entitled to compensated for the emotional and physical suffering and pain caused by their injuries. Physical suffering and pain damages could include past and future medical treatment. Mental anguish and discomfort as well as shock, shame, and sadness are also taken into consideration.

It is difficult to put a value on the pain and distress of an accident, particularly when it is a result of permanent injuries, such as being in the wheelchair or blinded. It is essential that accident victims receive the support of an attorney who can gather adequate evidence to prove their loss.

In certain situations, the injured party will reach a settlement without the need to go to trial. In most instances, an insurance company is involved in the settlement agreement. The insurance company could employ a multiplier or per diem method to calculate the pain and suffering damages.

The courts use both the multiplier method and the per diem method to determine compensation for physical and emotional pain suffered in accidents. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, however the final amount will be determined by the jury. An attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can help accident victims gather evidence to prove their claim. Adam S. Kutner & Associates' attorneys can help you with the investigation of your case and help you prepare the case for court or settlement.