What Qualifies as Pain and Suffering?

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in any type of accident that was the fault of someone else, you could be entitled to various types of compensation for your expenses, such as reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. However, suffering from significant injuries often accompanies both physical pain and emotional anguish. Individuals involved in a serious accident can suffer from chronic pain as well as significant psychological trauma. “Pain and suffering” in a personal injury lawsuit refers to any physical or emotional discomfort and anguish suffered by accident victims.

Compensation for pain and suffering are highly subjective and will depend on the severity of your injuries and losses. However, an experienced personal injury attorney can calculate pain and suffering as well as other non-economic damages so that you receive the compensation you deserve under the law. If you recently experienced pain and suffering resulting from injuries related to the negligence of an individual or company, contact the experienced attorneys at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law. for a complimentary case review with a member of our dedicated and compassionate team at (651) 259-1113.

Pain and Suffering in Personal Injury Claims

There can be a large variety of accidents that could potentially lead to a victim initiating a personal injury lawsuit. Some of the more common accidents that result in a victim having the ability to pursue compensation for pain and suffering include:

Car and Trucking Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most car and trucking accidents happen as a direct result of driver-related causes and negligence. If you suffered injuries and losses in an accident with an intoxicated, speeding, or negligent driver, you could receive compensation for the pain and suffering that resulted from your injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents

If you slip and fall due to a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property, you could receive compensation for economic as well as non-economic damages. Slip and fall accidents can occur in both private and public areas including restaurants, bars, shopping malls, apartment complexes, private homes, businesses, or even in government offices. While many conditions can potentially qualify as hazardous or dangerous, common problems can include slippery floors, cluttered walking surfaces, and inadequate lighting, among others.

Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice can happen when a doctor, nurse, surgeon, hospital, or other medical professional causes harm to a patient due to their failure to deliver the accepted standard of care according to the medical community.  Examples of medical malpractice can include misdiagnosis, wrong site or wrong patient surgery, anesthesia errors, early discharge, medication errors, and any time the negligence of a health care professional causes harm to a patient.

Physical Assaults and Attacks

If someone else deliberately hurt you, you could potentially recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. This is important to note because many victims believe they only have recourse through a criminal lawsuit. Additionally, depending on the level of security near where your assault occurred, you could also possibly have the legal right to file a claim against the property owner. Under premises liability law, a property owner has the responsibility to provide adequate security. These types of cases are extremely complex, and visiting with an experienced personal injury attorney at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law can ensure you get the justice you deserve.

Dog Bites and Attacks

Dog bites can potentially cause painful injuries as well as disfigurement. Victims of dog attacks may also suffer from considerable emotional and psychological trauma. You could potentially hold the dog owner responsible for all of your losses related to your injuries, including pain and suffering.

Types of Economic Damages You Could Receive

In a personal injury lawsuit, along with pain and suffering, you could also potentially receive compensation for any monetary losses. Economic damages, unlike non-economic damages, typically come with a dollar value and can be proven with receipts, pay-stubs, and statements. Economic damages can be easier to calculate and typically include medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and any other expenses connected to an accident.

Types of Non-Economic Damages You Could Receive

There can be a number of non-economic damages a victim may have the legal right to pursue in a personal injury claim.  Depending on your injuries and the circumstances of your accident, you could recover some or all of the following in addition to emotional and physical suffering:

  • Disability and disfigurement
  • Physical injury or impairment
  • Reduction in a victim’s quality of life
  • Loss of companionship in a wrongful death claim
  • Loss of career and future earning capacity

There could be other non-economic damages available as well given different circumstances. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today to help you understand more about your legal right to receive compensation.

Physical Pain and Suffering

Accident victims who suffered horrific injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence may have to face permanent consequences, for example, a disability, paralysis, or long-term mobility problems. Victims could also suffer from prolonged or chronic pain as a result of their injuries. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, chronic pain differs from acute pain in that it could potentially last for years. There are a variety of physical conditions that may qualify for compensation, including but not limited to:

  • Severe whiplash
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Neck and back pain
  • Internal injuries
  • Fractures
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Limb amputations
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Dislocations and sprains

Emotional and Psychological Distress

Individuals who were involved in a serious accident may also suffer from debilitating psychological trauma. Emotional anguish, similarly to chronic physical pain, may last for months or years. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), accidents can cause the following emotional effects in victims:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Anguish
  • Fearfulness
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares

Physical and emotional suffering can severely reduce a victim’s quality of life. In a personal injury lawsuit, individuals therefore may not only have the right to recover monetary damages from the at-fault party. They could also potentially receive compensation for pain and suffering, as well as other non-economic losses.

Tyroler Leonard Injury Law Can Help You Receive the Compensation You Deserve

If someone else’s negligence caused your pain and suffering, as well as your financial losses, they have the legal responsibility to make you whole again. Tyroler Leonard Injury Law can assess your case and determine your legal rights as well as explain all of your legal options. If you experienced any injury or losses after an accident resulting in pain and suffering, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation at (651) 259-1113.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]