Spinal cord injuries are devastating even under optimal circumstances. In many cases, the best a person can hope for is to re-learn how to breathe, walk, and move on their own. Following such an event, challenges such as diminished muscle tone and respiratory infections persist, and the cost of recovery is astronomical. Many of these cases settle, and various factors affect the value of such a settlement. A spinal cord injury attorney in Bowie, MD is a great source of information when determining how much a case is worth, but these general guidelines may help.
The Severity of the Injury
The nature of an injury plays a crucial role in the value of a settlement. A plaintiff suffering a life-threatening injury is more likely to get a large settlement when compared to a person who makes a spontaneous recovery. With severe injuries, eligibility for pain and suffering damages increases. However, a victim can also sue for lost income and earning potential, increasing the settlement’s potential value.
Medical Bills
One of the main purposes of a legal claim is to recover current and future out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, the value of a person’s expenses, both now and in the future, are a key part of the negotiation process. In many of these cases, medical bills make up most of a jury award or settlement, so higher bills increase the value of the case.
Evidence
The biggest benefit of settling a spinal cord injury case is that it helps avoid the cost and uncertainty of a trial. For this reason, strong evidence may motivate the other party to settle. If a victim has a significant amount of concrete evidence, the other party may be afraid of being penalized by the judge or jury.
The Plaintiff
As unfortunate and unfair as it may seem, the plaintiff’s character matters in a spinal cord injury claim. When deciding to settle, the other party will determine how sympathetic the court is toward the victim, how believable their testimony is, and how tragic the case seems. The more compelling the narrative provided by the spinal cord injury attorney in Bowie, MD, the more likely the case will settle for a higher amount. Find more information online or call the office today to schedule a consultation.
