How Much Is My Case Worth?

Before hiring an attorney, the first question injured people ask is, “How much is my case worth?” Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. Every legal claim is different. Even accidents that appear quite similar can have different outcomes, and a good Pennsylvania personal injury attorney will never guarantee a favorable result – or the amount of money you could receive – for your legal claim. 

Call the personal injury attorneys at the Scranton law firm of Munley, Munley & Cartwright at 877-421-9173 or contact us online for a free consultation. We understand the complexities of Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws and can calculate potential damages to help cover the cost of medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering.

Our firm represents clients throughout Pennsylvania and has offices in Scranton, Carbondale, Plains, Stroudsburg, Hazleton and Hamlin.

Damages in Pennsylvania Injury Claims

A serious accident can have a devastating effect on a family’s wellbeing. Some injuries may require some rest and a couple of days off work, but others – such as traumatic brain injuries, back and spinal injuries, birth injuries and other catastrophic injuries – can have life-changing consequences. Astronomical medical bills, combined with lost earnings and new expenses that families may have to budget for (such as long-term nursing care) can upset the entire balance of the household, not to mention emptying its pockets.

To be awarded damages in a Pennsylvania personal injury claim, you must prove that the defendant in the case is guilty of negligence. That means that you – the plaintiff – must provide evidence to the court that the person or other responsible party behaved in a way that caused your injuries.

Pennsylvania allows injured victims to obtain economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those expenses that can be quantified monetarily, such as:

• Past, current and future medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Lost earning capacity;
• Rehabilitation;
• Property damage;
• Cost of doctor’s appointments and physical therapy;
• Cost to pay someone to perform routine tasks that you could not do while you were hurt;
• Other out-of-pocket expenses.

Non-economic damages are not as easily calculated. These are the damages awarded for pain and suffering, such as:

• Physical pain;
• Emotional anguish;
• Stress;
• Embarrassment;
• Loss of enjoyment of activities you could do before the accident or can’t do anymore;
• Loss of companionship;
• Other intangible injuries.

The amount of your damages will be determined in large part by factors such as the seriousness of your injury, what part of the body was affected, what the long-term damage will be and how much medical care you required or may require in the future.

Another factor that may impact your damages is whether you had any medical conditions prior to sustaining the injuries in the accident. Defense lawyers and insurance companies will argue that your injuries were pre-existing conditions that they shouldn’t be responsible for.  An experienced attorney will know how to collect the necessary medical records and expert testimony necessary to present in court or during settlement negotiations – all of which can help you secure the maximum amount of compensation possible as you look towards the future.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Now

If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries in a Pennsylvania accident, it’s important to speak with a personal injury attorney who can give you a realistic idea of what your case is worth. Call Munley, Munley & Cartwright at 877-421-9173 or contact us online for a free consultation.