If someone hurts you through bad or irresponsible actions, the law is plain and simple: You should be justly compensated. Unfortunately, recovering payment from a bad or irresponsible actor is not easy and often requires legal action. At Nonni Homola, our Tallahassee personal injury lawyers are experienced, aggressive, and successful in their pursuit of justice for personal injury victims. Our attorneys can be the same for you. Send us an online message or call (850) 601-1111 today for a free consultation.
A good question to ask when seeking justice in a personal injury case is, How much is my case worth? What you can expect to recover financially depends on many factors. Let’s take a look below at the factors that can affect the value of your personal injury case and what you can expect.
Your Right to Legal Damages
You must first understand your legal rights when asking, How much is my case worth?
Under Florida law, there are three types of damages you can recover in a personal injury lawsuit:
- Economic,
- Noneconomic, and
- Punitive.
Each kind of damages requires a different kind of proof. An experienced attorney is best suited to prove your right to each kind of damage and to maximize your recovery.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are your injury-related financial losses.
These losses can include:
- Medical expenses,
- Property repair,
- Property replacement,
- Wage loss,
- Loss of earning ability, and
- Other out-of-pocket costs.
When proving your right to this kind of damages, your medical records, receipts, invoices, contracts, estimates, and employment records are very helpful.
If a defendant approaches you with a settlement amount early, be careful. Settlement forecloses your ability to request more compensation in the future, and your economic damages include your past, present, and future expenses. Some injuries can take years to heal and have significant effects on your ability to earn money. It is best to reflect and speak to an attorney before attempting to settle your case.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages compensate you for your pain and suffering. We know a dollar amount cannot fully represent your pain. However, noneconomic damages are an important factor when you want to know, How much is my injury claim worth?
When proving noneconomic damages, keeping detailed notes about how your life has changed can take you a long way. Take your notes to an experienced attorney and discuss how your injury has affected you. A seasoned attorney knows how to take the details you give them and turn those details into just compensation.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are the hardest to prove, but if you’re entitled to them, they are a crucial part of your case.
Victims in personal injury cases can recover punitive damages if they can prove that the defendant’s actions were the result of:
- Gross negligence, or
- Intentional misconduct.
You must prove either one of these by “clear and convincing evidence.” This is a higher standard of proof than proof needed for other types of damages.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?
The financial compensation you can expect from your claim depends on the details of your case.
The following factors can have a significant impact on the compensation you receive:
- The severity of your injury,
- Your wages before injury,
- Your wages after injury,
- The extent of your property damage,
- The level of defendant misconduct,
- Your quality of life before injury, and
- Your quality of life after injury.
Some cases involving minor injuries are worth thousands, while other cases involving catastrophic injuries or death are worth millions. The best way to find out the value of your case is to speak to an attorney.
We Have Answers for You
Before moving forward with a civil case, it is good to ask, How much is my claim worth? And Nonni Homola can give you answers. Our top-rated attorneys have more than 40 years of experience and have recovered millions for personal injury victims. Give yourself the best chance for legal success by giving us a call at (850) 601-1111 or contacting us online. We offer free consultations.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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