How Do You Calculate the Settlement Value of an Injury Case?

After a car crash or other serious injury, one of the first questions people ask is, “How much is my injury case worth?” The answer depends on several factors. But understanding how the value is calculated can help you feel more prepared when dealing with insurance companies. There are three main types of damages in a Louisiana injury case:

• Special damages: These are actual costs like medical bills, lost wages, and future care needs. If you missed four weeks of work and earn $1,000 a week, that’s $4,000 in lost wages. If your injuries lower your future income, that counts too.
• General damages: These include pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These don’t come with a receipt, so lawyers often use formulas to estimate their value, like multiplying your special damages or using a per-day rate for your suffering.
• Punitive damages: These are rare and usually apply only in extreme cases like drunk driving.

Other factors that affect settlement value include:

• The severity of your injuries
• If you need surgery or long-term care
• Clear evidence of who was at fault
• How much insurance coverage is available
• Your credibility and whether you follow your doctor’s advice

The Louisiana personal injury attorneys at LJBLegal know how to calculate every dollar you’re owed, gather the right evidence, and push back when insurers try to lowball your claim. Most injury victims recover more with a lawyer than without one. If you’ve been hurt, don’t guess. Get answers that help you move forward.