How to Quantify Loss of Quality of Life in Catastrophic Injury Cases
The consequences of a catastrophic injury are widespread. Most injury victims suffer physical damages and financial losses that compromise their quality of life. If another party caused the accident that resulted in catastrophic injuries, they should be held accountable for resulting damages, including the loss of quality of life.
It is impossible to put a price on someone’s health and well being, so how do you quantify loss of quality of life in catastrophic injury cases? Here, the catastrophic injury attorneys at Moody Law explain how they quantify loss of quality of life, so that their Lakeland, FL, and Winter Haven, FL, clients can be justly compensated for the full extent of injury damages.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Not all accidents result in catastrophic injuries. Many accidents cause short-term injuries that heal in a timely manner without causing any long lasting or lifelong consequences. However, there are accidents that cause injuries that permanently alter a person’s way of life, and their ability to perform day-to-day functions. These types of injuries are classified as catastrophic. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Traumatic spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Organ damage
- Burns or injuries that cause disfigurement
- Injuries that affect the senses (i.e. those that cause blindness or hearing loss)
How Do Catastrophic Injuries Compromise Quality of Life?
Catastrophic injuries can compromise quality of life in a number of ways for our Lakeland clients. Generally speaking, loss of quality of life refers to an inability to perform or participate in tasks or activities that gave a person joy prior to their injury. More specifically, the loss of quality of life may refer to an inability to:
- Interact socially with family or friends
- Participate in sports or hobbies
- Work or volunteer
- Bond with children or a spouse
- Drive
- Live independently
Calculating Loss of Quality of Life Damages
There is no set mathematical equation that allows the court to put a price on a person’s quality of life. However, there are certain factors that our catastrophic injury lawyers take into consideration when quantifying the loss of quality of life for our clients. It is important to consider:
- The injured person’s age (i.e. how much life do they have left to live)
- The degree of injuries
- The amount of physical and emotional pain caused by the injury
- Whether the injury has caused physical deformities
- The injured person’s educational and work background
- The future consequences of the injury
- The nature of the activities that have been lost
Taking all of the above factors into consideration, our attorneys rely on the testimony of economists and other related experts to put a value on loss of quality of life.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries that have compromised your ability to perform basic daily functions or enjoy other aspects of your life, you may be due damages for loss of quality of life. To find out how much you could be owed, send us a message online or call (863) 284-9090 and schedule a consultation with the personal injury attorneys at Moody Law.