Proving The Cause, Extent, and Duration of A Neck Injury
Neck injuries associated with slip and fall or car accidents tend to range from minor sprains to fractures. The severity of your neck injury will influence the amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Injuries like fractured bones are often awarded larger settlements than soft tissue conditions like whiplash.
Medical Treatment Matters In Personal Injury Claims
Most insurance companies will offer a settlement based on the extent of your injury, its cause, and the type of treatment your condition requires. Neck injuries that require spinal fusion or surgery will necessitate more compensation than those that require a brace.
Injuries that demand ongoing treatment are also viewed by insurance companies as more critical and will likely lead to a greater settlement.
Determining Damages Associated With Neck Injuries
Determining the possible recovery process with any accuracy is difficult since a jury will decide how much compensation is owed by the defendant. Some damages like medical costs and lost wages are easier to predict than intangible considerations like pain.
Another consideration that factors into the value of your damages is determining how the neck injury affects your quality of life. For instance, if you are an avid musician but are no longer able to play your instrument because of your condition, the damages may be based on “loss of quality of life,” which will most likely lead to a larger settlement.
At the same time, if you have a pre-existing neck injury then your compensation or award will probably be reduced since the defendant’s actions were not completely responsible for your current condition. Since each personal injury claim is unique, only the most experienced attorneys can predict the type of compensation you will be possibly be awarded.
