If you have been seriously injured in a Hartford, CT accident case or if a loved one has suffered a wrongful death in a Hartford, Connecticut car accident case then one of the probing questions that you will want answered is what is the case worth. This is one of the most important questions that injured parties, or the families of deceased victims, will want to have answered when they come in for the initial consultation. The answer in almost every instance is that there is not enough information available at this initial conference to properly evaluate the case and make an intelligent determination as to its value.
Determining the value of any CT car accident case, slip and fall case, dog bite injury, premises liability case, pedestrian accident case, underinsured or uninsured motorist case, child injury case, or medical malpractice case is both an art and a science. The science is in determining the value of a claim by making sure that all of the necessary facts and figures are gathered and put together in a comprehensive package that answers any questions that an insurance adjuster might have. The art of the process lies in being able to effectively present this information in a persuasive manner that will convince the adjuster as to the significant value of the injured parties case.
It should be emphasized that no case should be settled until such time as the injured party has reached maximum medical improvement or that point in time when their medical condition can no longer improve and their situation is stationary and permanent. If an injured party’s medical condition is subject to change then settlement discussions should not be started. The only exception to this situation occurs when there is not enough insurance to adequately compensate the individual for the damages suffered to date and there is no hope of recovering any other funds.
In determining the value of a personal injury, wrongful death, or medical malpractice case there will have to be a thorough investigation as to the liability of the third party. After that determination has been made then the damages must be analyzed. Basically there are two types of damages recoverable in a negligence action. Those damages are referred to as economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are intended to cover the injured party for expenditures for which an exact dollar amount can be calculated. By way of example, these could include the following: medical expenses both past and future; lost wages both past and future; the cost of past and future special services; the cost of any vocational or other training that might be necessary to retrain or otherwise assist the injured party; and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenditures.
Noneconomic damages are intended to cover injuries for which an exact dollar amount cannot be calculated. Examples of non-economic damages could include the following: pain; suffering; loss of life’s enjoyment; emotional distress; loss of companionship by a loved one; emotional bystander distress; scars; and permanent injuries. To further complicate matters, the value of an injured party’s case can also be influenced by a great number of other factors and/or considerations. By way of example, these could include some of the following considerations: the age of both the injured party and the at fault party; the likable qualities of both the injured party and the at fault party; the available insurance limits; any risk that there may be a verdict in excess of the available coverage; the chance of the injured party being award punitive damages; the strengths of the injured party’s case; the claimed lien amounts; the sex of the injured party; the extent of any pre-existing injuries; and the nature and extent of any scarring or deformity.
Our Connecticut accident attorneys and injury lawyers are quite experienced in these areas of the law. We have written 12 books. We have published hundreds of articles. Our attorneys are nationally recognized for their achievements. Our attorneys have been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards. We have produced over 100 educational videos. We have the knowledge, training and experience needed for your accident or injury case. Visit us online at www.HCWLAW.com and download a free copy of our accident and injury book. Call our toll-free number at 842-8466 and speak with one of our Connecticut accident attorneys or injury lawyers. Get your questions answered either over the telephone or during our free in office consultation. You can even tell us about your case online and we will get back in touch with you. There are a great number of very important issues that need to be investigated, discussed and explained to you. Do not wait until it is too late. Contact us today. We are here to help you.