We’ve all seen movies and television dramas where a plaintiff walks into a courtroom and walks out a millionaire. Maybe they were in a car accident or slipped and fell in a local grocery store. Their attorney tells them they’ll make the defendant pay and they do, quite handsomely. Even though the plaintiff only suffered whiplash, the credits roll with them sitting on a beach drinking a Mai Tai.
In reality, it doesn’t really work this way. It’s very rare for someone to get millions of dollars in a Delray Beach personal injury case. The thing you need to remember is that you can only recover damages for injuries you actually suffered.
For example, if you broke your arm, you’re only going to be entitled to damages related to your broken arm. You’ll get reimbursement for any medical bills. You can also demand compensation for the time you missed from work. You may even get a few dollars for pain and suffering. Overall, however, you aren’t going to walk away rich.
People think it’s their Florida personal injury lawyer’s job to make them rich. That’s not true. Their job is to make you whole and make sure the defendant is held accountable. You can’t get money for injuries you didn’t suffer. Yes, hiring a personal injury attorney is going to increase your chances of winning your case. They’ll also be able to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
But they can’t demand millions of dollars unless you were involved in a really serious accident. That’s why it’s a good idea to meet with a lawyer first and get an idea of what your case is worth. This way, you don’t have unrealistic expectations.
Who Is Entitled to Pain and Suffering in Florida?
Not all personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to pain and suffering. It really depends on the nature of your accident and the severity of your injuries. For example, if you suffered whiplash in a rear-end accident, chances are, you won’t receive pain and suffering. However, if you’re in a tractor-trailer accident and need 3-4 surgeries afterward, you probably will be entitled to pain and suffering.
These damages are intended to compensate plaintiffs for the physical and mental anguish caused by their accident. It isn’t something that is granted to all plaintiffs. Your Florida injury lawyer will have to specifically prove these damages. If they’re unable to do this, then you won’t get a dime.
How Does Your Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Pain and Suffering?
Your attorney will prove your pain and suffering the same way they’ll prove any other type of damages. They need to submit evidence that shows you experienced physical and mental anguish.
For example, maybe you have videos of how hard and painful your physical therapy sessions were. Or maybe you have documentation that you had to undergo several surgeries. All of these things will go a long way to prove your damages.
Some of the evidence that your attorney may submit include the following:
- Affidavits from friends and family that show you can no longer enjoy time with your family
- Reports from your doctors and psychiatrists showing that you’re being treated for pain management and depression
- Pictures of your injuries
- Medical documentation of all the treatment you had to undergo in order to recover from your injuries
Contact an Experienced Delray Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re hurt in any sort of accident, you may be entitled to damages. The only way to know for sure is to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Delray Beach, Florida. They can evaluate your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. They can also let you know if you don’t have a case at all.
Any lawyer worth their salt will be honest with you. The last thing they want to do is waste your time or their time.
That’s why you should call and talk to one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today. They can schedule a time for you to come in and meet. Or, if you’re unable to come into the office due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can arrange for you to do your consultation over the phone.
Our goal is to get you as much money as possible for your injuries. This may include damages for pain and suffering. The initial consultation is free and you don’t pay a dime until you settle your case.
