There are multiple damage types that you can pursue in a personal injury claim. Wages that have already been lost as well as those you expect to lose can be included, and so, too, can your incurred and expected medical expenses. While these categories can cover a significant portion of your losses, you can’t forget about damages that are non-economic in nature. This includes pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfiguration and lost enjoyment of life. Putting a figure on these non-economic damages can be tough, but you may be able to recover a significant sum for them if you’re diligent in building your case.
Of course, the defendant and the jury aren’t simply going to fork over the money that you’re requesting. You’re going to need compelling evidence that demonstrates the true extent of the harm caused to you. But how can you prove your losses when they’re non-economic in nature?
Tips for proving pain and suffering and lost enjoyment of life in your personal injury case
There are several ways to approach non-economic damages in your case. Here are some tips to ensure you’re presenting a robust case that positions you for the outcome that you want:
- Keep a journal: It can be difficult to recall every little instance where your accident injuries have prevented you from living and enjoying your normal life. This is where a journal can prove helpful. Here, you can make quick notes when you experience limitations on account of your injuries, detailing the date, the context and how the situation made you feel. These entries can serve as powerful evidence of the true impact your injuries have had on your ability to live the life that you once loved.
- Find witnesses: The jury may not simply take you at word. Therefore, it’s helpful to have other witnesses who can speak to how you’ve changed following your accident. This helps demonstrate your mental condition and your ability to live your normal pre-accident life. The jury may put a lot of stock in this witness testimony, too, since they may see it as more unbiased.
- Present expert testimony: You might need a medical professional to testify to the nature and severity of your physical injuries, but an expert may also help you explain how your injuries create pain, suffering, mental anguish and lost enjoyment of life. A mental health expert, for example, can speak to any conditions that you’ve develop as a result of your accident while speaking to how the symptoms of that condition can pervade your daily living, thereby reducing your quality of life.
- Showing photo and video evidence: Verbal testimony can only do so much. But if you have photos or videos that show how severe your injuries are or that highlight how they prevent you from living a normal life, then a jury may be more likely to buy into that evidence and give you what you’re requesting.
Fight in your personal injury case for every bit of compensation that you deserve
You have a lot at stake in your personal injury case. If you don’t zealously fight for the outcome that you deserve, then you may end up losing out on much needed compensation. This could stymie your recovery and leave you living a life that was unfairly thrust upon you. If you’re ready to learn more about what you can do to gather evidence and present a persuasive case, then now is the time to read up on the personal injury process and wrap yourself in any support that you may need along the way.
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