What is Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Case?

When a person suffers physical and/or mental damage after an accident, the legal term “pain and suffering” is generally used to describe the injuries they have suffered. In settling a personal injury claim, any physical discomfort or emotional agony you have suffered due to the accident is considered “pain and suffering.”  A significant expense of these injuries is the impact on your physical well-being. Suppose the accident that caused your “pain and suffering” was the consequence of a third party’s irresponsible conduct. In that case, you may be able to claim compensation for all the difficulties you had to endure. This may also include injury, anxiety, fear, indignity, shame, embarrassment, and insult.

HOW IS PAIN AND SUFFERING PROVEN?

It is critical that you record any and all injuries that occur from the date of the accident. In some instances, individuals may not notice the symptoms of an accident until later. Injuries often lead to an urgent care appointment or a primary care physician visit within a day or two after the event. Serious victims are often directly moved to the hospital emergency room by ambulance or private car. 

Medical records and bills are created for every visit to a medical practitioner for checkups. Even though you are not required to take extensive notes when in the doctor’s office, it is still essential to know where you treat and when. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which became federal law in 1996, stipulates that doctors and other medical providers must maintain patient records and provide copies of such information to their patients upon request. Without medical documents, you will have difficulty proving the damage you have suffered, as well as the treatment that you have received. In order to make a personal injury claim, the records and invoices connected to these injuries are essential.

HIRE AN EXPERT PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

Pain and suffering needs to be taken into consideration when making any kind of personal injury claim. You should maintain excellent records of anyone or anything that may support your claim of pain and suffering. At Saladino & Schaaf in Kentucky, our personal injury lawyers are experienced in dealing with pain and suffering related injuries and compensation. Please give us a call at 270-444-0406 (Paducah) / 270-753-1529 (Murray) or email us to set up a free consultation right away.