A personal injury can leave you with medical bills, lost earnings, and other intangible losses. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be eligible to recover any anticipated future losses related to your medical care and inability to work. These costs can leave individuals unable to pay their house payments, utility bills, and other day-to-day living expenses.
Nobody should be forced into financial hardship due to the negligence of another. At Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping individuals in Gettysburg, PA, pursue compensation, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery.
Should I Pursue a Claim if My Injuries are Minor?
Individuals who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of injury following an accident may wonder if they should seek medical treatment. Unfortunately, some symptoms may be delayed, only appearing hours or days following your accident or injury. That is why it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical care immediately. By undergoing a medical evaluation, you preserve your right to file a claim, as well as ensure that your condition is being treated appropriately. If you wait, you risk having the insurance company deny your claim.
Damages
The process of healing from an accident can leave you physically and emotionally drained. At Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe, we believe that your number one priority following a personal injury should be your health, not developing legal strategies. That is why our team is dedicated to advocating for the financial resources you need to allow you to heal fully.
In the law, losses resulting from a personal injury or accident are referred to as damages. Damages may be financial in nature or related to your emotional or mental hardship. However, Pennsylvania law only allows an accident victim two years to seek legal recourse. This time limit makes it essential that you contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Personal injury cases primarily involve two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are financial losses due to an accident or injury that take money directly out of a person’s pocketbook. In a personal injury case, economic damages often include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Emergency room care
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescription costs
- Rehabilitative treatments
- Home modifications
- Future medical expenses
In contrast, non-economic damages encompass intangible losses that an individual suffers due to an accident or personal injury. Non-economic damages impact a person’s quality of life but do not necessarily have a dollar amount attached. In a personal injury case, noneconomic damages often include:
- Pain and suffering
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Loss of companionship and society
- Damage to reputation
- Inconvenience
- Scarring and/or disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Advocacy During a Difficult Time
Sadly, insurance settlements rarely account for non-economic losses, meaning the accident victim may not receive what is justly owed to them. You deserve to be compensated fully for your financial, physical, and emotional suffering. Since noneconomic damages are not as easily quantifiable, you must discuss the entirety of these intangible losses with our personal injury lawyers.
Our personal injury team suggests that you wait until your condition has improved as much as possible before you agree to settle. This is known as reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI). By reaching MMI, you will understand to what degree your injury will impact your life, allowing you to negotiate both present and future damages better.
Contact Our Gettysburg Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Any injury that impacts your life should not be overlooked. At Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe, our team of legal professionals understands the profound impact that an accident or injury can have on a person’s professional life, as well as their relationships with family and friends. If you or a loved one has been affected by a personal injury, our firm is available to assist you in filing a claim. To arrange your no-cost consultation with one of our Gettysburg personal injury lawyers, feel free to contact us online or by phone at (717) 229-6580.