Permanent Nerve Damage: How Much Can You Expect in Terms of Compensation?
If you are fortunate enough, it could be the case that you make a full physical recovery after suffering injuries as a result of an accident. However, your accident could turn out to be a pivotal and even life-changing moment in your life, when you discover that your injuries have caused permanent damage.
In this sort of scenario, you need a legal professional with extensive knowledge of the scope of permanent damages and what your legal options might be in terms of getting adequate compensation to make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and career.
What sort of payout could you expect if you suffer permanent nerve damage, for instance?
Let’s take a look at this specific problem and cast some light on the sort of compensation you might be entitled to expect when being offered a settlement.
Every settlement negotiation will be different
As you would expect, the courts have certain guidelines and parameters to help them determine how much you might be entitled to in compensation for permanent nerve damage.
Although these guidelines serve as a starting point, settlements for nerve damage can vary considerably. This is because of the complex nature of nerve damage and how it can vary so greatly between individuals.
If you suffered minor nerve damage, for instance, you could be offered a settlement of anywhere up to $100,000. As you might expect, if the injuries are far more severe and you are having to contend with chronic pain and a level of disability, this will usually lead to a much higher value settlement.
The compensation offered is designed to be a reflection of the severity of your injuries and the level of debilitation it has caused to the way you will be able to lead your life, going forward.
The burden of proof
Another legal challenge that you will have to overcome when claiming compensation for permanent nerve damage is proving the extent of your injuries to the satisfaction of medical professionals and the legal system.
Physical damage that is visible is obviously easier to define and prove. But when you constantly have severe shooting pains running through your body, for instance, only you can feel that happening, and there is minimal physical proof of that happening, externally.
This is another compelling reason why you should always have a lawyer working on your case with the know-how to guide you through the process of proving the extent of your nerve damage so that you can get the right amount of compensation.
You will be asked to agree to a comprehensive physical and neurological exam as part of the claim process. The doctor will be looking for typical signs of nerve damage such as muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and signs of decreased coordination.
A critical element of this assessment process is a nerve conduction velocity test. Once you have been able to prove the extent of your nerve damage, and its severity, you will be able to start negotiating a settlement that accounts for the financial impact your injury has caused.
Your lawyer will be with you throughout this challenging journey to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
How much will you get? That answer hinges on all sorts of factors. As a general guide, settlements range from between around $100,000 to several million dollars.
The most important thing to remember if you suffer permanent nerve damage is to make sure you get the right legal representation to help you get the right amount of compensation you are entitled to.