What is the Average Payout for a Head Injury in New York?
A bad headache could leave you unable to focus on important things like work or school. A really bad headache could leave you debilitated and unable to get out of bed. Some head injuries are so catastrophic that victims end up in comas or with permanent brain damage. When people begin filing a personal injury lawsuit for a head injury, one of the first things they want to know is how much their case is worth.
The average amount of money paid for head injury cases is difficult to pinpoint. Cases sometimes get payouts of a few thousand, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars. The value of your case will depend on the types of damages you claim. If you overlook certain damages when you first file your complaint, it may be difficult to go back and add them after the case has begun.
Talk to our New York personal injury attorneys if you suffered a head injury and now want to file a personal injury lawsuit. We can go over your case with you and figure out an accurate value for your head injury. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 to arrange a free, private legal consultation.
Payouts and Settlements for Head Injuries in New York
It is hard to say what the average payout is for head injuries in New York. There may be an average number out there somewhere, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. Various amounts of money have been awarded in previous cases, from very low to extremely high. An average sum of all these cases might not present a very accurate picture of what to expect in your case.
Some payouts are smaller and encompass only medical expenses. Other payouts are much larger and cover medical bills in addition to various other damages. A case with strong evidence against the defendant might lead to a larger payout or settlement. A weak or evenly matched case may take longer to resolve, and the final payout may be reduced as a result.
The size of your payout depends on the unique factors of your case, as discussed below. It also depends on the effectiveness and skill of your lawyer. A good Patchogue car accident lawyer can determine the value of your head injury and then fight to get you as much compensation as possible. To begin discussing your case, contact our Queens personal injury attorneys as soon as possible.
What Influences Damages for Head Injuries in New York?
The amount of money you can expect in a payout or settlement for a head injury after a car accident hinges on multiple elements in your unique case. An average number is not a good indicator of what you can personally expect because every case is different. However, plaintiffs have been awarded compensation as low as a few thousand dollars to as high as more than a million dollars. Consider the following conditions and circumstances to get an idea of how much money your head injury may be worth.
How the Injury Happened
We must take into consideration how the injury happened. Were you in a car accident? Was the accident a hit-and-run? Did the defendant intentionally cause your injury? The answers to these questions and others will significantly impact the potential payout from your case.
Frequently, the behavior of the defendant will influence the value of the case. Punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the plaintiff but to punish the defendant and deter future wrongdoing. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages that cover things like medical bills and lost wages. Together, punitive and compensatory damages can add up to a very significant sum.
When defendants act with extreme negligence or recklessness or show a wanton disregard for the lives and safety of others, punitive damages may be available. If a defendant’s actions were particularly egregious, punitive damages might be quite high. Talk to our Bronx personal injury lawyers about the possibility of punitive damages in your case.
Severity of the Head Injury
The severity of your head injury will have a direct impact on the possible payout or settlement. In short, the more serious your head injury, the more money you will likely receive. A more serious head injury usually means more expensive medical bills and greater economic damages. A serious head injury is also more likely to cause a plaintiff to miss work or lose their job. Lost wages and lost future wages both drive up the value of your damages.
There may also be long-term effects from a more serious head injury that must be compensated. For example, a head injury might cause recurring headaches or memory problems that interfere with a plaintiff’s daily life. Long-term complications from a more serious head injury will often lead to more medical bills and more compensation. If your head injury was especially severe, call our Long Island personal injury attorneys for help.
Plaintiff’s Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are part of your non-economic damages. These damages are more subjective and do not come with a fixed price or value like a bill. Instead, pain and suffering damages are based on the individual experiences of the plaintiff. If your head injury was extremely painful, you might be able to claim more damages for pain and suffering.
When considering damages for pain and suffering, you may include both physical and mental pain. Not only can physical injuries take a toll on your body, but the trauma from the accident may also take a serious emotional toll. Contact our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers about your case.
Call Our New York Head Injury Attorneys
If you suffered a head injury in an accident, you should be compensated by the responsible parties. Our New York head injury lawyers will fight to get you as much compensation as possible. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 to arrange a free, private legal consultation.