When Can You Seek Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Ohio?

Many accident victims suffer from pain and suffering. Some experience their pain and suffering for a period of weeks or months, while others struggle with the effects of their injuries for years. If you have been seriously injured in an accident in Ohio, can you seek compensation for your pain and suffering? Our Columbus personal injury lawyers explain:

Common Accidents that Can Cause Pain and Suffering

In Ohio, the general rule is that accident victims are entitled to full compensation for their accident-related losses. If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to compensation for all of the financial and non-financial costs you endure. This is true for accidents such as:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Dog bites
• Slips and falls
• Work accidents (if you have a claim outside of workers’ compensation)

Proving Your Right to Pain and Suffering Compensation

If you have a claim for pain and suffering, you will need to prove both the severity and the duration of your pain and suffering in order to collect the compensation you deserve. The insurance companies are not going to pay voluntarily. It is up to you to convince the insurance companies that you are entitled to compensation, and it is also up to you to prove how much you are entitled to recover.

So, how do you prove your right to pain and suffering compensation? Some examples of the types of evidence our Columbus personal injury lawyers can use to prove your claim include:

• Your medical records
• Your records of the day-to-day impacts of your pain and suffering
• Photographs of your injuries
• Video or other documentation of how your life is different after the accident
• Testimony from medical and psychological experts
• Testimony from your friends and loved ones

Generally speaking, the more severe your pain and suffering, the more you are entitled to cover. The length of time you are likely to experience pain and suffering in the future is a crucial factor as well. Everyone’s situation is different, and calculating just compensation for your pain and suffering requires an intimate understanding of all of the ways your pain and suffering impact your life.  

Compensation for Pain and Suffering vs. Treatment for Pain and Suffering

In certain circumstances, accident victims won’t be able to collect compensation for their pain and suffering. For example, workers’ compensation does not cover employees’ non-financial losses. However, you may still be entitled to compensation for the costs of treating your pain and suffering. If you are in pain and unable to live your normal life, you should be able to secure coverage for the treatment and medications you need for your recovery. A lawyer can help make sure you receive these benefits, and your lawyer can also determine if you have a claim for pain and suffering damages outside of workers’ comp.

Talk to a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer for Free

If you’ve been injured in an accident and would like to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Malek & Malek Law Firm. To speak with an experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer in confidence, call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can reach you online now.