Back injuries are known for being painful and debilitating. Even minor back injuries can lead to many years of pain. If someone else is responsible for your back injury, you can take legal action against them to get fair compensation. If they offer a settlement, you should talk to a lawyer to determine if the settlement is a good one.
What constitutes a “good” settlement is difficult to define. Every case is different, and whether a settlement is good enough is entirely up to each plaintiff. Even so, when negotiating a settlement, you should understand how much your claims are worth and try to get a settlement that is close to that value. The severity of the injury, medical costs, your ability to work, and various other factors should help us determine whether a settlement offer is good enough to accept. If a settlement cannot be reached, you and your lawyer should prepare to take the case to court for a trial.
Get a free, confidential review of your case from our Austin, TX personal injury attorneys by calling Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110.
What is Considered a Good Settlement for a Back Injury in Austin, TX?
What may be deemed a “good settlement” varies from case to case and is ultimately up to the plaintiff. In back injury cases, settlements are often substantial, as back injuries frequently lead to long-term pain and complications.
Past and Future Economic Costs
A good back injury settlement should at least cover your current costs, like medical expenses, lost income from missing work, and property damage from the accident. Our San Marcos, TX personal injury attorneys should also work to include future costs related to the accident, like ongoing medical care, in the settlement.
Pain and Suffering
Your pain and suffering may also influence the settlement. A good settlement should account for these and other non-economic damages. Your attorney can help you negotiate the best settlement possible.
How Much is a Back Injury Case Worth?
How much your claims are worth largely depends on how bad your injury is, the cost of medical care, and how the injury affects other areas of your life. More severe injuries tend to be worth more compensation.
Mild to Moderate Injuries
Mild to moderate back injuries may come with serious pain and disrupt various aspects of your life. However, these kinds of injuries are more likely to heal, and you might face fewer future medical costs and other damages. As such, compensation may be lower, but it may still be substantial in the grand scheme of things.
Severe Injuries
Severe back injuries are often worth quite a lot of financial compensation. Victims often live with long-term or permanent complications and pain. Some people can never return to work and lose a lifetime of income. Others experience such traumatic injuries that they suffer spinal cord damage. They may be paralyzed or live with significantly limited mobility.
Important Factors to Consider in a Back Injury Settlement
When starting your back injury case, consider the following factors during settlement negotiations.
The Severity of the Back Injury
The severity of your back injury will heavily influence your settlement. More severe injuries require larger settlements for many reasons. Medical costs are higher, pain is more severe, and plaintiffs often incur greater economic losses across the board.
More severe back injuries are also more likely to cause medical complications that lead to more costs and pain, possibly for the foreseeable future and beyond.
Your Ability to Work
We must take your ability to work into consideration. Back injuries are very painful and may prevent you from returning to your job, especially if your job is physically demanding. The more income you lose, the greater the settlement should be. We should also think about your future job prospects. Back injuries can be very limiting, and there might be some fields of work that are no longer possible for you.
Long-Term Medical Complications
Back injuries are often medically complex. Numerous bones, muscles, and nerves could be involved in a back injury, and treatment may take a long time. Chronic pain is a real possibility, and some victims face a lifetime of pain and medical care. If this sounds like your situation, a good settlement should account for your future costs, pain, and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Injury Settlements
If you have suffered a back injury and want to take legal action, review some of these common questions to get an idea of what kind of claim you have.
What is a Good Back Injury Settlement Worth?
A good back injury settlement may vary from case to case, but it should at least cover your economic damages and account for some non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
How Do I Negotiate a Settlement for a Back Injury?
To negotiate a good back injury settlement, you should hire a lawyer and come prepared with evidence of your claims and damages. The stronger your evidence is, the more leverage you may have, and the better your settlement might be.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me Get a Good Back Injury Settlement?
While you are legally allowed to negotiate a settlement on your own, it is better to have a lawyer help you. Your attorney should have the skills, experience, and knowledge to effectively negotiate and get you a better settlement than you might get on your own.
Can I Sue for a Back Injury?
You may sue for a back injury if you believe someone else is responsible. Car accidents, workplace injuries, and slip and falls are common in back injury lawsuits.
How Long Does it Take to Negotiate a Settlement for a Back Injury?
Negotiations may take a long time if the parties cannot agree, or a very short time if they are more cooperative. Generally, in more complex cases with more intricate facts and evidence, it might take longer to reach a settlement. If a defendant is more keen to settle, negotiations might move faster.
What if a Settlement Offer for a Back Injury is Not Good Enough?
If you receive an insufficient settlement offer, you are free to reject it and return with a counteroffer. This is how negotiations often go, with each party making offers and counteroffers until an agreement is reached.
Get Legal Help from Our Austin, TX Personal Injury Attorneys
Get a free, confidential review of your case from our Georgetown, TX personal injury attorneys by calling Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110.