If you or a loved one was exposed to carbon monoxide and suffered harm, one of the first things you might want to know is whether or not you have a legal case. This will be dependent on a number of factors, particularly whether liability or negligence was involved. If so, and a good lawyer should be able to tell you if this is true for your matter, your next question may be regarding the worth, or value, of your carbon monoxide cases in Pennsylvania.
Realistically, it is not possible to tell you what your case is worth without knowing the details. Furthermore, to give you a number or value of your case’s worth, would not be very ethical – in terms of legal standards. If you have spoken to any lawyer who promised your case was worth “X” amount, you might want to reconsider your choice and talk with a different lawyer.
Factors That May Determine the Worth of Your Case
When you are the victim of a personal injury, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, there are many different elements of damages that may be recovered. These include:
Economic Damages: Medical care, future treatment, medication, therapy, rehabilitation, home modifications, lost wages, loss of income, and other direct financial losses.
Non Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and more.
In some Pennsylvania carbon monoxide cases, punitive damages may also be available. These damages are awarded to victims as a means of punishing the liable party. For example, in North Carolina, a hotel failed to ventilate their heated pool system. This resulted in a carbon monoxide leak in one of the nearby rooms. In the course of 2 years, 3 people, including a young boy, died from the exposure. A judge awarded punitive damages to the victims’ families.
Depending on the state you are in, if your case goes to trial, you may be awarded legal damages. These damages are given to cover all or some of your legal expenses. It should be noted that personal injury lawyers handle 99% of case on contingency which means you won’t pay anything, unless you win.
The overall value of these damages tend to be determined by cases of a similar nature and also case law. Your lawyer might review other Pennsylvania carbon monoxide poisoning cases, with similar injuries, to determine an amount that is fair and just. It should be noted that if you are being offered a settlement by an insurance company (i.e. homeowners insurance or business insurance), there may be a capped amount on your claim. This means you cannot recover any more than the amount of the policy. There may be exceptions and alternative options which is why it is important to talk with a carbon monoxide lawyer.
The Extent of Your Injuries
The severity of your injuries will likely have an impact on the value of your Pennsylvania carbon monoxide case. In general, the more severe the injuries are, the more you can recover. For example, permanent brain damage or death may enable the claimants to receive more money than someone who suffered temporary harm.
To get a free case review, call a personal injury lawyer from Wieand Law Firm today.
