Always in the case of personal injury lawsuits, a claim is made to state the damages caused by the defendant onto the plaintiff. Though claims can often seem like random monetary values to an outsider, there is a process to the calculating of personal injury claims in Missouri.
What is Your Claim Worth?
Under Missouri law, the person who caused the injury is responsible for the following:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Time lost from work, which includes any time spent visiting the doctor to therapist
- Property damage, such as to a vehicle
- The cost of hiring household help to do the work while you can’t
- Any permanent disability or disfigurement
- Any emotional distress that you may have, which can include depression, anxiety, and interference with family relationships
- Changes in future earnings due to the injury
- Any other costs that are direct results of the injury
In Missouri, there is a $350,000 cap on damages for any personal suffering, either emotional, social, or psychological. There is, however, no cap on economic damages, so lost wages and medical expenses are fully covered.
Speaking with Your Attorney
In most Missouri personal injury cases, you have five years to file a lawsuit. It is important to work with your lawyer during that time so reach an agreement with involved insurance companies or defendants. After five years, the statute of limitations runs out. Also, make sure to ask any and all questions, that is what your lawyer is for, and they always have your best interests in mind.
There are several parties involved in personal injury lawsuits, from the plaintiff to the defendant to the insurance company to the lawyers. Just make sure you know who is responsible for what, and who is on your side.
