When you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, pursuing compensation is not just about the expenses and hardships you’re facing today. Many accident victims who sustained serious injuries will continue to accrue expenses over time as they recover. At The Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers in Philadelphia, we are dedicated to making sure that our clients have the best chance at receiving full compensation for not only their current losses but also their future damages.
Future damages are an important component of many personal injury cases. They represent the ongoing and long-term consequences of an injury, including future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, lost future income, and diminished quality of life. Because the stakes are so high, understanding future damages and properly calculating them is an important part of securing the financial stability you need to move forward.
What Are Future Damages?
In a personal injury case, “damages” refer to the financial compensation awarded to help victims recover financially and physically. While current damages cover the costs and losses you have already incurred, future damages address the impact of your injuries down the road, which is especially important if you have sustained injuries with lifelong consequences. Future damages can include:
- Future Medical Expenses – Costs for ongoing treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
- Future Pain and Suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma that will persist into the future.
- Loss of Future Earnings and Lost Earning Capacity – Lost wages and diminished ability to work and earn a living.
- Future Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Impacts on your ability to participate in hobbies, activities, and the lifestyle you previously enjoyed.
At The Pearce Law Firm, we understand that future damages are often the largest portion of a personal injury award, especially for catastrophic injuries that result in long-term disability.
Future Pain and Suffering
Future pain and suffering is one of the most challenging damages to quantify in personal injury cases. Unlike medical bills, there is no set dollar amount that can be assigned for the agony, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life that an injured person will experience. Future pain and suffering can include:
- Chronic physical pain
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Ongoing emotional and psychological issues, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life’s pleasures
When we represent clients in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we work with expert witnesses, such as doctors, therapists, and life care planners, to demonstrate the severity and permanence of future pain and suffering caused by your injuries sustained in the accident.
How Are Future Damages Calculated?
Calculating future damages requires a sophisticated understanding of both the medical and economic aspects of your case and state law. Some of the factors we consider when calculating future damages include:
- Medical expert opinions regarding the prognosis of your injuries
- The anticipated need for future surgeries, rehabilitation, or long-term care
- Testimony from occupational experts about your work abilities
- Economic projections about inflation and the cost of future medical care
- Your age, occupation, health before the accident, and life expectancy
At The Pearce Law Firm, we are meticulous when building strong, evidence-based claims for future damages. Our goal is to make sure no dollar is left on the table, because once your case is resolved, you cannot go back and ask for more compensation.
Why Are Future Damages So Important in Personal Injury Cases?
Future damages are particularly important because the effects of a serious injury don’t end when you leave the hospital after initially being treated. They can continue for years or even a lifetime. Without proper compensation for future damages, you may be left struggling to pay for medical care, unable to support your family, and living with unacknowledged suffering.
Insurance companies often try to minimize future damages, offering settlements that only cover current bills and leaving injured individuals vulnerable as they continue to face financial hardships from their injuries into the future. That’s why it’s important to have experienced personal injury lawyers on your side who know how to properly calculate, document, and fight for full future damages. At The Pearce Law Firm, we will not let insurance companies downplay your injuries or shortchange your future.
Proving Future Damages in Court
If your case goes to trial, proving future damages will involve providing detailed evidence and expert testimony. We may present:
- Medical records and testimony explaining the permanent nature of your injuries
- Life care plans outlining the medical treatments and costs you will require
- Occupational expert testimony about how your ability to work has been impacted
- Testimony from mental health professionals about ongoing psychological impacts
- Economic reports projecting the future costs adjusted for inflation
We create a compelling and complete picture of how your accident injuries will affect you for the rest of your life, making sure the insurance company or jury understands the full extent of your future damages.
Common Types of Cases Involving Future Damages
Future damages often arise in cases involving serious, life-altering injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Permanent disfigurement
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Psychological trauma (PTSD)
Whether you were injured in a car accident, a slip and fall, a workplace accident, or another traumatic event that caused serious injury, The Pearce Law Firm has the experience and resources to pursue full compensation for your future damages.
How The Pearce Law Firm Can Help
At The Pearce Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for the long-term well-being of each of our clients. Led by Edith Pearce, our award-winning team of personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia will:
- Thoroughly investigate and document your injuries
- Retain top medical, vocational, and economic experts
- Calculate a fair value for your current, past, and future damages
- Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies
- Take your case to trial if necessary to secure full compensation
We treat every client with personal attention and compassion because we understand that this is more than just a legal case; it’s your future.
