Savannah Pain And Suffering Lawyer

May 7, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Living in charming Savannah, Georgia, provides residents with an experience of rich history. Savannah is marked by lush landscapes and a vibrant past. With a population of 147,780, Savannah is the fifth-largest city in Georgia.  In populous cities, more accidents and injuries lead to pain and suffering. If you've been injured in some way, you will benefit from consulting with a Savannah pain and suffering lawyer. Savannah pain and suffering lawyers are experienced in helping clients who have suffered from an accident in the area that resulted in pain and suffering. No matter which type of accident you have been in, you deserve compensation for mental anguish and pain and suffering.

What Is Pain and Suffering in a Lawsuit?

Your lawyer will assess your situation and case, analyzing the monetary and non-monetary damages that resulted from the situation. Pain and suffering affects your emotions, state of mind, and inner stability. Some pain and suffering incidents are easily understood because of external injuries. For example, if you are severely injured in a car accident, it will be obvious that you are in pain and that you are suffering. However, other situations may not cause an outward injury but would cause tremendous emotional pain and suffering. A Savannah pain and suffering lawyer can determine which types of accidents, injuries, or situations are grounds for pain and suffering claims.

Types of Cases That Include Pain and Suffering Damages

Many situations could result in being able to file for pain and suffering damages, such as:
  • Vehicle accidents
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Medical errors
  • Personal injuries
  • Human trafficking
  • Sexual abuse or sexual harassment
  • Dog bites
These are some of the most common situations that would result in pain and suffering damages. However, there may be other situations not listed that would be appropriate for a claim. Your Savannah pain and suffering lawyer will advise you on the validity of a claim.

How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering Damages?

The big question everyone always wants an answer to when they've been in an accident, injured, or harmed in some way by another party is “how much can I get for pain and suffering damages?” The monetary damages for pain and suffering are not as straightforward as economic damages. With economic damages, you have medical bills you can calculate, and you may also have time off work, which can also be figured out. Pain and suffering is not attached to a monetary value, so a lawyer will use a different calculation method to determine a fair award. Two common different methods are used to calculate pain and suffering damages. They are: Multiplier method: This method considers the severity of your situation and assigns a number between 1 and 5. The more severe your pain and suffering are, the higher your assigned number. That number is then multiplied by the total amount of your economic damages. For example, if your economic damages are $10,000, and you are assigned a level 4 severity, then the pain and suffering damages are $40,000. Per diem method: This method might be best for individuals who foresee that their injuries might be long-lasting and for those who have a job. You multiply the average amount of daily pay by how many days you will suffer. For example, if your average daily pay is $205, and you anticipate pain and suffering to last for six months, the payout would come to $36,900. This is similar to the multiplier method amount. If you have pain and suffering for a longer period, then the amount increases.

Can My Pain and Suffering Award Be Reduced?

One other factor can impact the award amount — how much “at fault” you were in the accident or incident. Of course, if you are suffering, you may think everything is the other party's fault, but keep in mind that their attorney or insurance company will be attempting to shift some blame over to you. In doing so, it reduces your award amount. If the judge or jury declares that you were 20 percent at fault, you will be able to claim 80 percent of the total award. Since Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state, following the O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 statute, you can't be 50 percent or more at fault in the incident. If you are, you won't be able to file for damages. That is why it's essential to have a Savannah pain and suffering lawyer build the evidence, showing that your part in the accident was minimal, if any.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Savannah, GA?

Another important factor to remember when filing your claim in Georgia is to do so in a timely manner. Each state operates on its own timeline, and Georgia's statute of limitations is found in O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This provides guidelines for the plaintiff in filing their paperwork to pursue personal injury and pain and suffering damages. You have up to two years from the date of the incident to file a claim.

Contact a Savannah Pain and Suffering Lawyer

The next step in receiving your pain and suffering damages is to contact a Savannah pain and suffering lawyer. They will determine which calculation method is best for your situation and move forward with the appropriate filing. At Dolman Law Group, an experienced attorney will provide you with a free case evaluation and let you know how to proceed. You can arrange to work on a contingency basis, so you won't have to pay any fees until the case is over and you have won. Contact the office to schedule a consultation today.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

Learn More