The Question Every Injury Victim Asks
After an accident, one of the first questions most people have is: how much is my case worth? The honest answer is that every case is different, and the value depends on a combination of factors that our attorneys carefully evaluate. Here’s how Massachusetts personal injury case values are determined.
Economic Damages: The Calculable Losses
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you have suffered because of the accident. They include all past medical expenses — emergency room, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions; future medical costs for ongoing treatment or permanent care needs; lost wages from time you were unable to work; and future lost earning capacity if your injuries permanently limit your ability to earn. These damages are calculated by adding up documented bills, medical expert opinions about future care needs, and economic expert analysis of lost earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible losses that are harder to quantify but often represent the largest portion of a personal injury award. Pain and suffering encompasses the physical pain you have endured and will continue to endure. Emotional distress covers anxiety, depression, PTSD, and psychological trauma from the accident and injuries. Loss of enjoyment of life addresses activities you can no longer do because of your injuries. Permanent scarring or disfigurement carries its own non-economic value. Massachusetts does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases.
Factors That Affect Case Value
Several factors determine how much your case is ultimately worth. Cases with clear liability — where the defendant’s fault is obvious — settle for more than disputed-liability cases. Serious injuries requiring extensive treatment and resulting in permanent limitations are worth significantly more than minor injuries with full recovery. The at-fault party’s insurance coverage sets a practical ceiling in many cases. Your own comparative fault, if any, reduces your recovery proportionally. And the skill of your attorney in building the case and negotiating with insurers has a direct impact on the outcome.
Why Early Settlement Offers Are Almost Always Too Low
Insurance companies make early settlement offers before your full medical picture is known. Accepting before you have reached maximum medical improvement almost always means leaving money on the table. Our attorneys evaluate your case only after understanding the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact.
Call Larson Law for an Honest Case Evaluation
If you were injured in Massachusetts and want to understand what your case may be worth, call Larson Law at 508-888-8888. We provide free, honest case evaluations and handle all cases on contingency — no fee unless we win.
Results Disclaimer: Past case results, settlements, and verdicts mentioned on this website do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is unique and depends on its own facts and legal issues.