As we’ve said on the blog numerous times in the past, workers’ compensation law is incredibly complex, and it almost always pays to have an attorney on your side when trying to figure out a fair settlement. In fact, hiring a lawyer oftentimes pays for itself because of all the extra money the lawyer can help you earn by filing a smart and thorough claim. That sentiment only becomes more true in the event that your injury case involves compensation for future damages. We explain why a lawyer and other experts are essential if your Minnesota injury claim will involve future medical expenses.
Expert Witnesses For Future Damages
Some injured workers eventually make a full recovery, which makes it a little bit easier to come up with a fair compensation package. However, a significant portion of injured workers will never fully recover or will need certain services for the rest of their life. But how can you ensure that a settlement agreement will fairly and accurately account for future expenses you’ll incur down the road? You can’t, but you can connect with experts who can ensure these future expenses are calculated correctly.
The first expert you’ll need is a lawyer. An injury lawyer like Dean Margolis has a wealth of experience looking at all aspects of your injury case and determining which future damages are relevant. Certain factors that your lawyer may consider include:
- Future medical expenses
- Future lost wages
- Reduced earnings capacity
- Chronic physical or emotional pain
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
Once the relevant factors have been determined, your lawyer will begin running the numbers and putting a monetary value to these damages. Odds are the insurance company will have a much lower number in their head, which is why other experts are needed to help prove your figures are correct. Some expert witnesses that can back up your claim include:
Doctor/Medical Specialist – A physician can speak to the extent of your injuries, the projected recovery timeline and what lifelong treatments or care you will need as a result of your injuries.
Your Boss – Someone at your company could speak to how your injuries would make it impossible to perform your job or move up the ladder in the future.
Psychologist – A psychologist could speak to the mental and emotional side effects of a physical injury and how they could affect your life, your marriage or your quality of life.
These are just a few of the experts we’ve worked with in the past to help establish a fair settlement amount that includes future damages, and we’d be more than happy to put our expertise to work for you. If you need assistance filing a claim or calculating any type of damages resulting from your personal or work injury, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.
