What is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and Suffering is a legal term that describes the physical, emotional, and mental injuries a personal injury victim sustained following an accident.
According to Black’s Law Dictionary, pain and suffering is defined as “physical discomfort, emotional trauma, or mental anguish that a plaintiff experiences as a result of a defendant’s actions.” As such, it often refers to the non-economic damages that a plaintiff may claim to compensate for the physical pain, emotional anguish, and diminished quality of life caused by the defendant’s actions or negligence.
Pain and suffering can include physical pain or emotional distress. For example: Amy is in a car accident because the other driver drove recklessly. As a result of the accident Amy might suffer from back problems and have a panic attack every time she tries to drive a car. Therefore, not only could Amy sue the other driver for the damage to her car, but also for the pain and suffering it has caused her physical and emotional health. Pain and suffering is aimed at providing compensation to injuried parties, and to have those at fault recognize the harm they caused and deter them from repeating their actions. Understanding pain and suffering is essential in personal injury litigation to ensure that plaintiffs receive fair and just compensation for the full scope of their injuries and losses.
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Car Accident Round-Up – SC Car Crash Kills Four
Car caught fire, however coroner reports victims were killed upon impact
Four Die in Fiery South Carolina Car Crash
Four friends died in a fiery car crash around 5 a.m. last Wednesday morning in Columbia, South Carolina. The four, who had been out celebrating a birthday, were traveling together in a Dodge Charger on George Rogers Boulevard when their car slammed into the Farm Bureau Insurance building at the Shop Road intersection. The car became engulfed in flames, but the coroner reports the four died upon impact. The friends were in their early 20’s. Police are continuing to investigate the accident, however, they believe speed and alcohol may have been contributing factors in the accident.
One Teen Dies, Four Injured in VA Accident
A five-car accident Monday afternoon near Rocky Mount, Virginia has claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy and left three other teens and an adult injured. […]
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Florida Company Sued in Car Accident Over Driver’s Poor Record
According to NaplesNews.com, the parents of a teen who died in a vehicle accident as he and others were being driven back to their school after competing in a flag football game have filed a lawsuit against the driver’s estate and his employer. The driver had a poor driving record with over 18 tickets, and the lawsuit alleges the company should not have allowed the man to drive the students.
The accident occurred last month when the driver lost control as he approached a 90-degree turn on Wagon Wheel Road, about three miles west of Turner River Road in Ochopee, Florida. The vehicle struck a traffic sign and flipped into a canal. The driver and the teenager died in the accident. The six other passengers suffered minor injuries.
The lawsuit points out that the driver’s license had been suspended six times, and on the night of the accident his license had been suspended three months. […]
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Minnesota Family Seeks Damages in Fatal Car Crash
The trustee of a teenager who died in a car crash near Claremont, MN, in 2010 is suing the driver and father of the car the teen rear-ended. The lawsuit seeks compensation for loss of aid, medical expenses and funeral expenses, as well as other compensation, according to the PostBulletin.com.
The deceased teen was in the second car traveling in a “caravan” of four cars on their way to a football game. When the driver of the lead car came upon a deer in the roadway he slammed on his brakes causing a chain-reaction collision. The injuries the teen sustained in the accident were fatal.
The lawsuit alleges the driver of the lead car was driving too fast and should have tapped his brakes to warn those following him of the obstacle in the road.
The suit seeks over $100,000, including $50,000 for “the loss of aid, […]
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Lawsuit Settled in HS Football Player’s Death
A 2006 lawsuit filed by the parents of a Henderson County, KY high school football player who died during practice has finally been settled. Although the terms of the settlement are sealed, both parties said they were glad to put the dispute behind them.
The lawsuit claimed negligence against several school personnel and a doctor, but the suit dragged on while the insurance companies continued to argue over which one bore the most responsibility, according to Kentucky.com.
The 16-year-old football player died during practice on a hot, humid day in July. The defendants claimed the teen died due to an underlying cardiac condition.
The father said his son’s death had played a part in changes to state law and athletic regulations that deal with heat. While he said the settlement was a “bitter pill to swallow,” he also said that without filing the suit they would not have gotten the details surrounding their son’s death. […]
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Massive Pile-up on I-10 Leaves Two Dead, Dozens Injured
Poor visibility may be the cause of 40 car pile-up on I-10
Deadly Louisiana Accident Closes Road for More Than Twelve Hours
A massive pile-up on I-10 near New Orleans, LA early in the morning last Thursday left two people dead and dozens more injured. According to WWLTV.com, the crash involved over 40 vehicles and took investigators, emergency responders and clean up crew over 12 hours to clear the wreckage and reopen the highway. Twenty-five people were hospitalized, several critical, and 37 others were injured but were treated at the scene. Poor visibility due to fog or smoke may be to blame.
GA Trooper Crashes into SUV Leaving One Dead
A Georgia state trooper rushing to help another policeman ran through a red light and crashed into an SUV near Atlanta, Georgia on New Year’s Eve. The collision that occurred at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Memorial Drive killed the wife of the Atlanta Braves head trainer and injured him, […]
