What is Quality of Life?
Quality of Life refers to an the overall well-being and life satisfaction of an individual. It is not limited to physical well-being. For legal purposes, a person’s quality of life following an accident or injury is often compared to what it was like before that accident or injury.
Quality of life is measured based on various factors. There are both subjective measures such as satisfaction and happiness, and objective measures such as health and economic status.
Some common factors in a quality of life evaluation include the following:
- Activities of daily living
- Mobility and organization
- Social relationships and interaction ability
- Overall life satisfaction
- Participation in recreational or work-related activities
- Future prospects
Quality of life as a whole is an important factor in many legal cases. For example, victims of negligence may receive greater compensation if they can show how an injury or accident harmed their quality of life. Enduring pain or disability impact not only a person’s health, but also how they interact with the world and their ability to enjoy life. Beyond physical health, emotional distress and general unhappiness can also benefit their claims if proven to be caused by an injury or accident. Assessing quality of life gives a better understanding of the impacts on victims that are not always visible, and can allow for fairer damages being restored.
More information about Quality of Life
Cost of car crashes shows importance of safety measures
According to a new study released by the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the price tag of car crashes comes at a heavy burden for Americans at $871 billion in economic loss and societal harm. This includes $277 billion in economic costs, nearly $900 for each person living in the U.S., and $594 billion in harm from loss of life and the pain and decreased quality of life due to injuries.
The study was based on 2010 statistics, which included a staggering 32,999 motor vehicle crash fatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries, and 24 million damaged vehicles. We all know that no amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one or the pain and suffering when you are critically injured in a car crash. These figures show us the importance of a greater investment in vehicle safety, […]
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