A Brooklyn jury awarded Mr. Vargas $17.5 million for the City of New York’s violation of his civil rights for failing to provide him medical care while in custody. The jury found that the police officers involved failed to provide the necessary medical treatment and awarded $17.5 million to Mr. Vargas.
Recommended Articles
Categories
Practice Areas
Get A Free Case Evaluation
Evaluating Your New York Personal Injury Case: How Much Is It Worth?
Suffering an injury as the result of someone else’s negligence turns your life upside down in an instant. As you struggle with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income, you may wonder, “How much is my personal injury case worth?” While every case is unique, understanding the key factors that impact the value of your claim will help you set realistic expectations for your personal injury settlement.
Severity and Permanence of Your Injuries
The most important factor in determining the worth of your personal injury case is the nature and extent of your injuries. Generally, more severe injuries lead to higher settlement amounts. For instance, a spinal cord injury leading to paralysis generally yields a higher compensation than a broken bone that eventually heals.
When evaluating your case, insurance companies and juries consider several aspects of your injuries, including:
- The severity and type of injuries you sustained
- The length of your recovery period
- Whether you will need ongoing medical treatment
- If you suffered any permanent disabilities, scars, or disfigurement
- The impact of your injuries on your ability to work and enjoy life
Keep in mind that not all severe injuries are immediately apparent. Some serious conditions, like traumatic brain injuries or chronic pain, may take time to develop and diagnose. That’s why seeking prompt medical attention and following your treatment plan is crucial.
Calculating Your Damages
The next step to estimating what your personal injury case is worth is to add up your potential economic damages, which account for direct financial losses. Don’t know how to estimate compensation in injury cases? As the injured party, look into damages such as:
- Medical bills for emergency care, surgeries, medications, therapy and more
- Future medical expenses for ongoing care related to your injuries
- Lost wages from missed work during your physical recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to work
- Property damage to your vehicle or other belongings
These economic damages are relatively straightforward to calculate using medical bills, pay stubs, and repair estimates. Get medical records and documentation as these can be proof of the medical costs you incurred for your physical injuries.
Next, consider your non-economic damages, which compensate you for intangible losses such as:
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress damages
- Disability or disfigurement damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
The severity of an injury often determines the value of non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The more significant the lasting effects, the greater the potential compensation may be. When you file a claim as an accident victims, the amount of compensation you receive depends on how much evidence you present. You can also get punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages if you are injured in an accident.
Factors That Can Reduce Your Claim’s Value
Just as certain factors can increase your case’s worth, others can diminish the value of your claim. Be cautious of the pitfalls that can hurt your chances of recovering maximum compensation. What are some factors affecting injury settlement amounts?
- Failing to seek prompt medical treatment: If you wait too long to see a doctor after an accident, the insurance company will likely argue that your injuries are unrelated or not serious.
- Sharing too much on social media: Insurance adjusters will likely review your social media accounts for any posts contradicting your injury claims. Avoid discussing your accident or injuries online, and update your privacy settings.
- Missing key deadlines: The statute of limitations in New York for most personal injury lawsuits is three years from the date of the injury. You will lose your right to seek compensation if you miss this filing deadline.
- Accepting quick settlement offers: Insurance companies may start with a lower proposal to test the waters. Consider seeking the advice of a seasoned attorney to understand the full value of your claim.
Average Personal Injury Settlement Amounts
With so many variables involved, it’s impossible to assess your case’s value accurately without reviewing it in detail. Relatively minor injuries might be worth a few thousand dollars, whereas more serious but recoverable ones could yield tens of thousands in compensation. However, settlements can be much higher for severe injuries and complex cases. For example, settlements for spinal cord injuries are often for $1 million or more.
It’s crucial to remember that these are just rough guidelines. An experienced personal injury lawyer who has handled cases like yours will be able to give you a more customized assessment of your claim’s worth.
Consult an Attorney to Maximize Your Injury Recompense
You don’t have to take on the complexities of a personal injury claim alone. Instead, you can contact the New York City personal injury lawyers at [firm-name] for a free consultation today, during which we’ll listen to your story and assess your claim. Call us at [phone-number linked=true]. Our experienced personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs. Our law firm only gets paid if we recover compensation for you.
Related Posts:
Over $500 Million in Verdicts and Settlements
Our track record showcases over $500 million won for our clients. Each victory underlines our commitment to justice and client care. Explore our impact, case by case.
What Our Clients Say About Us

Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions that prospective clients have about personal injury claims include:
Do I need an attorney?
When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know what to do next. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, filing a personal injury claim can be a complex and time-consuming process. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the maximum possible compensation.
How do I know I have a case?
When should I contact an attorney?
How do I determine which one to choose?
Once I hire an attorney, what should I expect?
Recent News
Find out how to move forward after an unexpected event with our short, helpful articles. We share simple advice that can make a big difference in tough times.
Contact Us
Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm