Most people have heard of the term “pain and suffering,” but many do not know what it truly means.
In its simplest form, damages awarded due to pain and suffering in Oklahoma are those that are not concrete financial losses.
Medical bills and car repairs are damages that have an actual dollar amount.
On the other hand, pain and suffering damages are not clearly defined; any financial awards simply flow from that fact that you were in an accident.
These are called “non-economic damages.” In Oklahoma, you may only recover up to $350,000 in such damages.
Defining Pain and Suffering in Oklahoma
You can sue based on the fact that you have experienced pain and suffering following an accident. Consider someone who slipped on a puddle of water in a grocery store and hurt her ankle. She can sue for the fact that she now experiences pain walking.
Similarly, someone who was in a traumatic car accident can sue based on the fact that he suffers anxiety attacks every time he gets behind the wheel of a car.
Ultimately, what pain and suffering in Oklahoma means varies on a case-by-case basis. Your personal injury attorney can determine the best way to help you recover these damages.
Proving Pain and Suffering
There are a number of ways to prove that someone suffered pain and suffering in Oklahoma. For example, medical records stating that the patient requires lengthy physical therapy can prove that someone has suffered substantial pain.
Similarly, an employer’s records showing that someone cannot perform their full job duties as a result of injury can demonstrate that she is in very serious pain.
Alternately, someone can provide a statement describing the extent of his pain.
However, this may not be as effective as documenting your pain through medical treatment.
Initial Consultation: Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney
Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be a lengthy process and an attorney can help you navigate the various stages of the claim.
If you or anyone you know has been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, please contact a Tulsa personal injury attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced attorney today at The Personal Injury Law Office of Tulsa. Call (918) 924-5528, or toll-free at 1-(888) 447-7262 .
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