The term “personal injury” means a physical or mental injury to a person, whether their own fault or not. Personal injury law is designed to protect victims of accidents from negligence by those who caused their injuries. In the United States, personal injury cases can result in a claim for damages like medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, lost wages, or property damage. Personal injury cases can result in large settlements or verdicts that may seem high but, in reality, are usually far less than the actual value of the victim’s claim. This list compiles some of the biggest personal injury settlements in history.
Fatal accidents account for a large percentage of all personal injury cases, making these settlements even more significant. In most cases, the plaintiff has the ability to bring a claim against the negligent party, whether this is the driver of another vehicle or a negligent medical practitioner. The personal injury settlement is formed by dividing that settlement by the amount of money (or property) that is awarded to the victim. Here, we look at some of the largest personal injury settlements of all time from recent cases.
What Types of Accidents Do Personal Injury Attorneys Cover?
There are many types of personal injury cases that require legal representation. These include car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip, and fall accidents, dog bites, and auto accidents caused by a defective product. The types of injuries rarely vary among these categories of personal injuries. It is important to note that the terms “personal injury” and “crash” are often used interchangeably because they refer to the same injury; most times, a crash happens when a defendant is negligent while driving.
Sometimes, a victim is not the person who was driving at the time of the accident. In these situations, the passenger may make a claim for personal injuries, too. Child passengers are especially susceptible to injuries from a car accident because they are not fully mature and have an immature nervous system. It is important to know your rights if you suffer injuries as a passenger in a car accident. If you have been injured in an automobile accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today.
The Sixth-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
In 2014, a former NFL player was awarded $22.5 million in a personal injury claim. The player, who was not identified in the lawsuit, sustained severe brain damage and paralysis after being slammed to the ground by a substitute teacher at a middle school. The player’s lawyer argued that his client’s injuries would cost an estimated $60 million to treat over the course of his life. The teacher was convicted of causing the player’s injury.
The Fifth-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
A pedestrian was awarded $30 million in a personal injury case. In 2008, the victim lost his right leg after being run over by an eighteen-wheeler truck that was driving on the wrong side of the road. The driver of the truck was found guilty of causing the victim’s injury. The Texas jury awarded $30 million in damages to the pedestrian, which is believed to be one of the largest personal injury awards ever.
The Fourth-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
A man was awarded $32 million in a personal injury case in 2008. The victim, who was not identified in the lawsuit, was a passenger on a bus that veered off the road and crashed. The victim was thrown from the bus and ultimately died from his injuries. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and died two years later from complications related to his head trauma. His widow received $15 million, and the couple’s four children received another $17 million for their loss of companionship with their father.
The Third-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
A man was awarded $35 million in a personal injury case in 2004. The victim was a passenger on a bus that flipped over and crashed into a concrete divider. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and died three months later from complications related to his head trauma. His spouse and two children were awarded the settlement.
The Second-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
A woman was awarded $37 million in a personal injury case in 2004. She was hit by a truck after being dragged for several feet and suffered multiple fractures that required the amputation of her left leg. Her medical bills were estimated to be $10.8 million, but the injury left her unable to work, so she could not make any money. The victim’s husband and two children were awarded the settlement.
The First-biggest Personal Injury Claim Ever:
A man was awarded $70 million in a personal injury case in 1985. The victim, who was not identified in the lawsuit, suffered multiple injuries after he had been hit by a drug-induced car. The victim had swallowed the drug and was brought to the hospital for help. His family sued the driver of the car and won the award by showing that he was high on drugs when he hit their son.
Conclusion:
There is no perfect formula for figuring out the value of a personal injury case. In most cases, the victim’s medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering are hard to quantify. A personal injury attorney can help determine the true value of your claim. There is never a time when it is too late to seek legal counsel in a personal injury case. If you have suffered a personal injury, contact a personal injury attorney immediately for legal advice. The time limit for filing a personal injury claim is usually applied from the date of the accident, but it can vary by state and by case.