What Is “Loss of Enjoyment of Life” in Boca Raton?

If you suffered an injury due to a car crash or slip and fall, you might experience various psychological hardships. Sometimes, these psychological issues can last much longer than your physical injuries. In other cases, they are closely related to your physical injuries. One example is something called “loss of enjoyment of life.” Can you claim this damage? Can a Boca Raton personal injury attorney help you pursue the compensation you deserve?

The Legal and Psychological Definition of Loss of Enjoyment of Life

The loss of enjoyment of life represents your inability to engage in the activities and pastimes you once loved. This loss stems directly from your injuries, and although it is not financial in nature, it nonetheless has value. Some legal scholars argue that the loss of enjoyment of life (often abbreviated as simply “LEL”) should be honored because of its presence in the Declaration of Independence.

As any schoolchild can tell you, the “pursuit of happiness” is one of the inalienable rights of American citizens. If an accident caused by a negligent party deprives you of that right, you should be allowed to hold that negligent party liable. While some downplay the legitimacy of LEL, it is a perfectly valid damage to pursue after an accident in Boca Raton.

Examples of Loss of Enjoyment of Life

There are countless examples of loss of enjoyment of life to consider. You might have played sports before your accident. If your injury prevents you from playing sports, this may qualify as loss of enjoyment of life. For example, you may not have the ability to play soccer after both of your legs were amputated.

Perhaps you enjoyed long hikes with your dog. If you are now blind due to eye injuries after a car accident, it may be impossible to engage in this pastime. This might have been one of the few things that gave you joy in this world. Another example might involve active pursuits with your children, such as playing catch in the yard.

These activities do not need to be overly physical or complex. Simple things like walking or even playing chess could lead to increased compensation if these pursuits are now impossible due to your injuries.

How Do I Calculate the Value of My Non-Economic Damages? 

Your non-economic damages may be more complex to calculate because of their abstract, emotional nature. Your lawyer can help you assign an accurate value to not only loss of enjoyment of life, but also things like depression, disfigurement, and emotional distress.

Can a Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me? 

If you want to explore potential compensation for damages like loss of enjoyment of life, consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney in Boca Raton. These legal professionals can review your situation and help you evaluate your economic and non-economic damages. From there, you can pursue a fair sum that matches all of the experiences you have been forced to endure. Learn more by contacting Steinberg Law today.

Sources:

 archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

jstor.org/stable/1094069