Because cervical radiculopathy can have varying effects on patients, there is no average settlement for this injury. Instead, our legal team can evaluate how your cervical radiculopathy has interfered with your health, work, and lifestyle and pursue an appropriate settlement amount on your behalf.
Types of Damages You May Receive
Settlements are often divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages reimburse you for treatment and bills you already paid, as well as provide funds for future expenses. Non-economic damages cover more personal losses, such as the trauma you experienced due to the injury or its effect on your quality of life.
Economic Damages You Can Collect
Since cervical radiculopathy affects the nerve roots in the neck and upper spine, you could be facing several expenses related to diagnosis and treatment. Your settlement could cover:
- Doctor visits
- Specialist appointments
- Imaging tests
- Prescription medication
- Steroid shots
- Physical therapy
- Medical equipment
- Surgery
- Follow-up visits
Additionally, economic damages cover lost wages from missed work during recovery. However, much like with medical treatment, the amount of work you miss and the impact of the injury on your overall ability to work will vary.
You Might Be Able to Recover Non-Economic Damages
Not all of your settlement will be dedicated to defraying the cost of treatment and recovery. If you were injured by negligence, damages are also meant to provide compensation for losses experienced with no direct or clear value attached to them. This category of damages includes compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress
We can help you valuate these losses together for a fair settlement amount.
Factors That Influence Your Amount of Damages
Damages are calculated based on your background, job type, and lifestyle. When we request a settlement amount for you, we consider:
The Location of the Injury
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cervical radiculopathy can have different impacts depending on which vertebra is pinching on the nerve roots. For example, pressure at C5 causes pain in the shoulder and upper arm, C6 causes both pain and weakness in those areas, and C7 can cause pain and weakness that ranges from the neck to the hands.
You may receive more or different damages if any of the following apply to your case:
- You require immobilization for treatment.
- You experience chronic pain.
- The injury prevents you from working.
- You have dependents who rely on you for financial stability.
- The pain or weakness interferes with daily tasks.
How It Has Affected Your Mobility
Immobilization could mean more time off work and may also contribute negatively to your mental health. The latter is also a potential consequence of chronic pain. Time off work could impact your dependents, such as children, spouses, or elderly parents.
Furthermore, the pain and weakness that is typical of cervical radiculopathy may make normal tasks challenging, like cooking, getting dressed, or actions that require fine motor skills. These inabilities could put additional strain on your finances, mental health, and stability.
When you talk to our team about how your cervical radiculopathy has specifically impacted your life, we can factor it into the settlement we pursue on your behalf.
Your Overall Quality of Life
We have mentioned the impact of cervical radiculopathy on mental health. This change can play a crucial role in your non-economic compensation as well. Being unable to perform certain tasks, pick up and hold your young children, or provide for your family can take its toll. That toll is part of the injury and, therefore, eligible for damages. Some of the non-economic factors that could alter your settlement amount include:
- Impact on independence
- The strain on family members
- Development of mood disorders
- Loss of income over your lifetime
Even if some of these factors are temporary while you are being treated for cervical radiculopathy, they could still play a role in your compensation. You don’t need to be permanently injured to deserve certain damages.
Our Team Will Get to Work for You While You Get Better
Our team consults doctors, actuaries, and other experts to ensure we consider future losses. In the process of negotiating a settlement with the insurance company, your condition may also change, especially if your symptoms don’t respond to more conservative treatment options.
Throughout your case, you can rely on us to monitor your condition, keep you in the loop, and tailor our approach to your settlement accordingly.
If we cannot reach a settlement agreement with the insurer, we will submit a lawsuit that meets the four-year deadline imposed by Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a).
Connect with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a Free Case Review
If you have questions about the settlement amount you can expect for cervical radiculopathy, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. You will receive a free consultation and won’t pay any attorney’s fees unless you win compensation.
We Can Help.
