When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you might know you can collect compensation for medical bills and lost wages. But what about the emotional or personal side of things—like how your injury reduces your ability to enjoy life?
In Louisiana, personal injury law allows you to seek “quality of life” damages. These are a type of non-economic damages, meaning they don’t come with receipts like a hospital bill. Instead, they address the personal losses that make daily living less fulfilling.
Understanding quality of life damages can help you appreciate the full scope of what you’re owed if you’ve been seriously hurt due to someone else’s fault. Below is a straightforward overview of how these claims work, what they often include, and why an attorney can be crucial to obtaining fair compensation.
What Are Quality of Life Damages?
Quality of life damages refer to how your injury affects your ability to enjoy day-to-day activities and personal interests. They can overlap with “pain and suffering,” but focus more on lost opportunities or personal joys you can’t experience anymore. For example:
- Hobbies and sports: If you can no longer play tennis or go fishing because of an injury, that could be a loss in your quality of life.
- Social or family activities: Maybe you can’t attend family gatherings comfortably or keep up with your children’s needs.
- Independence: If you need help with basic tasks, that can rob you of the freedom you once had.
- Emotional well-being: You might feel depressed or anxious since you can’t do the things that used to bring you happiness.
None of these losses show up on a medical bill, but they are real. Courts in Louisiana let you seek money for these harms as part of a broader personal injury claim.
Why Quality of Life Matters in a Lawsuit
Personal injury law in Louisiana generally recognizes four elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Once you prove the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries, you can then claim losses—both economic and non-economic.
Quality of life is a key part of the non-economic side. Even if your medical bills aren’t astronomical, the loss of independence or inability to enjoy life can still be substantial.
Insurance companies often downplay non-economic harms, labeling them as “soft” or “subjective.” But these issues can be devastating, sometimes overshadowing the financial losses. That’s why it’s crucial to present a strong case for how your injuries truly changed your daily living.
Examples of How Quality of Life Can Decline
Consider a person who once loved running marathons. After a car accident left them with a serious knee injury, they can no longer run, which might cause sadness or frustration daily. Or maybe a parent used to pick up their young child easily, but chronic back pain now forces them to miss out on simple bonding moments.
A court or insurance adjuster might consider:
- The nature and severity of your injury
- Your age and general lifestyle before the accident
- The impact on family relationships
- Your chances of improving with therapy or surgery
These points help decide how much money to award for your reduced enjoyment of life.
Evidence That Shows Reduced Quality of Life
Because these damages don’t come with receipts, you can prove them in more flexible ways, such as:
- Personal statements: You can describe your struggles, from feeling sad you can’t play with your kids to being afraid to leave home.
- Medical or psychological records: A doctor or therapist can confirm how your injury affects your mindset or physical capacity.
- Statements from family/friends: They might testify that you’re more withdrawn or no longer do favorite activities.
- Photo or video comparisons: Showing “before and after” glimpses of your life can illustrate the contrast in your lifestyle.
Presenting a clear picture of how your life changed can help a judge, jury, or insurance adjuster understand why you deserve compensation for these intangible harms.
Contact a Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you’ve lost part of your quality of life due to someone else’s negligence, don’t settle for coverage of only your medical bills and lost wages. You may be entitled to non-economic damages that reflect the full impact of your injury. However, proving how your day-to-day living changed can be challenging, especially when dealing with insurance adjusters.
A Louisiana personal injury attorney at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can guide you, gather the right evidence, and advocate for a fair amount to cover your intangible losses. Many lawyers offer a free consultation, so you can discuss your case without risk. Protect your rights and ensure you seek the maximum compensation available—speak with an attorney today at (225) 263-4787.
