Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. We would suggest that its best to begin by seeking mediation or arbitration. Suffering gives rise to love for those who suffer, a disinterested love to help them by relieving it. Some lawyers may target Christians who are looking for someone to help them with their problems; others may focus on people looking for someone to blame for their pain and suffering. we just need to trust Him. Christian contractors may be unable to pay their employees and support their families without this money. In addition to the comments above, you should also know that you are likely obligated to arbitrate your claim with Kaiser rather than sue in court. We keep wanting to go our own way, pretending that we are God. Applying a biblical worldview to this difficult subject results in a distinctly different approach to suffering than our natural inclination of blame and self pity. All Christians suffer. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Christians should benchmark their decision against what they believe God would want them to do. The nothing from which this new world of happiness or the definitive Paradise flows is not an innocent nothingness but a guilty nothingness that is the greatest evil - sin - which leads definitively to the Cross. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . 2. This means that you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages under workers' compensation. It is required of you, however, to treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (i.e., a nonbeliever) if he refuses to listen to the church. This article is also available in Spanish. Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. So when I say to a mother or father who has also lost a child, "I hurt with you, because I've lost a precious one too," my tears bring warmth and comfort in a way that someone who has never known that pain cannot offer. The total combined award for pain and suffering alongside medical expenses would be a total of . Articles and answers on lots of topics at Probe.org. Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. It can feel like you're all alone in your pain, and that makes it so much worse. Some states cap the amount of damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering settlement. Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. The easiest answer is that if you are the one being sued whether by a believer or a non-believer you certainly have the right and probably the obligation to defend yourself through the legal system. Suffering is an expected part of the Christian life. Pete just shrugged and said, "This is nothing." We are forced to depend on the intercession of the Holy Spirit and the saints, needing them to go before the throne of God on our behalf. For example, if a plaintiff incurs $3,000 in medical bills . In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For we find ourselves in intimacy with the Blessed Trinity, in the loving reality of the unity of the Triune God and in the depths of this mystery. Paul confronts that type of thinking when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Medical malpractice is alarmingly common in the United States. In God's sovereign scheme, pain and suffering are not only powerless to destroy the believer, they can result in a refined, resilient faith that perseveres and spurs others on in the same way, until we see our Lord and Savior face to face. Let us now try to describe suffering. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. That can dictate the average amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement, with no state requiring less than $10,000 in coverage for bodily injury. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . He allows us to experience storms in our lives for the same purpose: to learn to depend on God. When a brother sins against you, Jesus says that you are to tell him his fault in front of just the two of you if he sins against you. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? Towards the end of the book Business by the Book, published by Thomas Nelson, I provide the following answer: In view of the fact that there were no corporations in existence when the Bible was written, the best we can do in order to relate the principle to the closest parallel of that time: a government agency. Those who suffer tend to have tender hearts toward others who are in pain. One wise man I heard said, "I got theology in seminary, but I learned reality through trials. Economic damages: $5,000. Suffering teaches us the difference between the important and the transient. He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another persons deepest distress. This is the heart of Christianity. It is stated in the Bible that a Christian is not prohibited from suing a company for the collection of a lawful debt, but this does not mean that a Christian should exercise this right to sue a company. Generally, you must have evidence, like medical testimony, to prove your pain and suffering resulted from the accident you are claiming. This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. My husband once told me that heaven is more real to me than anyone he knows. In this guide, well explain what pain and suffering is, review some pain and suffering settlement examples, and discuss everything you need to know about these settlements. The Pope ends by saying that the mystery of man is revealed in Christ, and the mystery of man is very specially connected to suffering. It further affirms that suffering is a punishment inflicted for self-correction, since good follows evil, leading to conversion and to rebuilding goodness (cf. A Christian Understanding of Pain and Suffering, The Thinking and Theology of John Paul II. Claims Amount = $2,000 + $300 X [5 to 10%] Current pain and suffering is the time period from the time of your injury, to the completion of all your medical . There are several references in the Bible to compensating a person for a loss they have suffered. It's a wound thatby God's gracehas never fully healed so that I can truly empathize with others out of the very real pain I still feel. To determine whether you can sue for pain and suffering damages, you must first look at liability in your case. In light of the tragedies we've experienced lately, such as shootings and wildfires, some may ask why there is pain and suffering in the world. But in matters of . . California, for example, limits non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $250,000 in . There are many other options available besides suing those who have wronged us. Also, the Bible discusses the consequences of suing another Christian, so we can infer that there are negative consequences for doing so (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). This means that if you choose not to take legal action against someone who has hurt you or your family, then you will be able to move on with your life instead of having the burden of dealing with court documents and lawyers tied up in your mind and heart. I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. When doctors said he would probably lose the sight in his right eye, Mr. Norfleet said, "Losing an eye is a small thing. I have an appreciation of heaven gained from a different experience. Then . God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. . Following a car accident, plaintiffs can generally sue for monetary damages (such as medical bills, medications, assistive technology, and lost wages), as well as for non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering, which includes . Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the FatherI mean, He was all window and no walls! It is quite understandable that this would happen. This the opinion of Job's friends (cf. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. Pain and suffering is something that cannot be easily quantified, making it difficult to prove. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. In addition to physical pain, plaintiffs can recover for the permanent physical . depression. ibid.,10). Some survivors, like Sue, wonder how there could be a God who would allow an innocent child to endure such pain and suffering, and others see no meaning or purpose in life. In Massachusetts, noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are limited to $500,000. However, many cases go to trial and result in a verdict, a decision by a court as to the amount the plaintiff should be awarded, and these can be used to estimate how much a case is worth. Often, legal counsels will recommend that you file a lawsuit against your insurance company for loss as well as punitive damages. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. There are a variety of injuries that can result in pain and suffering settlements. Posted on Feb 6, 2012. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. If God didn't make it painful, we'd never let go of it." The apostle Paul, on the other hand, said something that I believe is very important: Do not act out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). There are several kinds of personal injury suits, all of which can result in pain and suffering settlements. There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. If you believe you or someone you love were the victim of medical malpractice, contact Morgan & Morgan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Can Two Walk Together Except They Agree? I believe that each person needs to examine their own heart and decide what is right for them. . There is no easy answer to this question. The Apostle James, in chapter 1, verses 1-4, was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials. The simple answer is yessometimes. Emotional distress is a type of 'pain and suffering' damage. Christian Versus Christian Civil Dispute: According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, a Christian is not to civilly file a lawsuit against another Christian in a secular court of law. 2008 Ron Blue. The following is a translation from Italian of excerpts of the Cardinal's lecture. It is victory over death. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Adapted from Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue. What if the person in question is a believer? Let me explain. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. if You take me through today . It must be someone who was in a position to be treating you. The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. Paul said he delighted in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties "for when I am weak, then I am strong.". The solution to the mystery of evil is not only discovered through theological exposition but also by experiencing that something which, if steadily gazed at, darkens because of its excessive brightness yet is very real - we can say the most real reality -, for it is the only way to happiness. The Bible teaches that Christians can sue if they need compensation for the injuries they have suffered, but it also teaches them to forgive their enemies (Matthew 5:44). Suffering scoops us out, making our hearts bigger so that we can hold more love for Him. Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. This makes it hard for judges, juries, and other decision makers to determine how much money should be awarded to an injured party because they dont know what type or degree of pain that individual has experienced since every case is different. Through suffering, human beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ. Scripture makes it pretty clear that brothers and sisters in Christ should not be suing one another (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. God causes far more pain and suffering than . Ouch! You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. I think that the development of the Pope's thought climbs six steps towards the fullness of the mystery of suffering and pain; we can sum them up as follows: Suffering is not in itself evil but is the effect of a negative cause. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. It's difficult to put a value on a person's mental and emotional well-being because it's purely subjective. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. C.S. Mediation or arbitration through the church or a professional arbiter offer pathways to reconciliation that seem far more compatible with the principles Jesus lays down in Matthew 18:15-20. The first method is to multiply the plaintiff's actual damages (medical bills and lost wages) by a certain number, generally between 1 and 5 (depending on the severity of the injury). Your pain, and difficulties `` for when I am weak, then I am weak, then I strong. 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