If I received deep cuts on 2 fingers from a loose metal panel on an MTA bus, what kind of money should I ask for on the claim?
Question Details: Accident report filed immediately with LACMTA. Incident likely recorded on video. Bus driver administered first aid. Physician's report forthcoming. Pain occurs when opening jars, filing papers and other activities. Numbness felt when operating computer mouse, winding a watch and other office and household activites. Pictures of injury available.
You need to do some leg work here. Ask your doctor about: physical therapy, occupational therapy etc. Then you need to investigate the cost of those services over the term that your doctor thinks they will be necessary. Is your employment going to be changed by your disability? Are you going to have to change professions? How much pain are you suffering?
Do you want to fight it out in court or do you want them to pay the claim? The lower the number, the higher the chance they will just settle. If money is more important now, then settlement might be more attractive.
It is really hard to ballpark a settlement number and I am a family law attorney, but I have seen similar cases settle for around 80-100,000.
