Personal Injury: ACL Injury
Various incidents and accidents can result in different types of injuries suffered by people involved in them. The same is true in an aircraft accident, passengers or staff may suffer different types of injuries as a result of the accident. If the cause of the accident was an act of negligence, victims may file a personal injury claim for compensation. This article will discuss ACL injury personal injury claim.
According to the Mayo Clinic [ACL injury – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic] an ACL injury in a “tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – one of the strong bands of tissue that help connect your thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia)”. ACL injuries are often the result of sudden stops, changing of direction, or the process of jumping and landing. It is commonly associated with sports such as football or downhill skiing. However, these are not uncommon in Alaska aircraft accidents.
Most people who suffer an ACL injury state that they hear a pop sound or feel a popping sensation in the affected knee. Common symptoms of an ACL injury include:
A loud popping sound or a popping sensation
Quick swelling
Severe pain in the knee
Feeling unstable
The knee becomes so painful that you are unable to bear your own weight
Such an injury requires immediate medical attention because of the complex structure of bones, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues and how they all work together. Therefore, receiving an accurate diagnosis quickly helps determine how severe the injury is and allows for you to receive proper treatment.
When filing a personal injury claim that involves an ACL injury, it is important to note that determining the exact dollar figure of your compensation depends a lot on the factors that are unique to your case. That being said, there are some common factors that can be taken into consideration. Three main factors to be considered are:
Valuing the case – this basically means determining the best guess as to what a jury may award the person suing for an ACL injury, as well as taking into consideration what the defendant would likely be willing to pay. In addition, the question as to how much each side will be willing to agree upon to settle the case is also taken into consideration. However, the two main factors that play a key role in valuing any case are the extent of the injured person’s damages, that is how bad the injury is, and the likelihood of the jury finding the defendant liable at trial.
Plaintiff’s damages estimation – it is difficult to accurately estimate how much a plaintiff will be awarded at trial because it is likely that the jury will make the final decision. Some damages are easier to predict such as medical bills and lost wages, however, damages without a dollar figure related to them are much more difficult to determine such as pain and suffering.
Chances the defendant will be found liable – with little or no evidence it is difficult to prove the defendant was at fault, thus evidence plays a key role in this factor.
