If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Utah, you’re likely facing a mountain of stress. Medical bills are piling up, you might be out of work, and you’re in pain. Amidst all this, one question looms large: “What is my personal injury settlement in Utah worth?”
We get it. At McMullin Injury Law, we’ve guided thousands of Southern Utah residents through this exact situation. As the largest and most experienced personal injury law firm in the region, we’ve recovered over 100 million dollars for people just like you over the last decade. We believe you deserve to understand how settlements work so you can make informed decisions for you and your family.
While many people think of car crashes, “personal injury” covers any situation where you are harmed due to someone else’s negligence. This could be a slip and fall at a store, a dog bite, or a construction site accident. No matter the cause, the path to a fair personal injury settlement in Utah involves understanding the key factors at play.
There’s No “Simple Average” — Every Case is Unique
The single most important thing to know is that there is no magic calculator for personal injury settlements. Each case is valued based on its specific details. A case involving minor whiplash will be worth far less than one involving a permanent spinal cord injury.
Here are the primary factors that determine the value of a personal injury claim in Utah:
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Medical Expenses (Past and Future)
This is the foundation of your claim. It includes every cost associated with your medical care: ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, and prescription medication. Crucially, it also includes the estimated cost of any medical care you will need in the future because of the injury.
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Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
You are entitled to compensation for any income you lost while recovering. If your injury permanently affects your ability to do your job or earn the same amount of money as before, you can also claim damages for that “loss of earning capacity.”
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Pain and Suffering
This is compensation for the non-economic impact of your injuries—the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. While harder to quantify, this is often the most significant part of a settlement, especially in cases with severe or permanent injuries.
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Severity and Permanence of the Injury
A broken arm that heals completely will result in a lower settlement than an injury that leaves you with a permanent limp, chronic pain, or disfiguring scars. The more your injury impacts your daily life, the higher the potential settlement value.
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Comparative Fault
Utah uses a “modified comparative fault” rule. This means your fault for the accident can reduce your settlement. For example, if a court awards you $100,000 but finds you 10% at fault, you will receive $90,000. If the court finds you 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
General Settlement Ranges for Personal Injury Settlements in Utah
While every case is different, we can provide some general ranges to give you an idea:
- Minor Injury Cases (e.g., sprains, bruises): These cases, often involving minimal medical treatment and a quick recovery, may settle for $5,000 to $30,000.
- Moderate Injury Cases (e.g., herniated discs, simple fractures): These cases might require more extensive treatment or physical therapy and could settle in the range of $30,000 to $100,000.
- Severe Injury Cases (e.g., traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage): These life-altering injuries often involve permanent disability and significant future needs. Settlements can range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars.
Why You Need an Experienced Attorney
The goal of insurance companies is to protect their profits by paying out as little as possible. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers trained to minimize your claim.
That’s where we come in. Personal injury law is all that we do, all day, every day. Our firm was founded right here in St. George, and most of our attorneys grew up in Southern Utah. We take immense pride in helping our neighbors navigate the aftermath of an injury, and getting you the largest compensation possible.
Our team is here to handle the insurance companies, the medical bills, and the paperwork so you can focus on what matters most: your health and getting your life back to normal. We have a century of combined experience and an undefeated trial record in 2019. We are committed to getting the right result, whether your case is big or small.
Don’t Wait—Get the Answers You Deserve
If you’ve been injured, call us for a free, no-pressure consultation. We’ll meet with you face-to-face, listen to your story, and walk you through all your options. And remember, you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
