If you have been injured in an accident in Minnesota, you may have heard the term “loss of quality of life” come up in conversations about your claim. This is one of several categories of non-economic damages that state law allows injured people to pursue. But what does it actually mean, and how does it factor into the value of your case?
Learning how this concept works is important because it can account for a significant portion of your total financial recovery. Read on to learn how loss of quality of life works in Minnesota personal injury cases and what you need to know to protect your right to full compensation.
What Does “Quality of Life” Mean in Personal Injury Law?
In the personal injury context, quality of life refers to your overall ability to live, function, and enjoy day-to-day activities the way you did before your accident. If an injury takes that away from you, either temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss.
This is different from pain and suffering damages, although the two are related. Pain and suffering damages focus on the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by your injuries. Loss of quality of life, on the other hand, is about how those injuries have changed the way you actually live.
Some common examples include:
- No longer being able to participate in hobbies that you once enjoyed
- Difficulty performing basic tasks around the house and caring for your family
- Being unable to stay physically active
- Struggling to maintain social relationships
- Losing the ability to travel and pursue personal goals
The impact can range from temporary setbacks during recovery to permanent lifestyle changes in cases involving catastrophic injuries.
How Is Loss of Quality of Life Proven?
Since this type of damage is subjective, proving it requires more than medical records alone. You and your personal injury attorney will need to paint a clear picture of how your life has changed since the accident.
Evidence that can help support this part of your claim includes:
- Testimony from family members and friends about how your daily life has been affected
- Medical records documenting the nature and expected duration of your limitations
- Expert testimony from psychologists and vocational specialists
- Your own personal account, such as through a journal, of how the injury has affected your routines and activities
- Photos and videos showing what you were able to do before the accident, compared to now
The more detailed this evidence is, the more effectively your lawyer can communicate the full impact of your injuries to the insurance company during your case.
How Are These Damages Calculated in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not use a set formula to calculate loss-of-quality-of-life damages. Instead, each case is evaluated individually based on its own facts and circumstances.
Two common methods that lawyers and insurance companies use to estimate non-economic damages include:
- Multiplier method: Your total economic damages are multiplied by a factor, typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries and the extent of the impact on your life
- Per diem method: A daily dollar amount is assigned for each day you have been affected by the injury, then multiplied by the total number of days in your recovery period
It is worth noting that Minnesota does not impose a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. That means there is no legal limit on how much you can recover for loss of quality of life, as long as the evidence supports it.
Minnesota’s No-Fault Threshold for Non-Economic Damages
If your case involves a motor vehicle accident, there is an additional step you need to clear before you can pursue non-economic damages like loss of quality of life. Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means your own PIP coverage pays for certain expenses first, regardless of fault.
To step outside the no-fault system and pursue non-economic damages from the at-fault driver, your case must meet at least one of the following thresholds:
- Your medical expenses exceed $4,000
- You suffered a permanent injury
- You were totally disabled for 60 days or more
If your case meets one of these criteria, you are eligible to seek compensation for loss of quality of life along with your other non-economic damages. For cases that do not involve motor vehicles, like slip and fall accidents, this threshold does not apply.
Contact the Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
Loss of quality of life can be one of the most significant parts of a personal injury claim, especially when injuries affect your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, maintain relationships, or handle everyday activities. Proving these damages often requires strong evidence and a clear understanding of how Minnesota personal injury law applies to your case.
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys helps injury victims throughout Minneapolis pursue compensation for both financial losses and the personal impact serious injuries can have on daily life. Our team can evaluate your claim, gather supporting evidence, and help you pursue fair compensation for the full extent of your injuries and losses
Schedule a free consultation at (800) 292-1979 with a Minnesota personal injury attorney today to learn more. We work on a contingency basis, so you only pay attorney’s fees if your case is successful.
Visit Our Law Office In Minneapolis, MN
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (800) 292-1979
Open 24 hours
