Chapter 3 Pain and Suffering

Index

Section 1 Introduction
Section 2 Initial Client Interview
Section 3 Establishing Nature and Extent of Pain and Suffering
Section 4 Documenting Proof of Pain and Suffering
Section 5 Client’s Representation of the Extent of the Injury
Section 6 Tools for Proving Pain and Suffering
Section 7 Medical Records
Section 8 Ambulance Records
Section 9 Emergency Room Records
Section 10 Hospital Records
Section 11 Lay Witnesses
Section 12 Medical Testimony of a Treating Physician
Section 13 Photographs of Injuries and Models
Section 14 Day-in-the-Life Films
Section 15 Photographs and Videos of the Accident
Section 16 Testimony of Strangers Observing the Injured Party
Section 17 Psychologists and Social Workers
Section 18 Mitigation of Pain and Suffering
Section 19 Hedonic Damages
Section 20 Damages for Pain and Suffering in a Wrongful Death Action
Section 21 Aggravation of a Preexisting Injury
Section 22 Per Diem Argument
Section 23 Right to Show Mental Anguish Without Physical Injury
Section 24 Impact Rule Abolished
Section 25 Cases Awarding Recovery for Mental Anguish
Section 26 Cases Denying Recovery for Mental Anguish
Section 27 Miscellaneous Evidentiary Problems
Section 28 Expressions of Pain and Suffering Made to Friends and Family
Section 29 Observations of Depression and Nervousness by Friends and Family
Section 30 Fears of Future Medical Complications
Section 31 Discovery of Evidence Tending to Negate Pain and Suffering
Section 32 Medical Records
Section 33 Witnesses Who Have Observed Plaintiff’s Physical Condition
Section 34 Surveillance Videos
Section 35 Assessment of Appropriate Compensation for the Pain and Suffering Sustained
Section 36 Jury Awards for Similar Injuries
Section 37 Use of Mock Jury to Appraise the Value of a Case
Section 38 Mediation