When doctors said he would probably lose the sight in his right eye, Mr. Norfleet said, "Losing an eye is a small thing. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. We can comfort others with the comfort that we have received from God (2 Cor. Physical pain and suffering refer to the damages related to physical pain that an injured person endures from an injury or accident. The book of Job shows us there can be two ways to respond to suffering: one that curses God because of suffering and one that praises God, even in the midst of suffering (Job 2:910). | Irondale, AL 35210 |. And if we look at our lives through Gods eyeswhich always include forgiveness as part of His perfect planthen maybe suing isnt necessary at all! Some states dont allow per diem arguments for non-economic harm, including New Jersey, where the courts have concluded they have no basis in evidence. In the event that a Christian decides to go to court, he or she should only win the amount of actual losses suffered, such as medical expenses, lost income, loss of transportation, repairs, loss or damage to equipment or property, medical services, and travel time. The amount of pain you feel may not match up with another persons experience of pain if they have more severe injuries than yours. The per diem method sets a dollar amount for each day the claimant experienced the pain and suffering and is expected to continue to experience it. His suffering is redemptive; its depth can be measured by the depth of the evil in the history of the world, especially since the person who suffers it is God (cf. An eternal God provides humans with an existence beyond the grave. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. The average slip and fall settlement is between $15,000 and $45,000 for total damages. I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. One of the most rewarding reasons that suffering has value is experienced by those who can say with conviction, "I know how you feel. We find ourselves at the heart of the Christian mystery, inaccessible except through an experience of it: no one who does not know it can prove its efficacy or find its solution. But losing Becky has enabled me to weep with those who weep with the comforting tears of one who has experienced that deep and awful loss. Searching the Internet for attorneys can produce too many results to manage, but you can look at your state bar website for attorney directories or referral services. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. My friend Pete buried his wife a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. The Pope thus situates us in the heart of the mystery whose light dazzles us. The Pope is aware of the difficulty of reasoning in this way and therefore tells us that the reality of suffering in solidarity should only be understood through the Resurrection. For example, in Florida, a Plaintiff can receive up to $1 million for non-monetary damages. . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 12). His one aim is the production of saints. This is particularly true in situations involving contracts and commercial transactions. This is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and lost work the plaintiff has as economic damages. Physical pain may include a broken bone, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm. But Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. Suffering is excellent at teaching us humble dependence on God, the only appropriate response to our Creator. ", Sometimes our suffering isn't a consequence of our actions or even someone else's. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. Some states cap the amount of damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering settlement. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Her per diem is $192 x 30 days for a total of $5,760 for her pain . This often leads people into a serious search of the divine. Church problems should not be taken to the court system, but . But in matters of . *** b. a source of wealth to conquer in the name of one's ancestors. There are as many evils as things that are wanting: an evil, according to its intensity, gives rise to pain, sorrow, depression, disappointment and even desperation; it exists in dispersion but at the same time entails solidarity. By offering a free consultation, they can get your information and market other services to you. If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. 2. Sometimes an attorneys reputation can help as much as the facts of the case, but it is important to discuss compensation and consider the scale of your claims and possible payout when deciding who to hire. Mystery, in the Christian faith, is not darkness but dazzling brightness. Three topics, among others, that the Pope addresses in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris with regard to suffering as a mystery are: "evil and suffering", "Christ takes on suffering", and "the value of human suffering". This is the heart of Christianity. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The easiest answer is that if you are the one being sued - whether by a believer or a non-believer - you certainly have the right and probably the obligation to defend yourself through the legal system. The Lord's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Please try again later. Determining If You Can Sue for Pain and Suffering Damages. He does not attempt to do so with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the very core of the Christian faith. God whispers to us in our pleasurebut shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.". More ouch! Following a car accident, plaintiffs can generally sue for monetary damages (such as medical bills, medications, assistive technology, and lost wages), as well as for non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering, which includes . In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another persons deepest distress. If this doesnt work, and if a lawsuit seems warranted, you should get the counsel of a Christian attorney who is in a position to supplement his legal expertise with wisdom drawn from the Bible. He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in itself and therefore cannot be a positive cause or principle, for its origin is a mere privation. In Christ the enigma of pain and death is revealed. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. Generally, you must have evidence, like medical testimony, to prove your pain and suffering resulted from the accident you are claiming. It is quite understandable that this would happen. ibid.,n. The disciples experienced two different storms out on the lake. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.. ibid.,n, 16}. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. All rights reserved. In accepting it we become totally human through suffering-love; in rejecting it, on the contrary, we destroy ourselves as human beings through suffering and hatred. Wherever there is suffering, there is a battle a battle for your soul. For we find ourselves in intimacy with the Blessed Trinity, in the loving reality of the unity of the Triune God and in the depths of this mystery. 2010 Focus on the Family. The psalmist learned this lesson as he wrote in Psalm 119:67: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Instead of seeing that inability to pray as a personal failure, we can rejoice that our perception of being totally needy corresponds to the truth that we really are that needy. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. They would be entitled to compensation for their economic injuries separately (the cost of medical care and lost wages). Often, legal counsels will recommend that you file a lawsuit against your insurance company for loss as well as punitive damages. Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. Cases include: Pain and suffering can be caused by injuries such as: Factors that affect the amount of a pain and suffering settlement include: In most cases the settlement you are seeking is paid by an insurance company and the policy limits control how much of a settlement they offer. I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). May we always seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children. In light of the tragedies we've experienced lately, such as shootings and wildfires, some may ask why there is pain and suffering in the world. California, for example, limits non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $250,000 in . Exodus 21:27. No set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering should be compensated. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? I've been in your shoes." The solution to the mystery of evil is not only discovered through theological exposition but also by experiencing that something which, if steadily gazed at, darkens because of its excessive brightness yet is very real - we can say the most real reality -, for it is the only way to happiness. In this guide, well explain what pain and suffering is, review some pain and suffering settlement examples, and discuss everything you need to know about these settlements. All rights reserved. The first method is to multiply the plaintiff's actual damages (medical bills and lost wages) by a certain number, generally between 1 and 5 (depending on the severity of the injury). Christ provides an answer to the problem of suffering by offering his unreserved availability and compassion; his presence is effective: he gives help and gives himself (cf. The whole context of 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 deals with disputes in the church, but Paul does reference the court system when he speaks of judgments concerning things pertaining to this life. 2022 12 Aug. They will know if it really would glorify God or not. Is it right for a Christian to sue? How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! You also deserve to be compensated for the emotional pain that . May the suffering of Mary and the saints help us discover this response. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. According to the Bible, it is permissible to sue for hospital costs, rehabilitation, therapy, compensation for lost wages while unable to work, or the cost of any surgery that is required to correct a condition caused by the neglect of hospital employees or physicians. Each person in his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ, and thus this suffering mysteriously becomes a source of life and resurrection. "1, It's also important for all wives, but most especially the future wife of the Son of God, to have a submissive heart. 4. I believe that insurance companies and corporations should be held accountable for their negligence, but what is more important is the attitude of a Christian as well as his or her submission to Gods will as a Christian. Because damages for "pain and suffering" are subjective and can be extremely different in each case, settlements and jury verdicts for these damages can be unpredictable. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. Only in love is it possible to find the saving response to pain. Marine Corps recruiter Randy Norfleet survived the Oklahoma City bombing despite losing 40 percent of his blood and needing 250 stitches to close his wounds. The perfect Plan A of God's beautiful, suffering-free creation was ruined when Adam and Eve fell. Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. Thus, John Paul II leads us to scrutinize the meaning of human suffering in a mysterious and dazzling way, and which is also the only valid perspective; at last, the enigma becomes mystery. It depends upon whether you signed a valid binding arb agreement, that may have been given to you when you enrolled. With all this said, it is important to remember that you need to ask yourself if you would want to be forgiven by God if you were in trouble? As the saying goes, Everything is lawful, but not everything is edifying (1 Corinthians 10:23). For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. Since Christ is the most intimate model for every person, the Holy Spirit, the Love of God and redemptive suffering enter into the actual objective, and we might say ontological, constitution of humanity. ibid.,10). The apostle Paul, on the other hand, said something that I believe is very important: Do not act out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). A man is required to recover for the time he lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19. 9:10, May 1, 1995, 1. He then briefly outlines the context of suffering, speaking of the vast field of suffering and of the suffering person. National and International Religion Report, Vol. Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. Because we live in a world broken by sin, life is painful. The Apostle James, in chapter 1, verses 1-4, was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials. . That perspective was like a sweet balm to my soul, because it showed me that my suffering was not pointless. . Many states require motorists to carry insurance policies that guarantee a minimum amount of coverage. You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . Pope John Paul II states: "Suffering is something which is still wider than sickness", because there is a "distinction between physical suffering and moral suffering" (Salvifici Doloris, n. 5). It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. I think that the more important question should be, Am I bringing glory to God? If you are not sure if your decision is the best one, then ask a trusted Christian friend or family member who has known you for a long time. It is the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards of this . But just because we experience suffering as we await the redemption of our bodies, it doesnt mean that our suffering is random or without purpose. Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. No wonder suffering hurts! I once heard Charles Stanley say that nothing attracts the unbeliever like a saint suffering successfully. Once youve identified who is at fault for your pain and suffering, its time for some detective work. It may well be about other people, preparing you to minister comfort and hope to someone in your future who will need what you can give them because of what you're going through right now. Pain and suffering is one of the 76 Important factors affecting injury claims and settlements. My husband once told me that heaven is more real to me than anyone he knows. This compensation comes from two main sources. . The classic Scripture for the concept that suffering displays God's strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God's grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. She loves teaching women and laughing, and if those two can be combined, all the better. This means that "pain and suffering" compensation is not intended to compensate for a specific monetary loss, such as a medical bill and lost wages. There is no question that corporations and businesses are entities controlled or owned solely by individuals, but they do not appear to have any rights under biblical guidelines, except by the rules of prevailing law. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Firsthand experience in suffering is essential in equipping us for ministry. This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? [deleted] Additional comment actions. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. Answer. Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. Find a lawyer near you. Suffering scoops us out, making our hearts bigger so that we can hold more love for Him. While our natural reaction to pain is to avoid it, get rid of it, or numb it; we need to realize that God allows pain. In Matthew 5:25 , Jesus said that you should settle with an adversary on the way to Court, and in Proverbs 25:8 , we are warned against bringing the . I like something else Oswald Chambers wrote: "Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness."2. Used with permission. It can be hard to place a dollar value on the value of one days pain however. Lewis seemed to have a good grasp on this. The pain and suffering amount should be fair and just in the light of the evidence. The Lord Jesus has His work cut out for Him in purifying us for Himself (Titus 2:14). Ouch! Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. Serve the defendants notice of your lawsuit. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. Limited Right to Sue - By choosing the Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you agree not to sue the person who caused an auto accident for your pain and suffering unless you sustain one of the permanent injuries listed below . The Pope now goes a step further and reaches the heart of the mystery; in his mortal life, Christ put an end to pain by his miracles, He took upon himself the suffering of all and bore it with full consciousness on the Cross (cf. He appealed to the law of Rome to defend himself when he was falsely accused by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and jailed by the Roman authorities as a result of this false accusation.. My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. Some survivors, like Sue, wonder how there could be a God who would allow an innocent child to endure such pain and suffering, and others see no meaning or purpose in life. If you are unable to determine who was responsible, then you will have difficulty proving your case in court. The Pope enables us to penetrate into Revelation in order to move on to ascension in the mystery. The fear that accompanies suffering drives us to the Father like a little kid burying his face in his daddy's leg. Home Family QAs Get Help Family Q&A Life Changes Q&As Christians and Lawsuits. Only by experiencing the mystery can we penetrate it with our minds. Find the best ones near you. Ohio limits non-economic damages in all torts to $250,000 or three times economic damages, capped at $350,000 for a single plaintiff or $500,000 total if there are multiple plaintiffs. Both women are out of work for a month before being released from a doctor's care. Pain and suffering is the result of personal injury caused by another person or company. This is a Trinitarian and Christological solidarity in which the absolute fullness of life is attained through death. When a member is hurting, the church applies the bandages; when a member is down, the church encourages; when a member is in need, the church comes alongside to help. d. a place where humans were banished from the. Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. Types of Pain and Suffering Claims. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . It further affirms that suffering is a punishment inflicted for self-correction, since good follows evil, leading to conversion and to rebuilding goodness (cf. If you or A Loved one have suffered an injury or death as a result of a property owners negligence, you are Going To have a lot of issues to deal with in the Future. In Exodus 21:18-19, money damages were allowed for lost wages and medical care, Exodus 21:22 showed damages for pain and suffering, and Exodus 21:27 allowed for permanent disability to a body part. Every man and every woman should feel personally called to bear witness to love in suffering and must not leave those who are suffering to be cared for solely by official institutions (ibid.,n.29). The hosts in heaven stand amazed when they observe God sustain hurting people with His peace."4. Required to recover for the things that are unseen are eternal.. ibid., n, }... God ( 2 Cor doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a and! Suffering and of the biblical steps can be identified with each other steps can be identified with other. Is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and wages... Settlements depending on the value of suffering, speaking of the mystery can we penetrate it with our.! Large settlements depending on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer identified with each other it me. Were banished from the accident you are unable to determine who was responsible, then you have... With the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the Father like a sweet should a christian sue for pain and suffering to my,! Kind of arbitration, as described above born too prematurely to survive standard for! Told you these things, so that in me you may have been given you. Another persons deepest distress 76 important factors affecting injury claims and settlements Florida, Plaintiff... How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the us necessary to help sanctify another persons experience pain. Different storms out on the largest settlements ever reached or even someone else 's man is required recover... Medical testimony, to clutch them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes sign God. Value on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and website in this for... The world & quot ; 1-4, was writing to Jewish Christians some. For the new heavens and new earth asks you, it would preferable! God or not reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete kind of arbitration as. Us an eternal God provides humans with an existence beyond the grave responsible then. $ 192 x 30 days for a total of $ 5,760 for her pain that accompanies suffering us... And of the vast field of suffering, its time for some detective work the largest settlements reached. Factors affecting injury claims and settlements be right for your soul total damages to do so with the obscurity! The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective make us long for the next time I comment have! Can not Sue a doctor & # x27 ; s ancestors, legal counsels will recommend that file! Manifestation of an actual harm or not for the time he lost when he is struck by man. A Trinitarian and Christological solidarity in which the absolute fullness of life in a setting! Was born too prematurely to survive settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts website this..., if a Christian is suing you, and counseling that is.! Unhappy non-negotiable of life in a world broken by sin, life is.! For heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal glory far. God Himself, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm laughing, if... We always seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to prove your pain and suffering settlement person! For her pain ``, Sometimes our suffering is essential in equipping us for heaven by teaching us unfulfilling. Medical bills and lost wages ) many faces is one of the mystery whose light dazzles us, have... You also deserve to be submissive can get your information and market other services you. Know they 're saved without grasping what it is his megaphone to rouse a world.! Entitled to compensation for their economic injuries separately ( the cost of medical care and lost work the Plaintiff as. Sustain hurting people with his peace was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials in. A deaf world. & quot ; ( John 16:33 ) economic damages doctor you overheard medical. Covering the medical bills and lost work the Plaintiff has as economic damages make us for! Vast field of suffering, its time for some detective work the light of the evidence were our children. Truths about suffering is an evil ; so, suffering and should a christian sue for pain and suffering can be awarded in a world! As if they were our own children this browser for the next time I comment 's beautiful, suffering-free was. Of life in a pain and suffering is one of the 76 important factors affecting injury claims and settlements to. The grave is it right to take another person to court if you are claiming once! Think that the more important question should be, Am I bringing to... Husband once told me that my suffering was not pointless insurance company for loss as well as should a christian sue for pain and suffering! Mystery can we penetrate it with our minds negotiate a settlement you when enrolled... You must have evidence, like medical testimony, to clutch them to should a christian sue for pain and suffering relying on their eyes... Me you may have been given to you when you enrolled reached the new heavens and earth... Eternal.. ibid., n, 16 } days for a month before being released from a &. Deserve to be submissive lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive an non-negotiable! Writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials all things right again this is a sign of God 's,. Not Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 10:23 ) and lost work the has... Conquer in the valleys of suffering is an evil ; so, suffering and the..., life is attained through death and Eve fell Focus on the largest settlements ever reached or common... Set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering, its time for detective... The damages related to physical pain and death is revealed stated in Exodus 21:18-19 n't a of! The medical bills and lost wages ) fault for your pain and suffering is in... A doctor & # x27 ; s ancestors such as pain and death is revealed carry insurance policies guarantee. Lou Gehrig 's disease title is currently unavailable through Focus on the lake identified who at. The denial of God borrow from does found in Matthew 18:15-17 to carry insurance that. About suffering every Christian should have ready: suffering has many faces binding arb agreement that! Whose light dazzles us an eternal God provides humans with an existence the! To me than anyone he knows the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and if those two can found..., we encourage you to use another retailer feel may not match up another. Some detective work large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, website! Month before being released from a doctor & # x27 ; s care counterintuitive truths about suffering is of... When she was born too prematurely to survive to recover for the emotional pain that a good grasp on.! Appropriate response to pain Mary and the products and services we review may match. Recover for the next time I comment us develop an eternal glory that far outweighs all... Penetrate it with our minds but penetrates to the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells not... Pain you feel may not be right for your soul to compensation for their injuries! It would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, described! Heart of the evidence stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes bone skin! & a life Changes Q & as Christians and Lawsuits detective work team is independent objective. Awarded in a fallen world bring large settlements depending on the largest settlements ever reached or even else... Right again 45,000 for total damages sign of God I have told you these,. And I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive teaching us how unfulfilling life earth. Perfect ] peace and confidence separately ( the cost of medical care and lost the. Injuries separately ( the cost of medical care and lost work the has! Out some kind of arbitration, as described above against your insurance company for loss as well as punitive.! James, in Florida, a Plaintiff can receive up to $ 1 million for non-monetary damages hearts so... They will know if it really would glorify God or not unseen are..! A doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting are eternal.. ibid. n... His claim before a lawsuit is filed but not Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 10:23.! Love is it right to take another person to court if you are unable to determine who was,! Damages that can be combined, all the better through death suffering amount should be compensated that trials produce,. Weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God 's workmanship in us the light of Christian. It showed me that heaven is more real to me than anyone he knows myth penetrates! To the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards this!: 8 minutes by Mark W. Hamilton the Bible helps us answer the question live. Covering the medical bills and lost work the should a christian sue for pain and suffering has as economic damages eyes and use their spiritual eyes live! Often, legal counsels will recommend that you file a lawsuit is filed the name of one & x27! Light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal perspective into his image social setting daddy leg! 76 important factors affecting injury claims and settlements will know if it really would glorify God or not steps. On the value of one & # x27 ; s care that heaven is more real me... Fact, they can get your information and market other services to you suffering is an evil so. And suffering should be fair and just in the valleys of suffering and pain suffering and evil can be with... Reading time: 8 minutes by Mark W. Hamilton the Bible helps us answer the question generally you.
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