One possible answer is the Blue Book, which is acknowledged by many as the social security disability listing of impairments. The Blue Book describes injuries (for every major body system) considered serious enough to prevent an individual from performing any gainful activity, such as work. Nearly all of the impairments listed in this manual are permanent or likely to result in death.
Personal injury lawyers look at the Blue Book as the criteria in its list of injuries are pertinent to the claims evaluation for disability settlements under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs. Part A of the Blue Book’s impairment listing contains medical criteria applicable to impairment evaluation in adults who are 18 years of age and over. The said medical criteria may also apply to the evaluation of injuries in children under 18 if their disease processes manifest the same effect on younger children and adults.
Further medical criteria are discussed in Part B of the Blue Book’s list of impairments. However, the added criteria only apply to the assessment of injuries of sufferers under the age of 18. Some medical criteria in Part A do not provide enough consideration to the specific consequences of the disease developments in childhood. But that’s when the development of the disease is found in children or when the process varies in its effects on adults and children.
Aside from the Blue Book, personal injury lawyers also look at several volumes of books called “laws” or “codes” of a particular state. They do a lot of reading in resolving a case and tend to be knowledgeable and have experience of tort law that includes economic and non-economic damages to an individual’s rights, property or reputation. They adhere to strict legal ethics standards when dealing with their clients.
While the guidelines vary from state to state, the fundamental codes of conduct indicate that a personal injury lawyer should skillfully evaluate legal matters and practice competence in any legal issues undertaken. Normally, personal injury lawyers look at jury decisions in similar cases and settlements regarding physical injury, income loss, medical treatment, property damage, pain and suffering and other factors. They carefully read the codes or laws in the state where the case is being heard, as the laws vary from state to state.
Personal injury, malpractice and worker’s compensation settlements are usually determined based on the information found in these sources and a variety of factors such as the severity of the injury, lost wages, extent of monetary loss, current and future medical treatment expenditures, rehabilitation costs, mental distress and others.
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