When someone is hurt in an accident, the focus is often on physical injuries. But there’s another part that’s just as important—how the injury affects a person’s ability to enjoy life. This is called quality of life.
If your injury makes it hard to work, enjoy hobbies, care for your family, or live independently, your quality of life may be reduced. And in Georgia, that can be a key part of your personal injury case.
In this article, we explain what “quality of life” means, how it’s affected by injury, and how lawyers help injury victims get the compensation they deserve.
What Does “Quality of Life” Mean?
“Quality of life” is a term used to describe a person’s general well-being and satisfaction with life. It includes not just physical health, but also emotional and social aspects. In personal injury law, it means how much someone’s life has changed because of their injuries.
Factors That Affect Quality of Life
Some of the most common areas that make up someone’s quality of life include:
- Physical health – Can the person move around, exercise, or live without pain?
- Mental health – Has the injury caused depression, anxiety, or emotional distress?
- Daily activities – Is the person able to cook, clean, drive, or take care of themselves?
- Relationships – Can they still connect with friends and family or participate in social events?
- Work and hobbies – Has the injury stopped them from working or enjoying pastimes?
Each of these areas helps paint a full picture of how someone is doing after an injury.
Why Quality of Life Matters in Georgia Injury Law
In Georgia, personal injury lawsuits can ask for more than just medical bills. If your injury has damaged your ability to live a full life, your lawyer can seek compensation for reduced quality of life. This is part of what’s called non-economic damages.
Under Georgia Code § 51-12-2, injury victims can typically be awarded non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. A Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you determine what compensation may be available in your case and what limits apply, if any.
Quality of life means more than just surviving—it means living fully, and the law recognizes that.
How Injuries Can Impact Quality of Life
Accidents can lead to long-term pain or disability. Broken bones, back injuries, and nerve damage can stop people from doing the things they once enjoyed. Some victims may no longer be able to walk, play sports, or travel. This physical change often has a direct effect on how they feel about their lives.
Effects on Mental and Emotional Health
Being in an accident can cause emotional trauma. Victims may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or depression, which can make it harder to sleep, focus, or connect with others. In Georgia, emotional harm is taken seriously in personal injury cases.
Changes in Independence
If someone needs help getting dressed, bathing, or eating, they may feel embarrassed or frustrated. Losing independence is one of the biggest factors in a lower quality of life. It can lead to a feeling of hopelessness or worthlessness.
Strain on Relationships
Injuries can change how people interact with their family and friends. They may become more withdrawn or dependent. This can lead to arguments, isolation, or even the breakdown of marriages and friendships.
Work and Career Impact
An injury might mean losing a job, taking a lower-paying position, or not being able to work at all. Beyond the financial hit, this can profoundly affect a person’s sense of purpose and self-worth.
Injuries impact the body, mind, relationships, and personal freedom—all of which shape quality of life.
Examples of Quality of Life Assessment Methods
Doctors and mental health experts may be asked to evaluate how an injury affects a person’s abilities and emotions.
These professionals may use tools like:
- Pain scales
- Mental health screening
- Physical ability tests
- Functional independence measurements
- Personal testimony
The person who was injured can also share how their life has changed. This might include writing in a journal, describing changes in their routine, or talking about things they can no longer do.
Others close to the victim, like family or friends, may also explain how the person’s life has changed since the accident. Their insight can support the claim for reduced quality of life.
How Is Quality of Life Calculated?
Lawyers and courts don’t use a single formula to calculate quality of life damages. Instead, they look at the full picture. A skilled Georgia personal injury attorney can help show how your life has been impacted and what fair compensation should look like.
Contact Our Savannah Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
We know Georgia law and care about the people we serve. If you or your loved one’s quality of life has been affected by an accident, we’re here to help you get the justice you deserve. Quality of life matters—and so do you. Let us fight for the future you deserve. Contact Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers at (912) 335-1909 for a free consultation.
