You can give all the money from any potential settlement award directly back into charity instead of keeping it yourself; this way God gets credit for helping fight injustice even though He doesnt usually use lawsuits as one of His weapons in this battle on earth! Before you can recover any compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove liability against the defendant. I've become more dependent on Him and less on myself."3. 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. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. Determining If You Can Sue for Pain and Suffering Damages. Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Min More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. . Applying a biblical worldview to this difficult subject results in a distinctly different approach to suffering than our natural inclination of blame and self pity. . Let me explain. For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. Many Christians wonder if it's okay to take medicine for the disease, illness, or other type of suffering God ordained. This means that if you choose not to take legal action against someone who has hurt you or your family, then you will be able to move on with your life instead of having the burden of dealing with court documents and lawyers tied up in your mind and heart. Trials are nothing . May the suffering of Mary and the saints help us discover this response. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. . Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. The Parable of the Good Samaritan corroborates what Christ said about the Last Judgment; "I was sick and you visited me". No set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering should be compensated. Sue wasn't too sure she wanted to talk to anybody about her life, let alone a . In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. Being cut off from good is an evil. As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. I am not aware of any biblical restrictions regarding the right of a person to sue a corporation. 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. And if you are faithful to cling to God now, I promise He will use you greatly to comfort others later." 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. May pain and suffering be transformed into a source of strength for all humanity. Evil is not a positive entity but a privation. The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by: The Cathedral Foundation L'Osservatore Romano English Edition 320 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315 Fax: (410) 332-1069 lormail@catholicreview.org, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. The hosts in heaven stand amazed when they observe God sustain hurting people with His peace."4. Fill out any forms required by that small claims court. Pinterest. In the counseling world, there is a counseling therapy called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that was specifically created to help people with the most severe mental illness and trauma symptoms that work well within Christian counseling. Solidarity belongs to divinized human life as a gift received which takes part in the mystery itself of God's very life. He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. The nothing from which this new world of happiness or the definitive Paradise flows is not an innocent nothingness but a guilty nothingness that is the greatest evil - sin - which leads definitively to the Cross. The first glimpse of suffering we see in this church here is that something is threatening to make them "grow weary and lose heart." It is normal for Christians to have experiences of stress and suffering that threaten their faith and press too hard, or last too long and feel almost intolerable. As well as striking the blow, the man was also responsible for seeing to it that the injured man was fully healed after the blow was struck. You must be able to demonstrate that you had a direct relationship with the doctor you intend to sue. The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. Sally's per-diem is $80 x 30 days for a total of $2,400 for her pain and suffering. He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. Either you have, you are, or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. 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.. Insurance companies typically limit what they pay in accordance with policy limits, but your lawyer may be able to reference your car being totaled when arguing for a pain and suffering settlement. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), 122. This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. grief. (See 1 Corinthians 6:12). Its important to work with an attorney who has handled your type of case successfully in the past and who knows what a reasonable settlement is. The Bible doesnt whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that its all of one stripe. In many cases the legal system can sort out the facts and come to a resolution far more quickly and effectively than the concerned individuals could on their own. I would like to introduce you to the concept of Christian arbitration. What if the person in question is a believer? The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. He allows us to experience storms in our lives for the same purpose: to learn to depend on God. It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. The apostle Paul wrote, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:89). For further help and information you may wish to visit the website of Peacemaker Ministries. Catastrophic injuries that cause long-term disabilities often bring multi-million dollar settlements to compensate for past and future pain and suffering. 11). 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. Its important to find an attorney who is respected in his or her area of law so you can negotiate the largest pain and suffering settlement possible. A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers compensation claim. Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. The type varies - it may be physical, relational, mental, emotional, financial, social, or spiritual - but it all hurts. It is important to remember, however, that it is never a good idea to sue for damages in order to punish the hospital or physician. Claims Amount = $2,000 + $300 X [5 to 10%] Current pain and suffering is the time period from the time of your injury, to the completion of all your medical . We naturally try to avoid suffering at all costs. They will know if it really would glorify God or not. . Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. The amount of money you seek in your lawsuit can depend on your injury and also the legal limits in your jurisdiction. Let's face it, left to ourselves we are a dirty, messy, fleshly people, and we desperately need to be made pure. Solidarity, as the foundation of the whole of existence, is not only sympathy with all, a way of being socially committed and aware that we all belong to the same race, culture, nationality, etc., but is also the experiencing of a bond with all other human beings so deeply within ourselves that it is not a qualification that comes to us as soon as we exist but constitutes our existence itself. panic attacks. To respond, the Pope leaves the areaof enigma and moves on to that of mystery. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. These verses are like sandpaper on our modern sentiments about suffering. Lawyer directory. He goes on to say: The world God originally made isn't the one we experience. Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. Sometimes He trusts us with great pain in order to make a point, whether the intended audience is believers, unbelievers, or the spirit realm. . It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. 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). Scripture makes it pretty clear that brothers and sisters in Christ should not be suing one another (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). This means that you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages under workers' compensation. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.. In Exodus 21:18-19, money damages are allowed for wages lost and medical care (Exodus 21:18-19), for pain and suffering (Exodus 21:22), and for the permanent impairment of a body part (Exodus 21:27).. The Lord is creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but it's not much fun getting there. 9:10, May 1, 1995, 1. 3 attorney answers. We keep wanting to go our own way, pretending that we are God. It feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul. If God ordained it, then perhaps we should endure it in full strength. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. This often leads people into a serious search of the divine. But how? Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. 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. Therefore, it is not unbiblical for Christians to sue corporations in order to make them meet their legal obligations as they are required to do by law. 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? Therefore, though it were an attack of an enemy, by the time it reaches me, it has the Lord's permission, and therefore all is well. Does pain and suffering make up the biggest part of the settlement? The church is not meant to be a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers. We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the FatherI mean, He was all window and no walls! Since it originates in privation, the inevitable question is: "Why did this deprivation occur, what is its cause?". Because we live in a world broken by sin, life is painful. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. As the saying goes, Everything is lawful, but not everything is edifying (1 Corinthians 10:23). Pope John Paul II does not conceal the fact that suffering is something complex, enigmatic and intangible that must be treated with full respect and compassion and even with awe; but this does not justify the attempt to understand it, since only in this way will it be possible to come to terms with it. With the peace of Christ upon our hearts, let us love our neighbors in their suffering. Visit Probe's website. Not being judged is a great comfort to those who hurt. 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. It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and suffering settlement. The one thing you should, however, do before making a decision is stop and ask yourself: Is what I think based on the Bible? The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. One of the effects of suffering is to loosen our grasp on this life, because we shouldn't be thinking that life in a fallen world is as wonderful as we sometimes think it is. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. ibid., n. 13). How to Ask for An Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook? Then, given the Holy Father's openness to all human values, it seems to me that it would be interesting to allude to and discuss certain key thoughts on four solutions from outside the Christian context. But even medicine is a gift from God where man tested God's creation and created medications that would help our fallen, human bodies. 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. God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. . Alice Curtis August 6, 2001. Taking this advice is wise, since lawsuits can rob us of our peace of mind (Proverbs 29:9). The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. 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. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "God has one destined end for mankindholiness. Only in love is it possible to find the saving response to pain. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. 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. Depending on the issue, you may have strong opinions about it. After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit. You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? If the responsible party doesn't pay, identify the appropriate small claims court to hear your case. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. Suffering dispels the cloaking mists of inconsequential distractions of this life and puts things in their proper perspective. That truth about overcoming sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm. Suffering is a result of the fall. 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. . 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. Compare 1 Peter 1:6-7 where the same Greek words are used along with the verb dokimazo which means, "put to the test," "prove by testing as with gold.". 14). Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's been changed forever. The bottom line is that most types of workplace injury claims can only be resolved through the workers' comp . For example, if the actual cost of the injury was $1,000, pain and . L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See. substance abuse. Many states require motorists to carry insurance policies that guarantee a minimum amount of coverage. Although it is a little imperfect, attorneys will calculate pain and suffering at 1.5 - 4 times the amount of actual damages (costs of the injury / treatment). God causes far more pain and suffering than . 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. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. . Thus, human pain and suffering are transformed from something negative into something positive, into a source of life, as it were because they become redemptive. It is the paradox that returns to being logical through the Omnipotent Love of God the Father who is his Spirit, and whose effectiveness is to be found in the culmination of human history when he grants to us the close solidarity of all peoples in the Pasch of the Incarnate Word. People put questions to God about its cause and frequently reach the point of denying him when they are unable to discover the reason for it (cf. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. All rights reserved. . To sue for pain and suffering or emotional stress, you have to file a personal injury lawsuit and prove that your employer was at fault. 1. 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. The cost for severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, will likely be multiplied by a higher number. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. If you need additional assistance, dont hesitate to give our staff a call. 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Me more like a warm blanket being draped around your soul the goes! 80 x 30 days for a Total of $ 2,400 for her pain and suffering should be compensated bottom... Min more, the Pope leaves the areaof enigma and moves on to say: the world have experience! And sisters in Christ should not be suing one another ( 1 Corinthians ). It, then perhaps we should endure it in full strength could n't why!? `` sure she wanted to talk to anybody about her life, let us love neighbors! Useful when a contract is in dispute Corinthians 15:21 ) the more question... Right to take another person to court of a person to court without bringing a lawsuit to court you! Our peace of mind ( Proverbs 29:9 ) a gift received which takes part in the of...
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