An injury doesn’t only have to do with the pain that one suffers or the financial damages that a person incurs. It’s about the things that he or she cannot do, like chasing the kids around the backyard, playing in the weekly soccer team, or even enjoying gardening during sunny days. THESE are the moments that define who you are, and when they are stripped from you, it is a loss that goes beyond the monetary value.
In personal injury cases, this is called “loss of enjoyment of life”. It is the legal definition of the impact of the loss of the ability to engage in activities one enjoys.
At Kitchel Law, this is something we encounter regularly with our clients, and we understand that this loss is never quantifiable.
In this article, we will define what loss of enjoyment of life is, how it is assessed, and why this loss has to be taken into consideration in order to adequately compensate our clients.
What Does Loss of Enjoyment of Life Look Like?
The loss of enjoyment of life is the effect that your injury has had on your life, not only on the physical but on the emotional and personal aspects as well.
Here’s a simple example:
- Before your accident, you may have been the parent cheering (and maybe coaching) from the sidelines at your child’s soccer games. Now after the accident, you’re sidelined yourself, struggling to sit through a match because of back pain.
- It could be that you enjoyed hiking, baking or simply traveling. Now, you’ve had to give those things up—or can only enjoy them in limited, frustrating ways.
This is not the same as “pain and suffering,” which focuses on the physical and emotional pain caused by the injury itself. Loss of enjoyment is specifically about how these losses have impacted the overall quality of life.
How Loss of Enjoyment of Life Is Evaluated
One of the challenges with loss of enjoyment of life is that it’s deeply personal and subjective. Unlike medical bills or lost wages, there’s no receipt or invoice to point to. Instead, it’s about painting a clear picture of how your life has changed.
Factors That Are Considered:
- The Severity of Your Injury: Serious, long-term injuries often have a bigger impact on your ability to enjoy life. For example, a spinal cord injury can limit mobility in ways that affect nearly every part of your day.
- Daily Life and Activities: How has your injury impacted your hobbies, family life, or simple routines? Whether it’s no longer being able to bike on the weekends or struggling to stand long enough to cook dinner, these losses matter.
- Personal Testimony: Your story matters. Sharing how your life has changed—along with input from family, friends, or medical professionals—helps to paint the full picture of your loss.
- Your Partner’s Perspective: Personal injuries impact families. Partners see things that are sometimes in our blind spots. We make sure to involve the people close to you when we think we need an outside perspective on how your injury has impacted you.
Evidence to Support Your Claim
Because this type of damage is so personal, it’s not enough to say, “My life has changed.” You need to show it.
Here’s What Can Help Prove Your Claim:
- Medical Records: Your medical records provide a foundation, showing the severity of your injury and how it impacts you physically.
- Your Own Story: Keeping a journal about the daily struggles and missed moments can be powerful. Talk about what you’ve lost, how it feels, and how it’s changed your life.
- Photos or Videos: Visual evidence—like pictures of you enjoying hobbies before the injury—can be incredibly compelling. Compare those with what you can (or can’t) do now.
- Expert Testimony: Input from doctors, therapists, or psychologists can help explain the emotional and long-term consequences of your injury.
In short, proving loss of enjoyment of life is about creating a real and relatable picture of your experience.
Why Loss of Enjoyment of Life Matters in Personal Injury Claims
When it comes to compensation in personal injury suits, we tend to only consider certain aspects such as medical bills or loss of income. But your injury cannot be reduced to the numbers – it affects you emotionally, your daily schedule, and the things that bring value to your life.
The loss of enjoyment of life is an acknowledgment of the psychological and personal effects of the injury. It is an understanding that you not only lost time or a source of income but also moments and it should be appreciated.
How It’s Calculated
Because loss of enjoyment of life doesn’t have a set price tag, courts, and insurers use a few different methods to estimate its value. This is state-specific. DC, Maryland, and Virginia treat damages differently.
- Multiplier Method: Your economic damages (like medical bills) are multiplied by a number that reflects the severity of your injury.
- Per Diem Method: A daily dollar amount is assigned to the time you’ve lived with—and will continue to live with—the loss.
- Evidence-Based Assessment: Testimonies, photos, and other evidence are used to determine a fair amount.
While there’s no exact formula, the goal is to account for the emotional and psychological harm caused by your injury.
Challenges in Proving Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Proving loss of enjoyment of life is one of the hardest parts of a personal injury case. Why? Because it’s so personal. Insurance companies often argue that the impact of your injury isn’t as bad as you say it is—or that you’re exaggerating.
Here’s what makes this tricky:
- Subjectivity: What’s devastating for one person might not be for another. For example, losing the ability to garden might seem minor to an outsider—but to someone who loves it, it’s a huge loss.
- Skepticism: Insurers will look for ways to minimize this claim. Without strong evidence, they might dismiss it altogether.
How to Avoid Common Mistakes
- Keep an eye on the specifics of how your life has changed. Saying, “I can’t enjoy life anymore,” isn’t enough. Nor is “eh, it’s just not the same.” Explain what’s changed—like not being able to bike with your kids on the Mount Vernon Trail. Being afraid to play pick-up soccer. Losing an hour and a half of your day every day because now you metro because you are afraid to ride a bike. All of this is compensable.
- Consistency. We will be asking probing questions to make sure your story is consistent and credible. Any inconsistencies—whether in testimony, medical records, or social media—can hurt your credibility.
- Work with experts who can provide clear, objective explanations of your loss.
Tips for Strengthening Your Claim for Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Pursuing a claim for the loss of enjoyment of life is about more than just seeking compensation—it’s about ensuring your story is heard and recognized. To strengthen your claim and increase your chances of a fair settlement or verdict, preparation, and attention to detail are key. Here are some essential tips to build a compelling case:
1. Document Every Detail of Your Experience
Strong documentation is the foundation of any successful personal injury claim. When it comes to loss of enjoyment of life, providing a clear picture of how your injury has impacted your day-to-day activities is critical.
- Keep a Journal: Regularly document how your injury affects your daily life. Note activities you can no longer do, emotional struggles, and moments where your injury directly prevents you from enjoying life as you once did.
- Use Photos and Videos: Visual evidence can be incredibly impactful. Photos or videos showing you engaging in activities before the injury, compared to what you can do now, can highlight the extent of your loss.
- Activity Logs: Create a detailed list of events, hobbies, or tasks you can no longer participate in, such as recreational sports, family outings, or personal hobbies like gardening or dancing.
2. Leverage Expert Witnesses
Expert testimony can provide an objective and credible evaluation of your losses. These professionals can support your claim by explaining the physical, emotional, and long-term consequences of your injury:
- Psychologists or Therapists: They can speak to the emotional toll, such as depression or anxiety, that often accompanies a loss of enjoyment of life.
- Physical Therapists: They can describe the physical limitations you face and how these directly impact your ability to engage in activities.
- Life Care Planners: These experts assess how your injuries will affect your lifestyle and quality of life in the future, creating a comprehensive picture of your losses.
3. Avoid Common Mistakes
Even with a strong case, certain missteps can weaken your claim. Here’s what to avoid:
- Vague or General Claims: Instead of broad statements like “I can’t enjoy life anymore,” be specific about the exact activities you’ve lost and how this impacts your well-being.
- Inconsistent Testimony: Ensure your account of the injury’s impact remains consistent across medical records, personal statements, and any testimony from friends or family.
- Social Media Pitfalls: Be cautious about what you post online. Photos or comments that contradict your claim (e.g., showing you engaging in activities you’ve said you can’t do) can harm your credibility.
4. Work with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Navigating the complexities of loss of enjoyment of life claims requires a skilled attorney who understands the nuances of these cases.
At Kitchel Law, we:
- Thoroughly Document Your Case: We’ll help you gather the evidence and testimony needed to present a compelling argument.
- Bring in the Right Experts: Our network of trusted professionals, including medical and psychological experts, will provide the support your claim needs.
- Anticipate Defense Tactics: We know how insurance companies and defense attorneys operate, and we’ll build your case to counter their efforts to minimize your damages.
Contact Kitchel Law Today
At Kitchel Law, we know that losing the ability to enjoy life’s simplest moments—whether it’s playing with your kids, hiking your favorite trails, or just living without pain—can feel like an invisible loss. But to us, it’s not invisible. It’s real, and it matters.
With years of experience serving clients in Virginia and Washington, DC, we’ve earned a reputation for compassionate support and powerful advocacy. Recognized as a Super Lawyer, awarded the AV Preeminent Rating for legal excellence and ethics, and named a Top Personal Injury Attorney by Northern Virginia Magazine, we fight tirelessly to ensure our clients’ voices are heard—and their losses are recognized.
Your life may have changed, but your future still matters. Let us handle the insurance companies, gather the evidence, and build a strong case for the compensation you deserve—so you can focus on rebuilding your life.
Call us today for a free consultation at 202-949-7109 or fill out the form below.
At Kitchel Law, we stand with you—because your story deserves to be heard.