The Importance of Assessing the Impact on Activities of Daily Living in Serious Injury Cases

Understanding the Full Scope of Monetary Damages in Illinois

When someone suffers a serious injury due to an accident, the immediate focus often falls on the physical harm and the associated medical expenses. However, a crucial aspect of assessing damages in a personal injury case involves understanding how the injury has impacted the victim’s ability to perform their activities of daily living (ADLs). These activities, which encompass the basic tasks of everyday life, are often taken for granted until an injury disrupts them. In Illinois, ensuring that the full impact of an injury on an individual’s daily life is properly evaluated is vital for securing fair compensation.

What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the essential tasks that individuals perform daily to maintain their independence and well-being. These include:

• Personal Hygiene: Tasks such as bathing, grooming, and brushing teeth.
• Dressing: The ability to choose appropriate clothing and dress oneself.
• Eating: The capacity to feed oneself, whether preparing food or simply bringing food to the mouth.
• Mobility: Moving from one place to another, including walking, getting out of bed, and sitting down.
• Toileting: The ability to use the restroom independently.

In addition to these basic ADLs, there are also Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) that involve more complex tasks, such as managing finances, preparing meals, using transportation, and maintaining a household. The ability to perform these activities is often critical to maintaining a certain quality of life.

The Impact of Serious Injuries on ADLs

When an individual suffers a serious injury, their ability to perform ADLs and IADLs can be significantly impaired. For example:

• Mobility impairments due to leg fractures or spinal cord injuries may prevent a person from walking, getting in and out of bed, or even moving around their home without assistance.
• Upper body injuries, such as broken arms or severe shoulder injuries, can make it difficult to perform tasks like dressing, cooking, or personal grooming.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can affect cognitive functions, making it challenging to manage finances, remember daily tasks, or even communicate effectively with others.

The loss of independence and the need for assistance with these daily tasks can be one of the most devastating consequences of a serious injury. This impact goes beyond the physical pain and extends into the emotional and psychological realms, as individuals may struggle with feelings of frustration, dependency, and loss of dignity.

“A serious injury steals your good health and fitness—something we all strive to maintain. It robs you of your independence and the ability to perform even the most basic tasks of daily life.” – John J. Malm

Why ADLs Are Critical in Assessing Damages

In personal injury cases, it is essential to consider the full scope of how an injury affects an individual’s life. This includes not only the obvious physical injuries but also the less visible, but equally important, loss of ability to perform ADLs.

Why is this important? Because the inability to perform daily tasks can lead to significant additional costs, such as:

• Home modifications to accommodate mobility limitations, such as installing ramps, grab bars, or stair lifts.
• Hiring home health aides or caregivers to assist with daily tasks that the injured person can no longer perform independently.
• Long-term medical care and rehabilitation to help the injured person regain some or all of their lost abilities.

Moreover, the impact on ADLs is a key factor in calculating pain and suffering damages. The emotional toll of losing independence, coupled with the ongoing struggle to adapt to new limitations, can significantly increase the non-economic damages in a personal injury claim.

Real-Life Example: The Hidden Costs of a Spinal Injury

Consider a case where an individual has suffered a spinal injury in a car accident, rendering them unable to walk. Initially, the focus might be on the immediate medical expenses, such as surgery and hospitalization. However, the long-term impact on the individual’s ADLs becomes evident when they require a wheelchair, home modifications, and daily assistance with personal care. The injury not only changes their daily routine but also diminishes their quality of life, leading to substantial additional damages beyond the initial medical bills.

How can we put a price on the loss of independence and the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures? The answer lies in a comprehensive assessment of all the ways the injury has affected the victim’s daily life. This involves not just adding up the medical bills, but also considering the emotional and psychological toll of losing independence, the practical costs of requiring assistance, and the diminished ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures—like taking a walk, cooking a meal, or even getting dressed without help. These factors must be carefully evaluated to ensure that the compensation reflects the true, long-term impact of the injury.

Relevant Case Types Where ADLs Are Critical

Understanding the impact of an injury on ADLs is crucial in various types of personal injury cases, including:

• Car Accidents: Where spinal injuries, fractures, and other severe injuries can drastically reduce a person’s independence.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Which often result in significant lower extremity injuries that impair mobility.
• Bicycle Accidents: Where cyclists can suffer from severe injuries that affect their ability to perform daily tasks.
• Slip and Fall / Premises Liability: Where head, back, and limb injuries can limit a person’s ability to live independently.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Which can profoundly impact cognitive and physical abilities, affecting nearly every aspect of daily living.

The Comprehensive Approach to Assessing Damages

Assessing the impact on an individual’s activities of daily living is crucial for fully understanding the extent of damages in a serious injury case. By taking into account the loss of independence and the need for ongoing care, attorneys can ensure that victims receive fair compensation that reflects the true cost of their injuries.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the importance of evaluating every aspect of an injury’s impact on our clients’ lives. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in Naperville, St. Charles, or anywhere in Illinois, contact the dedicated Illinois personal injury lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. We are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve, including the costs associated with the loss of your daily independence.