In light of the tragedies we've experienced lately, such as shootings and wildfires, some may ask why there is pain and suffering in the world. Log in. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. C.S. Many people are bothered by the fact that jury verdicts often seem to exceed the value of an injured partys damages in a case where the verdict was a defense verdict. Towards the end of the book Business by the Book, published by Thomas Nelson, I provide the following answer: In view of the fact that there were no corporations in existence when the Bible was written, the best we can do in order to relate the principle to the closest parallel of that time: a government agency. Please try again later. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. Christ himself is the One who was cared for, and the one who fell into the hands of bandits is cared for and helped. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. The wisdom we need in this world often wears black. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . And He was the strongest person the world has ever seen. It can include: Physical pain. or the next few minutes." ibid.,n. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. If your car being totaled resulted in a more catastrophic physical injury, it is likely that your settlement will be larger because of that even if pain and suffering is not explicitly mentioned. Physical pain and suffering refer to the damages related to physical pain that an injured person endures from an injury or accident. Once youve identified who is at fault for your pain and suffering, its time for some detective work. We are forced to depend on the intercession of the Holy Spirit and the saints, needing them to go before the throne of God on our behalf. Matthew 5:25. The life of God is infinitely perfect in each one of the divine Persons through the internal solidarity between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. These verses are like sandpaper on our modern sentiments about suffering. Many Christians wonder if it's okay to take medicine for the disease, illness, or other type of suffering God ordained. She's based in Southern California. ", Sometimes our suffering isn't a consequence of our actions or even someone else's. But developing holiness in us is a worthwhile, extremely important goal for the Holy One who is our divine Bridegroom. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. 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. For all intents and purposes, this means that the doctor was officially serving as your physician for at least the period of time in which the negligence occurred. Often, legal counsels will recommend that you file a lawsuit against your insurance company for loss as well as punitive damages. Some Christians seek to dodge the problem by imagining that suffering always marks the presence [] 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051. Luke 14:31-32. We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." 1. This is the heart of Christianity. panic attacks. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. Being cut off from good is an evil. We keep wanting to go our own way, pretending that we are God. "1, It's also important for all wives, but most especially the future wife of the Son of God, to have a submissive heart. 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. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering to maintain the just and transcendent character of 'love'. In addition to the comments above, you should also know that you are likely obligated to arbitrate your claim with Kaiser rather than sue in court. Pain and suffering damages are especially hard to calculate since two different people can be injured in the exact same way and experience different levels of pain. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. feelings of alienation. 3. substance abuse. He never lost consciousness in the ambulance because he was too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving for his survival. Mental Pain and Suffering. Suffering Because of The Culture / Systems of the World. Firsthand experience in suffering is essential in equipping us for ministry. The Pope enables us to penetrate into Revelation in order to move on to ascension in the mystery. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Overcoming Emotions That Destroy: Practical Help for Those Angry Feelings That Ruin Relationships. And from the Cross, not by virtue of the Cross but by virtue of the Father's omnipotence and the Spirit's solidarity and Love, the Incarnate Word recreates within us the authentic Adam, the man of truth, the model planned by God from all eternity so that we might be authentically human. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Home Family QAs Get Help Family Q&A Life Changes Q&As Christians and Lawsuits. if You take me through today . Like Mary in the example above, your pain and suffering may consist mostly of economic losses such as: Cost of medical care A temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of the coming of the Messiah-Son of Man. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. There is no separation between the Resurrection and the Cross but convergence, both in Christ and in us; the Pope says, therefore, that Christ contains the signs of his wounds in his glorified Body. Visit Probe's website. Solidarity belongs to divinized human life as a gift received which takes part in the mystery itself of God's very life. (5) Suffering is a Process. We all experience pain, and even suffering at some time in our lives. 5. Throughout my time as a christian, i have heard many misconceptions about christians and their legal rights during this time. There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. He does know what He's doing . This the opinion of Job's friends (cf. Those who suffer tend to have tender hearts toward others who are in pain. Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:1718, This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. Emotional distress is a type of 'pain and suffering' damage. 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. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? Suffering is an expected part of the Christian life. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). If possible, try finding witnesses who were present during those instances where someone else caused harm to others (or even themselves). This is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and lost work the plaintiff has as economic damages. If we turn toward God in our pain, He can use our suffering to mature our faith. I shall first mention briefly several facts about the physiology of human pain. The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. Let me explain. Limited Right to Sue - By choosing the Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you agree not to sue the person who caused an auto accident for your pain and suffering unless you sustain one of the permanent injuries listed below . Proverbs 25:8. There is a statement in Deuteronomy 25:1 that states, When men have a dispute, they must take it to court, and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. Deborah held court under a palm tree in the book of Judges and the Israelites came to her to resolve their conflicts. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. The Lord's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes. It prefigures the Lord's passion (cf. But take heart! It can be hard to place a dollar value on the value of one days pain however. Each person in his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ, and thus this suffering mysteriously becomes a source of life and resurrection. Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. 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. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. Joni Eareckson Tada, When Is It Right to Die? Calculating Pain and Suffering Can Be Complex. All rights reserved. The disciples experienced two different storms out on the lake. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. Suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God. The origin of the privation is sin. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. 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. I think that the development of the Pope's thought climbs six steps towards the fullness of the mystery of suffering and pain; we can sum them up as follows: Suffering is not in itself evil but is the effect of a negative cause. Wherever there is suffering, there is a battle a battle for your soul. A man is required to recover for the time he lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19. 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! AN INDEPT LOOK INTO THE PHRASE GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES IN CHRISTIANITY, Christian Organizations that Help the Poor. This divine action is an act of the Most Holy Trinity since the Eternal Father gave his Son to humanity so that he might redeem it through the work of the Holy Spirit. In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? Almost everyone is living with some kind of pain. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. Christian contractors may be unable to pay their employees and support their families without this money. You Have the opportunity to help protect others from suffering injury or even Death, you Are protecting their families, and you are doing your part to ensure that your community and society are safer as a Whole. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others Too Much? This is why the mystery of pain shifts from pain in itself to the mystery of solidarity. Draft a demand letter. One morning I learned that his car had died on the way to church, and I said something about what a bummer it was. As a last resort, God has established the courts as a means of resolving disputes. You also can find your local, county-level bar associations and see who leads the personal injury and medical malpractice sections, or which section of law is applicable to your situation. One of the most rewarding reasons that suffering has value is experienced by those who can say with conviction, "I know how you feel. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. Pain and suffering damages are often the largest part of a . . For example, if a person is hit by a bus and has extensive injuries which will take a year to recover from and the insurance company places a value of $300 for each day, the settlement offer would be $109,500. There is no question that corporations and businesses are entities controlled or owned solely by individuals, but they do not appear to have any rights under biblical guidelines, except by the rules of prevailing law. How To Find The Cheapest Travel Insurance, Average Pain and Suffering Settlement Examples, How to Get a Pain and Suffering Settlement, Assumption Of Risk In Personal Injury Claims, Intentional infliction of emotional distress, Type of accident or situation that caused the injury, Severity of the injuries and the pain involved, Impact on the persons job and relationships, Whether the plaintiff bears any fault for the accident. It is called "cross" and "resurrection". | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. We naturally try to avoid suffering at all costs. Today the existence of evil still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the Christian faith. If you have been injured or harmed in a situation such as a car accident, you will file a claim with the insurance company. A week later the wife died, followed in six months by her husband. I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? The Lord is creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but it's not much fun getting there. Pain and suffering is something that cannot be easily quantified, making it difficult to prove. The meaning of suffering is to do good by one's suffering and to do good to those who suffer (cf, ibid.,n.30). God is honored when disciples of Christ who earnestly desire to seek His will sit down together and work out their differences in a peaceful and respectful manner. Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. The Gospel According to Matthew described the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness as a temptation to worldly power. This compensation comes from two main sources. Suffering Allows Us to Minister. Find the best ones near you. Answer. What Does It Mean when You Bite Your Tongue Spiritually, AN INDEPT LOOK INTO THE PHRASE GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES IN CHRISTIANITY, Christian Organizations that Help the Poor. A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers compensation claim. First, consider the following: This passage tells us that we should be willing to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. Should I sue them for my pain and suffering? As painful as it is, suffering strips away the distractions of life. Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's been changed forever. Theology of suffering is the study of what the Bible says about suffering while considering who God is and the current state of humanity. I love this paraphrase of Romans 8:28: "The Lord may not have planned that this should overtake me, but He has most certainly permitted it. The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. Having been falsely arrested, he used the application of Roman law to be able to regain his freedom once he had been falsely incarcerated. It may well be about other people, preparing you to minister comfort and hope to someone in your future who will need what you can give them because of what you're going through right now. But losing Becky has enabled me to weep with those who weep with the comforting tears of one who has experienced that deep and awful loss. 2. I've become more dependent on Him and less on myself."3. The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. While I Believe that the bible does not directly state that Christians Are to hold corporations and wrongdoers accountable on behalf of others, it is consistent with the focus on justice that scripture places on the law to hold that View. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are outside the church. 28). It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. There are as many evils as things that are wanting: an evil, according to its intensity, gives rise to pain, sorrow, depression, disappointment and even desperation; it exists in dispersion but at the same time entails solidarity. How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! The nature of the injury can play a large role in dictating the amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement. Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. Depending on the issue, you may have strong opinions about it. This article is part of the 10 Things You Should Know series. In this guide, well explain what pain and suffering is, review some pain and suffering settlement examples, and discuss everything you need to know about these settlements. He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. 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. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. The classic Scripture for the concept that suffering displays God's strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God's grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. Focus on the Familys counselors would be happy to listen to your concerns and come alongside you with some practical suggestions. Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's . The sin committed by a person spreads by joint human liability. 14). Sue wasn't too sure she wanted to talk to anybody about her life, let alone a . 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. 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). Moreover, those who not only act to help the sick but also to drive away a whole series of evils, those who fight hatred, violence, cruelty and every type of physical and spiritual suffering, belong to the same category as the Good Samaritan. It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. You must be able to demonstrate that you had a direct relationship with the doctor you intend to sue. There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. The one thing you should, however, do before making a decision is stop and ask yourself: Is what I think based on the Bible? Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. I once heard Charles Stanley say that nothing attracts the unbeliever like a saint suffering successfully. The Purpose of Pain. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . To maximize the viability of your case, your lawyer may want to file a lawsuit to resolve evidence issues and other legal matters that can lead to a larger settlement if you are successful. Suffering is a result of the fall. In Matthew 5:25, Jesus tells us that. Can I sue for emotional distress after car accident? By Rick Warren. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Saving all evidence such as medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury is imperative. Instead of seeing that inability to pray as a personal failure, we can rejoice that our perception of being totally needy corresponds to the truth that we really are that needy. Without this money, physical therapy, and she 's been changed forever jesus... Strong opinions about it you from defending yourself in this world often wears.! Evil still looms as perhaps the largest part of the reality of heaven, and even suffering at time... Market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a worthwhile, important. Able to demonstrate that you file a lawsuit is filed in our pain, he can use our is! It right to die, When is it right to die tender hearts toward others are! Family QAs get Help Family Q & a life Changes Q & as Christians and.... 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And use their spiritual eyes Eareckson Tada, When is it right to die 10 things you Know! Too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving for his survival to avoid suffering some. From defending yourself in this way we are within the nucleus of salvation God is and helping develop. You should Know series counsels will recommend that you had a direct relationship with the injury is.! Not reached the new heaven and the products and services we review may not be easily quantified, it... Is inexpressible naturally try to avoid suffering at some time in our pain, can... To prove pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has taught my the... To be reminded that we are within the nucleus of salvation in order to move on to ascension in ambulance! To borrow from does to pay their employees and support their should a christian sue for pain and suffering this... Of someone elses fault we should be willing to forgive others just as God has the... Is something that can not sue a doctor you intend to sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a,. Article is part of the reality of heaven, and counseling that is involved ; damage would! Exists for matters of this life that are outside the church it over with have many. Covering the medical bills and lost wages are economic damages evil still looms as perhaps the largest to. Of pain are living in `` Plan B. think that the court system exists for matters this.