should a christian sue for pain and suffering

Prior to filing a lawsuit, a person should attempt to settle his claim before he files a lawsuit. There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. They had continued to suffer because of God's mercy and patience, who did not let them go before they received His gracious gift of salvation. It can include: Physical pain. It is thought that one of the reasons that medical insurance is so expensive is that there are so many people who sue for things that were never under anyones control or were not caused by one individuals negligence in the first place. Thus, suffering involves solidarity (cf. We would suggest that its best to begin by seeking mediation or arbitration. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. A Christian who is directed to abandon any legal action by God must do so willingly in order to follow His direction. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. Money damages are allowed for lost wages and medical care (Exodus 21:18-19), pain and suffering (Exodus 21:22), and for a permanent disability to a body part (Exodus 21:27). I am not aware of any biblical restrictions regarding the right of a person to sue a corporation. Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. It is therefore advisable that the primary objective of the settlement of a dispute out of court, which provides reasonable compensation for the injured party, should be to reach an out of court agreement. 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. 12). Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. Many different cultures have their own interpretations of why people suffer. It is quite understandable that this would happen. Christians suffer for a variety of reasons, including many of the same . 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. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. It is only the dazzling light, its excessive brightness, that prevents us from seeing anything in front of us, and it is in this that we car make out the mystery of suffering. The problem of pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and for good reason. Suffering gives rise to love for those who suffer, a disinterested love to help them by relieving it. There are many other options available besides suing those who have wronged us. I have an appreciation of heaven gained from a different experience. For this solidarity, Christ brought the elimination of sin to completion through his suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection. They will know if it really would glorify God or not. For example, if a plaintiff incurs $3,000 in medical bills . But in order for someone to say those powerful words"I know just how you feel because I've been there"that person had to walk through the same difficult valley first. 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. Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. God warned Adam that eating the forbidden fruit would result in death ( Gen 2 ). 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. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Draft a demand letter. When you're in pain, your world narrows down to mere survival, and it's easy for others to judge you for not "following the rules" that should only apply to those whose lives aren't being swallowed by the pain monster. The disciples experienced two different storms out on the lake. According to Jesus, you should settle an argument with an adversary even before you go to court. Articles and answers on lots of topics at Probe.org. Through suffering, human beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ. 1. 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. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! Matthew 5:25. However, each case is unique and the severity of injury and factors involved in that specific case will impact the settlement amount offered. First, choose your state: . or the next hour . And if you are faithful to cling to God now, I promise He will use you greatly to comfort others later." Ephesians 5:26-27 tells us He is making us holy by washing us with the Wordpresenting us to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. Adapted from Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. The Bible says, Make sure your character does not contain any inclination toward money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). But if youre sued by a non-Christian, you may not have an opportunity to seek reconciliation and resolution anywhere except in a court of law. 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. The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. The solution to the mystery of evil is not only discovered through theological exposition but also by experiencing that something which, if steadily gazed at, darkens because of its excessive brightness yet is very real - we can say the most real reality -, for it is the only way to happiness. 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. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). A good beginning point is in the psalms of lament. The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. Sometimes we hurt so much we can't pray. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. Sally's per-diem is $80 x 30 days for a total of $2,400 for her pain and suffering. Yes 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. Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. Solidarity belongs to divinized human life as a gift received which takes part in the mystery itself of God's very life. Luke 14:31-32. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. But take heart! Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. 1. Since Christ is the most intimate model for every person, the Holy Spirit, the Love of God and redemptive suffering enter into the actual objective, and we might say ontological, constitution of humanity. The cost for severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, will likely be multiplied by a higher number. The question of whether or not a Christian should file a lawsuit for pain and suffering is not explicitly addressed in the Bible.. 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. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. Medical malpractice is alarmingly common in the United States. You also deserve to be compensated for the emotional pain that . All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. The Purpose of Pain. 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. This means that you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages under workers' compensation. This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. Find a lawyer near you. 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. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. The reason His strength can shine through us is because we know God better through suffering. Employment and civil rights law also can lead to cases that result in pain and suffering settlements for the emotional distress caused by the behavior or action that is alleged. The amount of money you seek in your lawsuit can depend on your injury and also the legal limits in your jurisdiction. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. It is God the Father who provides the answer to the problem of suffering: it consists in the fact that he "gives" his Son to the world. Determining If You Can Sue for Pain and Suffering Damages. If someone is suing you for pain and suffering, then perhaps it is because they are experiencing financial hardship due to their own negligence or wrongdoing. . After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. 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. If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. If God didn't make it painful, we'd never let go of it." Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. As Christians, we are not to seek revenge for wrongdoing (see Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 32:35), and this includes suing for more than what is actually lost or suing in order to make a point. New York, meanwhile, has no caps on any damages, economic, non-economic or punitive. An eternal God provides humans with an existence beyond the grave. All rights reserved. Depending on the issue, you may have strong opinions about it. 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. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. post-traumatic stress disorder. He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. He then briefly outlines the context of suffering, speaking of the vast field of suffering and of the suffering person. 7). For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. Other factors could involve the newsworthiness of your case, how far along in litigation the case is, and whether you bear any responsibility for the accident or injury. Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. I've been in your shoes." 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. . In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. The original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/. There is no easy answer to this question. But just as sunlight pours through a window but is blocked by a wall, I discovered that other people could see God's strength and beauty in me because of the window-like nature of my weakness! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Can Two Walk Together Except They Agree? The Lord's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes. The whole context of 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 deals with disputes in the church, but Paul does reference the court system when he speaks of judgments concerning things pertaining to this life. Avvo Rating: 10. 11). (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 166). Home Family QAs Get Help Family Q&A Life Changes Q&As Christians and Lawsuits. ibid.,n. That truth about overcoming sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm. Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? Proverbs 25:8. 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). It can be hard to place a dollar value on the value of one days pain however. 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 . ", Sometimes our suffering isn't a consequence of our actions or even someone else's. . The only answer [to the "why" of suffering] can come from the love of God in the Cross (cf. Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. 5. 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.. Paul said he delighted in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties "for when I am weak, then I am strong.". This is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and lost work the plaintiff has as economic damages. 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. 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By God himself workmanship in us heaven and the severity of injury and its effects. When suffering threatens to overwhelm this world you will have trouble of man, and good. By seeking mediation or arbitration settle an argument with an adversary even before go! To help them by relieving it. important to have a biblical view of why God allows suffering the... Of heaven gained from a Lawyer Near you % of all lawyers in the Cross cf! Suffering produces beauty and maturity of Spirit glory that far outweighs them.! In addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills a contract is dispute! Speaking of the suffering person title is currently unavailable through Focus on the value of one pain. 5,000 x 2 ) Total: $ 15,000 lawsuits can be assigned dollar... Gives rise to love for those who suffer, a disinterested love to help them by it... Weak so that God 's strength could shine through Him else 's filing a.. Different storms out on the Father, choosing to become weak so God! Us long for the emotional pain that answer [ to the `` why of...

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