If your injury took away your ability to enjoy the parts of life that once brought you joy, you may have a right to compensation. Suing for loss of enjoyment of life allows injury victims to recover for the personal toll their accident caused beyond physical pain or financial loss.
Georgia law recognizes that life is more than work and medical bills. When a serious injury robs you of the chance to participate in activities that once defined your daily life, it can cause lasting emotional harm.
Whether you can no longer coach your child’s team, go for a jog, or play an instrument, the law allows you to seek accountability for that loss. Our Athens, Georgia personal injury attorneys can assist you. Get started with a free consultation by calling (706) 354-4000 or filling out our online form today.
What Loss of Enjoyment of Life Means
Loss of enjoyment of life refers to the ways an injury can rob you of the daily experiences and activities that once brought you joy. These damages fall into the non-economic category, meaning they don’t come with receipts or fixed dollar amounts. Instead, they reflect the personal and emotional toll of losing parts of your routine that made life fulfilling.
Imagine you were a regular runner before your injury, but now, every step comes with pain or the risk of further harm. Maybe you used to hike with friends on weekends, but your mobility has changed, and those trips are no longer possible.
Even smaller joys like gardening, dancing, or playing with your kids can fall under this category when your injury strips your favorite activities from your life.
Common Injuries That Can Affect Quality of Life
Not every injury results in the loss of enjoyment of life, but many do. The more your injury interferes with daily living or physical function, the more likely it is to impact your ability to enjoy life as you once did.
Some examples of how injuries can impact your daily living include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries—loss of mobility, need for assistive devices, inability to engage in sports or travel
- Amputations—physical limitations, body image issues, loss of independence
- Traumatic brain injuries—cognitive changes, memory loss, trouble with concentration or emotional regulation
- Chronic pain conditions—discomfort that makes activities like hiking, biking, or dancing impossible
These injuries do more than disrupt your routine, they can alter your sense of self. When the hobbies or passions that once shaped your identity are suddenly out of reach, the emotional toll can be overwhelming.
Can You Sue for Loss of Enjoyment of Life?
You may be wondering if you can sue someone for loss of enjoyment of life? The answer is yes, but only as part of a broader personal injury case. To recover these damages, you must prove that another person’s negligence caused your injury and that the aftermath directly changed your quality of life.
You don’t file a separate lawsuit, you include it in your overall demand for non-economic compensation. Whether you’re pursuing a settlement or taking your case to court, your attorney must show how the injury affected your lifestyle, emotional well-being, and ability to find joy in everyday life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life Examples
To make this concept more concrete, here are a few realistic scenarios based on Georgia injury claims.
These are not actual case outcomes but are meant to help you see how these damages are assessed:
- Savannah teacher. A kindergarten teacher suffered permanent wrist damage after a car crash. She could still teach but could no longer play piano, which was a longtime hobby, so her claim included compensation for this loss.
- Augusta retiree. A 67-year-old who loved to fish lost partial use of one leg in a slip-and-fall accident. He now finds boating physically exhausting and has stopped fishing altogether, which contributed to his demand for non-economic damages.
- Atlanta father. A construction worker injured in a fall can no longer lift heavy objects or coach his daughter’s soccer team. His legal team used family photos and testimony to demonstrate what the injury had taken from his life.
Each of these examples of loss of enjoyment of life reflects the deeply personal nature of this type of loss. No two cases are identical. Your claim should reflect your life, your habits, and what you’ve lost.
How Do You Prove Loss of Enjoyment of Life?
You don’t need receipts to prove this type of loss, but you still need convincing evidence. Courts and insurance adjusters look for consistent, credible details that paint a clear picture of your life before the injury and how it has changed since.
Evidence may include the following:
- Medical records—documenting physical limitations, chronic pain, or psychological changes
- Personal testimony—explaining your daily struggles or missed activities in your own words
- Family or friend statements—describing how you’ve changed since the injury
- Photos or videos—showing your pre-injury lifestyle or routines
Your attorney may also recommend bringing in a mental health expert or occupational therapist to explain how your injury affects your mood, independence, or ability to function.
What You Can Recover in a Loss of Enjoyment of Life Lawsuit
Loss of enjoyment of life doesn’t come with a standard price tag. Unlike medical bills or lost wages, these damages are subjective and based on how your injury affects your ability to enjoy daily life.
Courts and insurers consider the severity of your condition, your age, your lifestyle before the injury, and how clearly you can show what’s changed.
A young adult who can no longer pursue a dance career may recover more than someone with fewer long-term effects. Strong, specific evidence gives your claim the best chance of success.
Has Your Life Been Forever Changed Because of Someone Else’s Negligence?
If your injury has changed the way you live, work, and enjoy life, you may be entitled to more than you realize.
At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., we help Georgia injury victims pursue fair compensation for the everyday joys they’ve lost, whether that means time with family, favorite activities, or basic independence.
Call us today at (706) 354-4000 or send an online message to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward with your life.
Loading...