Trials are nothing . In some states, awards for non-monetary damages (such as pain and suffering) are capped at a certain amount. Christian K. Lassen II View Profile . No wonder suffering hurts! Paul writes, "We know that all things work . ibid., n. 9). Being cut off from good is an evil. 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 is required of you, however, to treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (i.e., a nonbeliever) if he refuses to listen to the church. For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. Suffering gives rise to love for those who suffer, a disinterested love to help them by relieving it. It is a joyful, shining mystery and full of happiness. I Believe This is especially true if you are a Christian. Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. The Lord is creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but it's not much fun getting there. 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. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. 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! They may also target those who are less educated or financially struggling, knowing that they will be more likely to take legal action. And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? And He was the strongest person the world has ever seen. The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. California, for example, limits non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $250,000 in malpractice suits. The Parable of the Good Samaritan corroborates what Christ said about the Last Judgment; "I was sick and you visited me". But how? All Christians suffer. Were on a mission to change that. Searching the Internet for attorneys can produce too many results to manage, but you can look at your state bar website for attorney directories or referral services. Draft a demand letter. For we find ourselves in intimacy with the Blessed Trinity, in the loving reality of the unity of the Triune God and in the depths of this mystery. Thanks to the Greek language however, a distinction is made particularly in the New Testament between suffering and evil. Only by living the mystery of Christian suffering can we get an idea of what suffering means and, as the Pope said previously, transcend it and overcome it. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. With all this said, it is important to remember that you need to ask yourself if you would want to be forgiven by God if you were in trouble? This compensation comes from two main sources. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. The multiplier is chosen depending on factors such as: For example, if a person is involved in a car accident and suffers whiplash, a concussion, and a broken arm, their medical bills could total $5,000. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. We naturally try to avoid suffering at all costs. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. 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. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. 12). You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. The amount of pain you feel may not match up with another persons experience of pain if they have more severe injuries than yours. The simple answer is yessometimes. Love is the only key to deciphering the enigma of pain and suffering: love that can transform nothingness into full reality. To determine whether you can sue for pain and suffering damages, you must first look at liability in your case. 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 . Unlimited Right to Sue - Under the No Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you retain the right to sue the person who caused an auto accident for pain and suffering for any injury. Luke 14:31-32. It's difficult to put a value on a person's mental and emotional well-being because it's purely subjective. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. 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. ibid.,n. Being cut off from good is an evil. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. Does pain and suffering make up the biggest part of the settlement? Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's been changed forever. Its important to work with an attorney who has handled your type of case successfully in the past and who knows what a reasonable settlement is. 5. It is also clear from the context of Acts 16:37 that he uses the implied threat of using that law as a means of punishing those who oppose him. Some survivors, like Sue, wonder how there could be a God who would allow an innocent child to endure such pain and suffering, and others see no meaning or purpose in life. Deprivation does not demand a positive cause but the search for its origin. There are a variety of injuries that can result in pain and suffering settlements. If you can see the purpose behind the pain, you can find the way out of this lie. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. 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. In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. we just need to trust Him. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. While our natural reaction to pain is to avoid it, get rid of it, or numb it; we need to realize that God allows pain. He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? 7). That can dictate the average amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement, with no state requiring less than $10,000 in coverage for bodily injury. 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. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), 122. A week later the wife died, followed in six months by her husband. Marine Corps recruiter Randy Norfleet survived the Oklahoma City bombing despite losing 40 percent of his blood and needing 250 stitches to close his wounds. 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. Is it right for a Christian to sue? 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. 2. . After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. 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. Sometimes an attorneys reputation can help as much as the facts of the case, but it is important to discuss compensation and consider the scale of your claims and possible payout when deciding who to hire. Almost everyone is living with some kind of pain. 3. if You take me through today . Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. 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. With the peace of Christ upon our hearts, let us love our neighbors in their suffering. 2001. Pain and suffering damages are often the largest part of a . 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. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Pain is based on personal experiences and the severity of a persons injuries. This article is also available in Spanish. 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). Sometimes attorneys who cannot take a case themselves have a system in place to refer cases to other attorneys, sometimes for compensation. ibid.,n. Theology of suffering is the study of what the Bible says about suffering while considering who God is and the current state of humanity. He wanted them to grow in trust and dependence on the Father. 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. Through suffering, human beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ. How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! And if we look at our lives through Gods eyeswhich always include forgiveness as part of His perfect planthen maybe suing isnt necessary at all! Jesus wants not just a pure bride, but a mature one as welland suffering produces growth and maturity in us. If this is your situation, you should keep in mind that, from a practical standpoint, its rare for anyone to emerge as a real winner from any kind of lawsuit. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. When a brother sins against you, Jesus says that you are to tell him his fault in front of just the two of you if he sins against you. 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. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. 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