I have never suffered a life changing injury. I have represented a lot of folks who have. When I meet with a new client, I let them know that I can feel their pain – not because I have been there myself, but because I have previously worked with so many others who have. Every time I have said those words, they were sincere. But it is easy to become desensitized. A bit of time in the hot seat, however, reminded me of what they go through – every day – for the rest of their lives.
I started feeling bad Monday afternoon. By early evening, fever, chills, headache and general discomfort c hit like a tsunami. Until late this morning, life has been miserable. No position was comfortable. I was too hot or too cold, my coughing doubled me over and my headache never went away. Now, only three days later, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. By Saturday, I will feel good enough to go to a Senior Bowl party our firm is co-hosting.
When I compare my three days of Hell with my clients’ lifetimes of pain, I am embarrassed. But it was sure real when I was going through it. If I ever feel the flu symptoms coming on again and the doctor tells me I can buy my way out of it, I will empty my wallet. I’ll borrow money – whatever it takes. Come to think of it, my clients would, as well. They didn’t buy into their lawsuits – they would trade all the money they recovered for their good health in a New York second.
But they can’t. And their problems aren’t over in three days. They don’t just jump back on life’s merry-go-round. The money they recover hopefully provides whatever physical comfort that is available through medicine, physical therapy or devices. It also provides a psychological parachute for their families. Losing a bread winner is its own, special kind of pain. Whatever amount a person who suffers permanent, intractable pain recovers in a law suit, it never makes up for the pain. The last three days have driven that point home for me yet again. As bad as I felt, perhaps I needed to be reminded of what my clients go through forever.
Cum Laude graduate of Cumberland School of Law, Pet Mackey is a civil trial litigation expert who represents plaintiffs in business and consumer tort, contracts and construction, employment disputes and insurance. He is board certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Certified Alabama Mediator, and an “AV” rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell.
One Comment
Mike Bryant
Very interesting that you are working to understand the problem. It's how it is presented and explained that makes the difference in evaluating and going forward with any case.
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