should a christian sue for pain and suffering

Pain and suffering is something that cannot be easily quantified, making it difficult to prove. Economic Losses. Theology of suffering is the study of what the Bible says about suffering while considering who God is and the current state of humanity. Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. For example, if an individual's medical bills amounted to $50,000, the calculated pain and suffering for a 3X multiplier would peg damages at $150,000. This article is also available in Spanish. Karen told Sue she knew of a Christian counselor who did therapy at a reduced rate. There is no doubt from what is written in the book of Acts that Paul recognized the authority and the responsibility of the government of Rome as well. 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. May the suffering of Mary and the saints help us discover this response. There are better ways to handle disputes among believers. 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. 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. Several years ago I realized that instead of despising the fact that polio had left me with a body that was weakened and compromised, susceptible to pain and fatigue, I could choose to rejoice in it. Attorneys experienced in personal injury law know how to present a lawsuit that results in negotiation instead of litigation. I strongly believe that Christians can and, in some cases, should sue individuals or corporate bodies for a number of reasons that have been mentioned above. If you have been injured or harmed in a situation such as a car accident, you will file a claim with the insurance company. As painful as it is, suffering strips away the distractions of life. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. The original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/. Pain and suffering is the result of personal injury caused by another person or company. As we read in Proverbs, we are warned not to bring a matter to a court hastily. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. Visit Probe's website. Those who have suffered tend not to judge others experiencing similar suffering. This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. 7). Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. God causes far more pain and suffering than . As my body weakens from the lifelong impact of polio, to be honest, I have a deep frustration with it that makes me grateful for the perfect, beautiful, completely working resvurrection body waiting for me on the other side. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Sometimes we hurt so much we can't pray. What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. His suffering is redemptive; its depth can be measured by the depth of the evil in the history of the world, especially since the person who suffers it is God (cf. We don't have a choice whether we will sufferour choice is to go through it by ourselves or with God. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. These verses are like sandpaper on our modern sentiments about suffering. This means that pain and suffering is calculated over and above medical expenses at that rate. I Believe This is especially true if you are a Christian. 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? ibid.,n. 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. Is it right for a Christian to sue? How does the Christian respond biblically? The Pope now goes a step further and reaches the heart of the mystery; in his mortal life, Christ put an end to pain by his miracles, He took upon himself the suffering of all and bore it with full consciousness on the Cross (cf. Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. The multiplier method totals all the plaintiffs medical bills from the injury and multiplies that total by a number between 1.5 and 5. Related Topics: Discipleship, Discipline, Sanctification, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Life, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Women's Articles, Sue Bohlin is a speaker/writer and webservant for Probe Ministries, a Christian organization that helps people to think biblically. And Romans 5:3-4 tells us that we can actually rejoice in our sufferings, because, again, they produce perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope. . 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. 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. His one aim is the production of saints. There are several references in the Bible to compensating a person for a loss they have suffered. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "God has one destined end for mankindholiness. Determining If You Can Sue for Pain and Suffering Damages. 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. Draft a demand letter. if You take me through today . Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! 1 answer; Social Studies; asked by Kaai97; 518 views; You corrected this sentence: Don't talk about me as ancient: Don't talk about me as if I'm ancient. Cases include: Pain and suffering can be caused by injuries such as: Factors that affect the amount of a pain and suffering settlement include: In most cases the settlement you are seeking is paid by an insurance company and the policy limits control how much of a settlement they offer. Focus on the Familys counselors would be happy to listen to your concerns and come alongside you with some practical suggestions. A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers' compensation claim. Avvo Rating: 10. People put questions to God about its cause and frequently reach the point of denying him when they are unable to discover the reason for it (cf. In the counseling world, there is a counseling therapy called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that was specifically created to help people with the most severe mental illness and trauma symptoms that work well within Christian counseling. After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. . 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. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . If you believe you or someone you love were the victim of medical malpractice, contact Morgan & Morgan. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. 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. You also deserve to be compensated for the emotional pain that . The apostle Paul wrote, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:89). The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. Mystery, in the Christian faith, is not darkness but dazzling brightness. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. 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. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. And if you are faithful to cling to God now, I promise He will use you greatly to comfort others later." ibid., n. 13). To sue for pain and suffering or emotional stress, you have to file a personal injury lawsuit and prove that your employer was at fault. Thus, John Paul II leads us to scrutinize the meaning of human suffering in a mysterious and dazzling way, and which is also the only valid perspective; at last, the enigma becomes mystery. ", God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. He does not attempt to do so with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the very core of the Christian faith. The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. If you can see the purpose behind the pain, you can find the way out of this lie. The bottom line is that most types of workplace injury claims can only be resolved through the workers' comp . Rather, it recognizes the multifaceted ways that suffering can come upon us. 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. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. An eternal God provides humans with an existence beyond the grave. . Chambers, June 25. But God brings suffering in our lives for the sake of our eternal joy yes, even glory. He does know what He's doing . Applying a biblical worldview to this difficult subject results in a distinctly different approach to suffering than our natural inclination of blame and self pity. The nature of the injury can play a large role in dictating the amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement. Jesus endured all that suffering as an innocent man. Rhonda is an executive secretary earning $24 per hour. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragn, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, gave a lecture in July, in Aachen, Germany, on "Pain, an enigma or a mystery?". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others Too Much? This article is part of the 10 Things You Should Know series. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering to maintain the just and transcendent character of 'love'. Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. 5 stars 7 reviews. The definition is vague, but the law allows you to file an insurance claim for pain and suffering compensation. Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. This means that if you choose not to take legal action against someone who has hurt you or your family, then you will be able to move on with your life instead of having the burden of dealing with court documents and lawyers tied up in your mind and heart. Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. A week later the wife died, followed in six months by her husband. It is a matter of a real vocation, especially when one is united to the Church with a Christian profession. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. There's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain. Fill out any forms required by that small claims court. Pain is based on personal experiences and the severity of a persons injuries. All rights reserved. However, each case is unique and the severity of injury and factors involved in that specific case will impact the settlement amount offered. Proverbs 25:8. God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. 12). Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. You may think that suing for pain and suffering will help pay some of these billsbut if your goal is actually helping another person in need (and thus following Gods command), then perhaps there are other ways that you could stretch your finances further in order to assist them with their needs or show mercy through giving charity rather than demanding payment for wrongdoing after receiving justice according*to Biblical principles.*. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. 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! Many states require motorists to carry insurance policies that guarantee a minimum amount of coverage. February 28, 2023. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. c. an ancient gift of the gods. When someone is injured by another person or business, there are two ways to approach the situation: suing or forgiving. 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. The Lord Jesus has His work cut out for Him in purifying us for Himself (Titus 2:14). The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. 2 Corinthians 1:9 tells us that hardships and sufferings happen "so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.". This aspect of suffering should drive us to long for a better . I believe that insurance companies and corporations should be held accountable for their negligence, but what is more important is the attitude of a Christian as well as his or her submission to Gods will as a Christian. d. a place where humans were banished from the. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. The apostle Paul, on the other hand, said something that I believe is very important: Do not act out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Exodus 21:27. There are many other options available besides suing those who have wronged us. . The type varies - it may be physical, relational, mental, emotional, financial, social, or spiritual - but it all hurts. First, consider the following: This passage tells us that we should be willing to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. In God's sovereign scheme, pain and suffering are not only powerless to destroy the believer, they can result in a refined, resilient faith that perseveres and spurs others on in the same way, until we see our Lord and Savior face to face. 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). Jesus said that we should settle with an adversary on the way to court. In accepting it we become totally human through suffering-love; in rejecting it, on the contrary, we destroy ourselves as human beings through suffering and hatred. A doctor-patient relationship exists. Solidarity, as the foundation of the whole of existence, is not only sympathy with all, a way of being socially committed and aware that we all belong to the same race, culture, nationality, etc., but is also the experiencing of a bond with all other human beings so deeply within ourselves that it is not a qualification that comes to us as soon as we exist but constitutes our existence itself. 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! Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. You can sue for pain and suffering for economic and non-economic losses. 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. If God ordained it, then perhaps we should endure it in full strength. They will know if it really would glorify God or not. This is the heart of Christianity. I once heard Charles Stanley say that nothing attracts the unbeliever like a saint suffering successfully. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit. It feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul. 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). 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. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. How to Ask for An Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook? It can bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to turn to the God of comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all . To enter into the mystery, let us be guided by God himself. Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved. For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. If a Christian refuses to have the matter resolved by the church or by a Christian, then you can take him to court if he refuses to resolve the matter through the church or by a Christian. 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. Despite this, verses 4 and 5 of that passage suggest that the dispute should be referred to a church member for resolution to resolve the issue. Suffering is a passive or active attitude to evil, or rather, to the lackof a good that it would be desirable to possess(cf. The reason is because the standards, values, philosophies and culture of the world are opposed to Biblical values. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. It is the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards of this . That perspective was like a sweet balm to my soul, because it showed me that my suffering was not pointless. Article contributed by Probe Ministries A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. The New Jerusalem of no tears and no pain, of no mourning and no death, hasnt arrived yet (Revelation 21:1, 4). Deprivation does not demand a positive cause but the search for its origin. If this doesnt work, and if a lawsuit seems warranted, you should get the counsel of a Christian attorney who is in a position to supplement his legal expertise with wisdom drawn from the Bible. In contrast to cold objectivity, however, it is something that indeed belongs to the objectivity of our being, but with the maximum loving subjectivity, since it is and depends upon our free will in such a way that we can accept or reject it. Pain and suffering is a legal term that refers to the physical and mental distress suffered by a person as a result of an injury. Injuries that arent physical still can bring large pain and suffering settlements, such as a wrongful termination that causes significant humiliation or depression. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an . The first glimpse of suffering we see in this church here is that something is threatening to make them "grow weary and lose heart." It is normal for Christians to have experiences of stress and suffering that threaten their faith and press too hard, or last too long and feel almost intolerable. 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. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. We get to the point of saying, "Lord, I can only make it through today if You help me . 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. Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. substance abuse. Our understanding of the inevitability of suffering does not mean that we should regard it with complacency. 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. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible? Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 7 September 2005, page 9. Lewis seemed to have a good grasp on this. The Apostle James, in chapter 1, verses 1-4, was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials. Paul explained what happens in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2. The Pope enables us to penetrate into Revelation in order to move on to ascension in the mystery. As a last resort, God has established the courts as a means of resolving disputes. We naturally try to avoid suffering at all costs. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. Since the injuries are moderate, the insurance company might use a multiplier of 3 and offer a settlement of $15,000 for the pain and suffering component of the lawsuit. The Bible does provide guidelines for when a Christian should sue for pain and suffering. Christians may also face trials and suffer simply because we live in a world full of sin. 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 . Suffering scoops us out, making our hearts bigger so that we can hold more love for Him. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, in Florida, a Plaintiff can receive up to $1 million for non-monetary damages. My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. This is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and lost work the plaintiff has as economic damages. ibid., n. 9). Something went wrong. As hurtful as it is, suffering can purify us if we submit to the One who has a loving plan for the pain. Find the best ones near you. Ever since the fall of Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. 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. Often times, yes. 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).. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Solidarity belongs to divinized human life as a gift received which takes part in the mystery itself of God's very life. Medical malpractice is alarmingly common in the United States. Compare 1 Peter 1:6-7 where the same Greek words are used along with the verb dokimazo which means, "put to the test," "prove by testing as with gold.". A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. What if the person in question is a believer? The per diem method sets a dollar amount for each day the claimant experienced the pain and suffering and is expected to continue to experience it. In the event that one suffers personal loss as a result of the negligence or deceit of a business or company, should a Christian file a lawsuit against them? 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. Suffering develops holiness in unholy people. The Pope thus situates us in the heart of the mystery whose light dazzles us. 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. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. 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. Let's face it, left to ourselves we are a dirty, messy, fleshly people, and we desperately need to be made pure. Many plaintiffs' attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for calculating pain and suffering. Throughout my time as a christian, i have heard many misconceptions about christians and their legal rights during this time. If we turn toward God in our pain, He can use our suffering to mature our faith. The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. The only answer [to the "why" of suffering] can come from the love of God in the Cross (cf. 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. 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. And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. This compensation comes from two main sources. ibid.,n. I shall first mention briefly several facts about the physiology of human pain. I have been asked to expound on John Paul II's incomparable thinking on human pain. Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. He will give us the comfort, peace, patience and strength we need. Adrian Rogers Love Worth Finding. The problem is especially difficult when it comes to the question of whether christians can bring lawsuits against others for personal injury. I've been in your shoes." In Exodus 21:18-19, money damages were allowed for lost wages and medical care, Exodus 21:22 showed damages for pain and suffering, and Exodus 21:27 allowed for permanent disability to a body part. Most settlements include confidentiality clauses, which prohibit the plaintiff from disclosing the amount of the settlement. (See 1 Corinthians 6:12). (5) Suffering is a Process.

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