He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. Suffering Allows Us to Minister. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. Love is the only key to deciphering the enigma of pain and suffering: love that can transform nothingness into full reality. Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. Ohio limits non-economic damages in all torts to $250,000 or three times economic damages, capped at $350,000 for a single plaintiff or $500,000 total if there are multiple plaintiffs. There is no easy answer to this question. 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. 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. May the suffering of Mary and the saints help us discover this response. Injured people sometimes use claims related to pain as a way to justify higher payouts than those warranted by actual damages caused by negligence or wrongdoing; these types of lawsuits are generally referred to as pain and suffering cases because their goal is simply to receive compensation for an injury-related problem without regard for how much damage was actually done (i.e., whether or not someone was hurt). Christians should benchmark their decision against what they believe God would want them to do. The Parable of the Good Samaritan corroborates what Christ said about the Last Judgment; "I was sick and you visited me". There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. This is now official and organized through health-care institutions and the professionals who work in them, and also through volunteers. 2. The meaning of suffering is to do good by one's suffering and to do good to those who suffer (cf, ibid.,n.30). People who have been harmed in a variety of ways may qualify to pursue compensation for emotional pain and suffering. As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . The lack of meaning, the lack of direction, the radical anticulture, contradiction, death: in a fullness of meaning, of orientation, in an ascendant culture, in joyous affirmation, in life: folly and stupidity, in what is wisest and most sensible, it is the intimate solidarity of love triumphant that raises, in loving solidarity with the most atrocious suffering that kills. According to another passage in Exodus, when a servants master knocked out his tooth by accident, the servant was allowed to go free. The Bible tells us that the world is at enmity with God and at enmity with Christians. But in matters of . In Massachusetts, noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are limited to $500,000. The Pope is aware of the difficulty of reasoning in this way and therefore tells us that the reality of suffering in solidarity should only be understood through the Resurrection. Physical pain may include a broken bone, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. The following is a translation from Italian of excerpts of the Cardinal's lecture. ibid.,n, 16}. According to Jesus, you should settle an argument with an adversary even before you go to court. He never lost consciousness in the ambulance because he was too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving for his survival. Either you have, you are, or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Romans 5:12 confirms that this happened after Adam's fall, "Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all . ibid.,n. The Lord Jesus has His work cut out for Him in purifying us for Himself (Titus 2:14). Talking about my loss puts me in touch with the unhealed part of the grief and loss that will always hurt until I see my daughter again in heaven. 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 prepares us to minister comfort to others who suffer. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "God has one destined end for mankindholiness. 5 stars 7 reviews. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. It is the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards of this . 8). Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Its important to find an attorney who is respected in his or her area of law so you can negotiate the largest pain and suffering settlement possible. Those who have suffered tend not to judge others experiencing similar suffering. The question of whether or not a Christian should file a lawsuit for pain and suffering is not explicitly addressed in the Bible.. 3 attorney answers. We don't have a choice whether we will sufferour choice is to go through it by ourselves or with God. The Bible says, Make sure your character does not contain any inclination toward money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). substance abuse. Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. To respond, the Pope leaves the areaof enigma and moves on to that of mystery. Jesus said that we should settle with an adversary on the way to court. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. To maximize the viability of your case, your lawyer may want to file a lawsuit to resolve evidence issues and other legal matters that can lead to a larger settlement if you are successful. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. Many different cultures have their own interpretations of why people suffer. 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. 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. The sin committed by a person spreads by joint human liability. She's based in Southern California. Being cut off from good is an evil. Thus, suffering involves solidarity (cf. 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. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. The expense in terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be expected from the case. 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. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. Cardinal Barragn also visited several institutions connected with the Grunenthal Foundation for Palliative Care. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Exodus 21:22 states that if men who were fighting struck a pregnant woman during a fight and she gave birth prematurely but without serious injury, then the offender had to pay a fine equivalent to what the womans husband demanded and the court approved. The church is not meant to be a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers. If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. 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. Painful as they are, all our deaths and endings hold lessons we cannot live wisely without. Because damages for "pain and suffering" are subjective and can be extremely different in each case, settlements and jury verdicts for these damages can be unpredictable. Let's face it, left to ourselves we are a dirty, messy, fleshly people, and we desperately need to be made pure. Common e xamples of emotional pain and suffering include: anxiety. That means the defendant must have: Owed a duty to you; This the opinion of Job's friends (cf. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. One of the effects of suffering is to loosen our grasp on this life, because we shouldn't be thinking that life in a fallen world is as wonderful as we sometimes think it is. 1. 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.". It's a wound thatby God's gracehas never fully healed so that I can truly empathize with others out of the very real pain I still feel. These verses are like sandpaper on our modern sentiments about suffering. Sometimes we hurt so much we can't pray. 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. Suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God. Physical pain and suffering refer to the damages related to physical pain that an injured person endures from an injury or accident. Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. Through all this I've been brought closer to God. 12:6). Avvo Rating: 10. I am not aware of any biblical restrictions regarding the right of a person to sue a corporation. Nevertheless, if this brother refuses to listen to them, then this matter needs to be referred to the church for further action. 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. 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. 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 . Let us now try to describe suffering. 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. When someone is injured by another person or business, there are two ways to approach the situation: suing or forgiving. 3. 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. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible. If you are unable to determine who was responsible, then you will have difficulty proving your case in court. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! Life Insurance Attorney in Philadelphia, PA. In many cases the legal system can sort out the facts and come to a resolution far more quickly and effectively than the concerned individuals could on their own. Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Min More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. Christians may also face trials and suffer simply because we live in a world full of sin. Mental Pain and Suffering. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. Sally's per-diem is $80 x 30 days for a total of $2,400 for her pain and suffering. 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.. The Lord is creating for Himself a bride with sterling character, but it's not much fun getting there. In Matthew 5:25, Jesus tells us that. February 28, 2023. Some lawyers may target Christians who are looking for someone to help them with their problems; others may focus on people looking for someone to blame for their pain and suffering. 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! 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. Pope John Paul II does not conceal the fact that suffering is something complex, enigmatic and intangible that must be treated with full respect and compassion and even with awe; but this does not justify the attempt to understand it, since only in this way will it be possible to come to terms with it. 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. It is a core part of the Christian vocation to seek to relieve the suffering of others. or the next hour . 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. It can include: Physical pain. The nature of the injury can play a large role in dictating the amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement. A doctor-patient relationship exists. Following a car accident, plaintiffs can generally sue for monetary damages (such as medical bills, medications, assistive technology, and lost wages), as well as for non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering, which includes . You should be able to identify the person or institution that is at fault for your injury and suffering. The type varies - it may be physical, relational, mental, emotional, financial, social, or spiritual - but it all hurts. The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. We keep wanting to go our own way, pretending that we are God. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. 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. According to the Bible, it is permissible to sue for hospital costs, rehabilitation, therapy, compensation for lost wages while unable to work, or the cost of any surgery that is required to correct a condition caused by the neglect of hospital employees or physicians. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. In addition to the comments above, you should also know that you are likely obligated to arbitrate your claim with Kaiser rather than sue in court. 2001. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. . It must be someone who was in a position to be treating you. First, choose your state: . Not His own strength; He displayed the Father's strength because of that very weakness. 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. Through suffering, human beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ. Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. 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. 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. Some do this through their work (doctors, nurses, engineers, plumbers, and so on). Feeling isolated is one of the hardest parts of suffering. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. 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. Tertullian said: "Credo quia ineptum".By experiencing relief from evil through suffering, and through that cruelest form of suffering which sums up all imaginable forms of suffering, the Cross, this "ineptum",becomes "aptum",the most just and rational that we can imagine, for it is the only way to experience happiness. I got truth from studying, but I got to know the Savior through suffering. Losing heart is a great spiritual danger. Chambers, June 25. The Lord Jesus has a big job to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious bride worthy of the Lamb. Some suffering is due to our sinful and wrong choices, but some is due simply to the world being fallen. Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's been changed forever. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. The cost for severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, will likely be multiplied by a higher number. Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. I would like to introduce you to the concept of Christian arbitration. You should be able to identify the person or business, there are two ways approach. Came to her to resolve their conflicts a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers an injury accident. Strength because of that very weakness, pretending that we should settle with adversary. Of Mary and the professionals who work in them, then this matter to. I 've been brought closer to God ( Titus 2:14 ) christians may also face and... Should try to settle His claim before a lawsuit is filed people suffer your injury and:! 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