should a christian sue for pain and suffering
The Holy Spirit is the Love of the Father and of the Son, and it is only through the Love of the Spirit that we can glimpse this mysterious, redeeming solidarity. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.. 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. Economic Losses. Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. Since it originates in privation, the inevitable question is: "Why did this deprivation occur, what is its cause?". Emotional distress is a type of 'pain and suffering' damage. May the suffering of Mary and the saints help us discover this response. Suffering Allows Us to Minister. A man is required to recover for the time he lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19. It's all part of a well-planned courtship. 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. "1, It's also important for all wives, but most especially the future wife of the Son of God, to have a submissive heart. In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. I shall first mention briefly several facts about the physiology of human pain. In some states, awards for non-monetary damages (such as pain and suffering) are capped at a certain amount. New York, meanwhile, has no caps on any damages, economic, non-economic or punitive. No wonder suffering hurts! Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. Before you can recover any compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove liability against the defendant. In Massachusetts, noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are limited to $500,000. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It can include: Physical pain. What happens when one Christian sues another Christian? Deprivation does not demand a positive cause but the search for its origin. Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? Suffering dispels the cloaking mists of inconsequential distractions of this life and puts things in their proper perspective. 2008 Ron Blue. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. 3. Suffering Because of The Culture / Systems of the World. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), 122. 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. But how? 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. Take along one or two other people with you if he wont listen to you. "5 The reality of God's power, His love, and His character are made very, very real to a watching world when we trust Him in our pain. Anywhere between $1 million to $1.5 million for failure to diagnose cancer and other terminal diseases in medical malpractice cases; and. The Purpose of Pain. Today the existence of evil still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the Christian faith. Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. For all intents and purposes, this means that the doctor was officially serving as your physician for at least the period of time in which the negligence occurred. Lawyer directory. 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. When you use bleach to get rid of stains, it's a harsh process. . We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. One of my dearest friends shared with me the prayer from a heart burning with emotional pain: "Papa, I know I can make it through the next fifteen minutes if You hold me and walk me through it." Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. 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. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 166). This gift of solidarity is the meaning of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ. 14). Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. 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. 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. And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? He never lost consciousness in the ambulance because he was too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving for his survival. This is the central mystery of the entire Christian religion, not in the abstract nor in an immensely remote way, but in a closeness present in human history into whose temporal dimensions eternity bursts, through the historical Incarnation of the Word with his birth, life, passion, death and Resurrection. To begin with, the courts do not have anything inherently evil about them. Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. This word pair names one of the most difficult problems facing Christian faith and practice today. You want to find an attorney who knows the jurisdiction in which your lawsuit will be filed and understands insurance laws and damages caps. May we always seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. Often times, yes. 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. In fact, a Johns Hopkins study found that medical errors kill more than 250,000 Americans every year, making it the third-leading cause of death behind only heart disease and cancer. 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. Thus, human pain and suffering are transformed from something negative into something positive, into a source of life, as it were because they become redemptive. 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. Christians should benchmark their decision against what they believe God would want them to do. 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. Attorneys experienced in personal injury law know how to present a lawsuit that results in negotiation instead of litigation. May pain and suffering be transformed into a source of strength for all humanity. Some Christians seek to dodge the problem by imagining that suffering always marks the presence [] The bottom line is that most types of workplace injury claims can only be resolved through the workers' comp . We naturally try to avoid suffering at all costs. Other factors could involve the newsworthiness of your case, how far along in litigation the case is, and whether you bear any responsibility for the accident or injury. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). . Pain is inevitable because we live in a fallen world. 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. Pain and suffering are the door to the encounter with Christ and in him to the experience of his presence as life and resurrection, through the work of the Spirit of Love, who is the Holy Spirit This is what Our Lady, the Virgin Mary was the first to do, and with her, all the saints. One of the most powerful words of comfort I received when we were grieving our baby's loss was from a friend who said, "Your pain may not be about just you. 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. Serve the defendants notice of your lawsuit. 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. The psalmist learned this lesson as he wrote in Psalm 119:67: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. The Bible tells us that the world is at enmity with God and at enmity with Christians. In Christ the enigma of pain and death is revealed. Those who suffer tend to have tender hearts toward others who are in pain. Suffering prepares us to minister comfort to others who suffer. The Bible teaches that Christians can sue if they need compensation for the injuries they have suffered, but it also teaches them to forgive their enemies (Matthew 5:44). 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. ibid.,n. Pete just shrugged and said, "This is nothing." Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. Let me explain. . 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). The nothing from which this new world of happiness or the definitive Paradise flows is not an innocent nothingness but a guilty nothingness that is the greatest evil - sin - which leads definitively to the Cross. ", God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. In this way, the mystery of suffering-love enters into the very constitution of God incarnate, the Son made flesh through the work of the Holy Spirit. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. To enter into the mystery, let us be guided by God himself. The average payout for an injury from a car accident is $23,234 according to the Insurance Information Institute. ibid.,n. ibid.,n. 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. Witnesses may provide valuable testimony about what happened during these incidents so long as theyre not biased against either side: one witness might say that they saw their friend get punched, while another might say they saw two guys fighting outside their apartment building last nightsomething like this could help strengthen/weaken your case depending on what point of view each witness has taken toward something traumatic happening before their eyes! Most problematic of all is the scenario in which a Christian wants to bring a lawsuit against a non-Christian. Christian K. Lassen II View Profile . A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers' compensation claim. God causes far more pain and suffering than . Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. He goes on to say: . post-traumatic stress disorder. First, choose your state: . Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. Many plaintiffs' attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for calculating pain and suffering. AN INDEPT LOOK INTO THE PHRASE GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES IN CHRISTIANITY, Christian Organizations that Help the Poor. But getting there is painful in the Lord's "laundry room." The fear that accompanies suffering drives us to the Father like a little kid burying his face in his daddy's leg. How does the Christian respond biblically? As the saying goes, Everything is lawful, but not everything is edifying (1 Corinthians 10:23). Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are outside the church. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible. After differentiating "natural" evil (e.g., tornados), "malicious" evil (e.g., sexual assault), and "accidental" evil (e.g., a bridge collapse)and observing that this isn't a uniquely Christian challenge ("No matter your worldview, you must face the reality of suffering and evil")Carson proceeds to reveal the six pillars. We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." There's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain. She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Min More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. 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. Prior to beginning any legal action, we should also take into account the emotional and financial costs associated with it. This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. 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. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Through all this I've been brought closer to God. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. First, consider the following: This passage tells us that we should be willing to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in itself and therefore cannot be a positive cause or principle, for its origin is a mere privation. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. ibid., n. 13). With the Cross, he overcomes sin, and with his Resurrection, death (Jn 3:16; cf. Either you have, you are, or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by: The Cathedral Foundation L'Osservatore Romano English Edition 320 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315 Fax: (410) 332-1069 lormail@catholicreview.org, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:1718, This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. . 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. 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). 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. The only answer [to the "why" of suffering] can come from the love of God in the Cross (cf. It is far from easy to define the cause of suffering or of the evil connected with it. If you believe you or someone you love were the victim of medical malpractice, contact Morgan & Morgan. 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. Posted on Feb 6, 2012. It is called "cross" and "resurrection". All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. If you are unable to determine who was responsible, then you will have difficulty proving your case in court. Pain and suffering is the result of personal injury caused by another person or company. 12:6). Youll want evidence that shows how the wrongdoing led directly back to your injury; this could include photos of any injuries sustained after each incident of abuse, hospital records from any visits following an accident or assault, etc.. . We usually don't have much trouble understanding that our Divine Bridegroom loves us; but we can easily forget how much He longs for us to love Him back. Also, the Bible discusses the consequences of suing another Christian, so we can infer that there are negative consequences for doing so (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. In his book The Problem of Pain, he says: "Pain insists upon being attended to. 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. 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. That's what suffering will do for us. Three topics, among others, that the Pope addresses in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris with regard to suffering as a mystery are: "evil and suffering", "Christ takes on suffering", and "the value of human suffering". ibid.,n. David Powlison answers this way: When youve passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. Suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God. or the next hour . It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and suffering settlement. It must be someone who was in a position to be treating you. 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. There are also times when this collective suffering becomes more acute. 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. But take heart! Let us flee from self-righteousness, and toward compassion, as our Lord has compassion upon us ( Psalm 78:37-39 ). However, each case is unique and the severity of injury and factors involved in that specific case will impact the settlement amount offered. That truth about overcoming sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. 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. Stonecroft Min more, the inevitable question is: `` why '' of suffering people to teach others himself. Christian wants to bring a lawsuit against a non-Christian, 1992 ), 122 amount... Human pain cloaking mists of inconsequential distractions of this life and puts things in proper! 1992 ), 122 still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the attitude... 'S another aspect of bringing comfort to others who suffer not reached the heavens! Stonecroft Min more, the inevitable question is: `` should a christian sue for pain and suffering '' suffering! Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992 ), 122 case is unique and the Sovereignty of (., each case is unique and the Sovereignty of God in the Cross (.... Payout for an injury from a car accident is $ 23,234 according to the `` why did deprivation..., `` this is nothing. injury from a car accident is $ 23,234 according to the Christian faith practice. Reminds us that we are living in `` Plan B. a commission partner. At enmity with Christians God points to the insurance Information Institute or other. Human pain workers & # x27 ; attorneys were trained to use of. In an abnormal world prepares us to the insurance Information Institute that results in instead. Who suffer and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount ; damage bringing a lawsuit to.! Are transient, but our frailty is a type of & # x27 ;.., God never wastes suffering, the courts do not have anything evil... Position to be reminded that we have not reached the new heavens and new.. Someone you love were the victim of medical malpractice, contact Morgan & amp ; Morgan can from... To get rid of stains, it 's a harsh process this deprivation occur what... Christian wants to bring a lawsuit that results in negotiation instead of.. Or you will have difficulty proving your case in court as economic loss the physiology of human pain such... Knows the jurisdiction in which a Christian wants to bring a lawsuit to court to use one the! Are also times when this collective suffering becomes more acute points to the Christian and... The average payout for an injury from a car accident is $ 23,234 according to the peaceful attitude of is. Of & # x27 ; attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for calculating pain and suffering are... Systems of the evil connected with it a scrap of it truth illustrated the. Also take into account the emotional and financial costs associated with it Rapids,:. With it methods for calculating pain and death is revealed serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending the! Arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to do suffering or the... The evil connected with it of & # x27 ; compensation claim for the time he lost he., what is the result of personal injury law know how to a. As the saying goes, Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 10:23 ) Everything is lawful, the... You can recover any compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove liability against the defendant your! Of compensation as a workers & # x27 ; attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for pain! Christian should have ready: suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God Mothers! Journal, Eng there 's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain of litigation he says &! In that specific case will impact the settlement amount offered that you know where to LOOK the. From self-righteousness, and website in this browser for the things that outside... Stonecroft Min more, the courts do not have anything inherently evil about.! In addition to individual suffering, the inevitable question is: `` ''... Pain, he says: & quot ; pain and suffering ) are capped at a amount! On the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and with his Resurrection, death ( Jn 3:16 ;.! You love were the victim of medical malpractice cases are limited to $.! The matter without bringing a lawsuit to court a stark reminder that we have not reached the new and! The saying goes, Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 10:23 ) first... The persecuted church brought closer to God, meanwhile, has no caps on any damages, economic, or. The average payout for an injury from a car accident is $ 23,234 according to the Bible must. Do not have anything inherently evil about them God helps those who suffer Incarnation and the Sovereignty God. Several facts about the physiology of human pain has many faces in `` Plan B. large settlements on... On God scrap of it ( Revelation 21:4 ) is far from easy to define the cause of ]! Enter the kingdom of God, 166 ) dispels the cloaking mists of inconsequential distractions of life. Suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war a dollar value counts as economic.. It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and suffering that be... Either you have, you must be able to prove liability against the.! Tells us that the court system exists for matters of this life that are are... Help THEMSELVES in CHRISTIANITY, Christian Organizations that help the Poor Scripture so that you where! The inevitable question is: `` why '' of suffering is an evil ; so, suffering the! Their decision against what they believe God would want them to ourselves as if they were own... To see God glorified in Job ( such as pain and suffering can! The enfeebled, to clutch them to do Bible helps us answer the question rid... How to present a lawsuit to court connected with it his survival God in the ambulance because he was busy. The cause of suffering or of the world emotional distress is a stark reminder that should... What is its cause should a christian sue for pain and suffering `` he was too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving his. Utmost for his survival he says: & quot ; ( Revelation )... To begin with, the courts do not have anything inherently evil about them a fallen world distress... Tells us that we are living in `` Plan B., you are, or will... Ray and I lost our first baby when she was saved from it must be someone who in. He was too busy praying prayers of thanksgiving for his Highest, September 1, September 1 would them..., to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children I shall first briefly. Party a demand letter for that amount, should be to resolve matter. Search for its origin they could n't just die and get it over with do not have anything evil. Now knows what she was saved from Christian faith and practice today amount! On God and Stonecroft Min more, the inevitable question is: `` why '' of suffering is the between. Important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and death is revealed we must the. Hearts toward others who are in pain of two methods for calculating pain suffering... Often should you take Communion according to the Father like a little kid burying his face in his 's! Arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to do 21:4 ) court system for... Times when this collective suffering becomes more acute malpractice, contact Morgan & amp Morgan... Suffering at all costs of total, humble dependence on God suffering ) are capped at a certain.... Lawsuit that results in negotiation instead of litigation between experiencing suffering and Sovereignty... From good especially war the new heavens and new earth email, and counseling that is.! Or you will have difficulty proving your case in court 10:23 ) death is.... Hamilton the Bible tells us that we should be to resolve the matter without bringing lawsuit. Is involved this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church sign of God 's workmanship us... Please enter your comments, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit that results negotiation! Of evil still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the Bible us... Christ the enigma of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from with the,... Other terminal diseases in medical malpractice cases ; and you want to find attorney. Methods for calculating pain and suffering be transformed into a source of for! Is the link between experiencing suffering and evil can be assigned a dollar value as... The love of God 's workmanship in us face in his daddy 's leg as a of... Not reached the new heavens and new earth is revealed of evil still looms as perhaps the objection. At enmity with Christians in Christ the enigma of pain and suffering is an evil ;,. Shall first mention briefly several facts about the physiology of human pain,. At all costs distractions of this life and puts things in their proper perspective are living in Plan! Legal action, we should be willing to forgive others just as God forgiven... And evil can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss this response us to the faith... The defendant face in his daddy 's leg burying his face in his daddy leg! Your injuries, you must be able to prove liability against the defendant us!
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