Can you garnish a personal injury settlement?
Can you garnish a personal injury settlement?
In some states, you are not allowed to garnish a personal injury settlement because it is considered to be compensation for your medical expenses. In other states, you cannot garnish the amount allocated for medical expenses or any money that is designated as a replacement for lost wages.
There was a time when, in order to sue someone, you had to prove that your injury was due to their willful negligence. The idea of lawsuit reform changed all that. Now, in order to prove that an employer was negligent in the way they supervised their employees, all you have to do is show that they failed to comply with the specific safety standards of their industry. This makes proving negligence easier and more likely than ever before.
So how do you know how much compensation you can expect from a settlement? You determine this by taking into account the following factors:
- The nature of your injuries (are they permanent? Will they require expensive medical treatment?)
- The amount of money needed to cover your medical bills and lost wages
- The severity of the injuries and damage done
No matter how much you've been hurt, or how many bills you have to pay on time because of it, there is no way to legally garnish a personal injury settlement. A personal injury settlement is the money that you are awarded for your claim against an insurance company for an accident or other incident. It does not include punitive damages that may be awarded if you take your case to court, and it does not include fees from your lawyer.
It's important to understand that even if you were hurt so badly that it cost you your job, your settlement can never be garnished for any reason. Even if you owe taxes, child support, or back rent, there is no way for the government to take this money from you.
If you have any questions or in need a Personal Injury Attorney, we have the Best Attorneys in Utah. Please call this law firm for free consultation.
Ascent Law LLC
8833 S Redwood Road Suite C
West Jordan UT 84088
(801) 676-5506
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and is simply an answer to a question and that if legal advice is sought to contact a licensed attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction.
