“The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.” ~ Aristotle
The types of injuries which can occur as a result of a car accident or workplace accident are varied, but the one factor that affects every injury victim is the problem of pain. People spend their lives seeking to avoid pain. When a sudden, unexpected event thrusts a person into an unwanted journey of recovery, especially when the injury was caused by no fault of his own, the pain can seem not only relentless but senseless.
Pain and the suffering it brings can seem to overtake a person’s life, causing that person to reprioritize everything. The pain experienced can be physical, emotional, or even relational – or all of these at the same time. In addition to physical pain and associated grief and loss also financial difficulty as the medical bills are mounting, and work is interrupted or impossible.
Entire industries are dedicated to the problem of pain: drug manufacturers, counseling, psychiatry, clinics, alcohol distributors, rehab centers, and even weight loss centers. Billions of dollars a year are spent by those seeking to treat their pain.
Pain is a warning – like the red light on your dashboard which indicates something is wrong or out of balance. Treating only the symptoms of pain can prolong recovery – it is the cause of the pain that needs to be addressed. Some wrong responses to pain include drug and alcohol abuse and overeating, all of which tend to prolong pain and make it more intense.
Instead of attempting to ignore the pain or treat the symptoms inappropriately, seek to learn all you can from it, intentionally address it, and seek appropriate treatment.
Tap into streams of encouragement: right activities and positive, encouraging people. Isolation is unhealthy and will prolong your recovery. Don’t refuse to ask for help – just resolve to pay it forward someday when you are able. Even your story can encourage others someday.
Take personal responsibility: accept the new reality and then do something about it. Refocus on anger, blame, and the unanswerable and instead focus on moving forward. Looking back is ineffective in dealing with the cause of the pain. Complaining doesn’t change the fact that this happened. Instead, focus on a new direction, new healthy habits, and building a new life. If there was ever a time to grow in your faith, now is the time.
Daily journaling will be a helpful aide as you move forward toward recovery and will help bring clarity to your situation. Challenge yourself to write down your symptoms, feelings, and progress. Also, document missed work and school, struggles like insomnia or missed sleep, interferences with life activities, and inconveniences which have resulted from your injury.
Most importantly, record a reason to be thankful and something you have learned from your injury every day. This written record will not only help you to stay focused on forward progress but will also help you if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit in the future.
The Robinette Legal Group, PLLC is a West Virginia law firm focused on helping the injured obtain a full and fair monetary recovery after an accident. Depending on the circumstances and severity of the injuries, West Virginia injury victims may be entitled to pursue compensation for past and future pain and suffering, past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life. The spouse of the injured person may also be entitled to a claim for loss of physical and emotional relationship and additional services provided by that spouse resulting from the injury.
Visit our Personal Injury website take advantage of the many resources and answers available, or start the conversation on our 24/7 chat line. We offer a free initial consultation, and qualified cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning, if you aren’t paid, we aren’t paid.
If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to call our office at1-304-594-1800or after hours,1-304-216-6695.
Resource: Intentional Living, “Finding Purpose in the Pain,” podcast by Randy Carlson, April 9, 2014.
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Jeffery Robinette was admitted to practice law in 1991 and is licensed in all levels of state and federal trial courts in West Virginia. Mr. Robinette is also licensed in all state and federal appeals courts in West Virginia and the United States Supreme Court. As a National Board Certified Trial Attorney who has handled hundreds of motor vehicle, injury, and construction defect claims and a leading author on insurance claims settlement issues and difficulties in West Virginia, Jeff Robinette is uniquely qualified to represent your best interest.
