Originally Posted by
PittsDriver
I have come to a bad point in my career. I was involved in an auto accident and due to the accident (not my fault, negligent drunk driver crossed the center and hit me head on) I have developed migraines am about to lose my flight physical, and the potential for a waiver (if the migraines ever stop and is at least one year after your last migraine) is slim to none (USAF). So, my question is what is a profession worth to you in a lawsuit? I have hired the best attorney I could find for my situation, and he has asked what the loss means to me since he is not familiar with my profession. I am active duty AF (10 years), but going to have to get out this year since I cannot fly any longer, and really do not want to stay if it is a non-flying position. Trying to put a number on what it would be to lose your profession. I consider being a pilot a profession and not a job, so I will go back to school for another profession. I know if I just take the bonus and flight pay out of the equation until I am eligible to retire, its a bit over $300K I would lose in pay for just that. Thanks for any inputs!
PittsDriver:
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, but you gotta have some faith. In my old squadron, we had two individuals who came down with brain cancer, one of which was able to have surgery and get over the migrains. He is still flying. Miracles do happen and I hope for your sake that they do.
However, I agree with the others that you might be low-balling the sacrifice, education, training, and future career expectations that you've endured. Also, don't be afraid to show that with your career vector (love those buzz words), you would have gone on to achieve at least O-4 and depending on your OPRs (the civilian courts will love those stratifications if you have any), you could easily argue the case of even much hire rank, position (instructor, evaulator, chief pilot, HQ Stan Eval, etc) achieved.
Finally, my father and grandparents operated bars. In my early 20s, I would bar tend there. If this loser was drinking at a bar before he hit you, or if he purchased liquor at a store, and you can prove that he was visibly intoxicated, then they are liable too! It is the law that you CAN NOT serve anyone who is visibly intoxicated. If this guy was driving home from a bar, I can assure you, you can find some folks at the bar who know him, or can be a witness for you. A little undercover work will do you good. Include the bar as a defendent on your lawsuit! Chances are, they are liable as well.
-Fatboy