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!

 

USAF Retirement $, military lifetime medical health and dental care, base priviledges, etc. Many more mil benefits. Are you sure you have a good lawyer?

Add on to that a career until age 65 at UPS/FDX in addition to retirement $$$! Are you sure you have a good lawyer?

Are you sure the other guy is insured (or independantly wealthy)?

 

Yes my lawyer is one of the best and yes the other guy has insurance

 

I don't think you'll get money for a 20 yr AF career since you can stay in and complete one at this point. Maybe the bonus and flt pay loss. You'd also have a tough time proving you'd get on at FDX or UPS. Too bad you're not in the pool already. You may get a crack at the average airline pilot salary you may have lost across the board. Not great these days, but better than nothing. Good luck.

 

Low multi-millions, assuming you're 30ish which I'm guessing from your AF time. Pay and bennies, plus all expenses for retraining for a new profession.

 

You'll probably settle out of court for what his insurance's maximum is.

 

Thanks for the replies so far, was trying to think of a good number, especially since the attorney is going to get 40% if it goes to court (33% if we settle) I am pretty sure that anything over a $25K lawsuit has to go to court. I am not sure what I will go back to school for, maybe law school. I also forgot to mention that my wife was in the car as well, and is having neck problems as well.

 

I was thinking I'd settle at no less than $25M just for earnings and benefits, but with all the pain, suffering, etc--is there a limit? Doubt you can settle for anywhere near that...

 

Dang brother, sorry to hear about this situation. Wish ya the best of luck. I am concerned though that these things are usually determined by the level of capital at stake. Ergo, if the guy is just another one of us working stiffs, you ain't gonna get 25 million if the guy's net worth is couple thousand. Best case scenario as someone else pointed out, is an out-of-court settlement for the maximum liability set forth in the guy's insurance policy...for car policies normally around 100K. Take out the lawyer's cut and you're looking at 60gs.

That or not get paid at all when they guy does the hand thing like a dealer at the casino and the courts can't squeeze every penny out of him, just as they would protect his ability to put a minimum amount of food on the table for himself when facing other judgements such as child support or alimony. Even wage garnishments cannot take his entire check. So payout for you could be unlikely when suing individuals with low net worth (the majority). I do wish ya luck and let us know how that turns out.

 

I'd say around $6M, plus costs for any recurring medical you have.
Also, is using "the airlines' salaries" really the best answer? How about G-V pilot for a large corporation.

Consider getting the AF to send you to school for your new career.
And consider Acquisition: you could finish out at 20 years, and chase some big dollars at that point.