How Much Is My Nevada Personal Injury Case Worth?

Quick Answer

There is no single Nevada “calculator” for case value. A Nevada personal injury case is worth what you can prove (liability, causation, damages) discounted by the risk of losing or being assigned comparative fault, then constrained by insurance limits, collectability, caps that apply in certain case types, and litigation cost and fee-shifting risk. NRS 41.141; NRS 11.190(4)(e); Stackiewicz v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 100 Nev. 443, 686 P.2d 925 (1984); Hall v. SSF, Inc., 112 Nev. 1384, 930 P.2d 94 (1996).

This is educational information about Nevada law, not legal advice.

1) Step one, identify the legal building blocks Nevada requires

Nevada negligence cases are typically evaluated through:

1. Duty
2. Breach
3. Causation
4. Damages

Turner v. Mandalay Sports Entm’t, LLC, 124 Nev. 213, 180 P.3d 1172 (2008).

Insurers price settlement value based on how likely you are to prove each of those elements, and how expensive the case becomes if litigated.

2) Liability strength is usually the biggest value driver early

A) Clear fault increases value

Strong objective evidence increases value, video, neutral witnesses, physical evidence, and consistent accounts.

B) Traffic-law violation can matter through negligence per se in appropriate cases

Nevada recognizes negligence per se in appropriate circumstances where a statute was designed to protect the class of persons involved from the type of harm that occurred. Anderson v. Baltrusaitis, 113 Nev. 963, 944 P.2d 797 (1997); Barnes v. Delta Lines, Inc., 99 Nev. 688, 669 P.2d 709 (1983); Sagebrush Ltd. v. Carson City, 99 Nev. 204, 660 P.2d 1013 (1983).

Negligence per se typically helps prove duty and breach, but you still must prove causation and damages.

3) Nevada comparative negligence can reduce, or sometimes bar, recovery

Nevada uses modified comparative negligence:

• If the plaintiff’s negligence is greater than the defendants’ combined negligence, recovery is barred. NRS 41.141(1).
• Otherwise, damages are reduced proportionally. NRS 41.141(2).
  Warmbrodt v. Blanchard, 100 Nev. 703, 692 P.2d 1282 (1984).

A case with great injuries but “50/50 liability risk” often settles lower than a case with the same injuries and clear liability because the risk discount is real.

4) Causation is where many high-value cases are won or lost

When the defense says “not related,” value drops unless you have strong medical proof.

A) Medical causation often requires probability-based expert testimony

When causation is beyond common lay understanding, Nevada generally requires competent medical expert testimony stated to a reasonable degree of medical probability, not mere possibility. Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug Stores, Inc., 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112 (2005); Williams v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 127 Nev. 518, 262 P.3d 360 (2011).

B) Preexisting conditions change the proof needs, not the right to recover

Nevada recognizes that prior injury or preexisting condition evidence may be relevant, but it generally requires competent proof of a causal connection to the claimed injuries, often through expert testimony unless the connection is readily apparent to a layperson. FGA, Inc. v. Giglio, 128 Nev. 271, 278 P.3d 490 (2012).

C) Multiple accidents can create apportionment fights

When there are multiple incidents, defendants may argue damages can be divided. Nevada has addressed burden-shifting concepts in successive accident settings once causation is established and the defense claims damages are divisible. Kleitz v. Raskin, 103 Nev. 325, 738 P.2d 508 (1987).

5) Damages, what Nevada allows you to recover

A) Economic damages

Economic damages generally include:

1. Past medical expenses.
2. Future medical expenses and rehabilitation, when reasonably necessary and shown as a natural and probable consequence of the tort. Hall v. SSF, Inc., 112 Nev. 1384, 930 P.2d 94 (1996); Lerner Shops of Nev., Inc. v. Marin, 83 Nev. 75, 423 P.2d 398 (1967).
3. Lost wages, when caused by the injury and supported by records.
4. Loss of future earning capacity, when supported by evidence of reduced capacity. Freeman v. Davidson, 105 Nev. 13, 768 P.2d 885 (1989).
5. Household services, recognized as compensable economic loss. Yamaha Motor Co., U.S.A. v. Arnoult, 114 Nev. 233, 955 P.2d 661 (1998).

B) Noneconomic damages

Noneconomic damages typically include pain and suffering, disability, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Nevada recognizes pain and suffering as a classic general damages category largely left to the factfinder. Stackiewicz v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 100 Nev. 443, 686 P.2d 925 (1984). Nevada recognizes loss of enjoyment of life within general damages. Banks ex rel. Banks v. Sunrise Hosp., 120 Nev. 822, 102 P.3d 52 (2004).

C) Punitive damages (rare)

Punitive damages require statutory criteria and a heightened showing, and are not part of ordinary negligence valuation unless facts support oppression, fraud, or malice. NRS 42.005; Kmart Corp. v. Ponsock, 103 Nev. 39, 732 P.2d 1364 (1987).

6) Caps and special limitations can change case value dramatically

Depending on claim type and defendant, statutory limits may apply, such as:

• Claims against the State and political subdivisions. NRS 41.035.
• Noneconomic damages cap in professional negligence actions against providers of health care. NRS 41A.035.
• Collateral benefits statute in professional negligence actions against providers of health care. NRS 42.021.

If a cap applies, it can materially lower settlement value even when injuries are severe.

7) Insurance limits and collectability often set the real-world ceiling

Even a strong Nevada case may be limited by:

• the at-fault policy limits, and
• whether there are collectible assets beyond insurance.

Nevada requires minimum liability coverage for vehicles operated in the state. NRS 485.185.

In serious cases, UM/UIM coverage and other policies may influence recovery, but the case value still depends on proof and coverage.

8) Fee shifting and “offer of judgment” risk can affect settlement numbers

Nevada’s offer of judgment framework can shift costs and, in appropriate cases, attorney’s fees when a party rejects a qualifying offer and does worse at trial. NRS 17.115; NRCP 68. Nevada’s Supreme Court has addressed the analysis for awarding attorney’s fees under offer of judgment principles. Beattie v. Thomas, 99 Nev. 579, 668 P.2d 268 (1983).

This is one reason a case may settle higher or lower as trial approaches, both sides reassess the fee-shifting risk.

9) Liens and reimbursement affect what you actually take home

Gross settlement value and net recovery are different. Common Nevada lien and reimbursement frameworks include:

• Hospital liens. NRS 108.590; NRS 108.610.
• Medicaid reimbursement rights. NRS 422.293.
• Workers’ compensation liens in third-party cases. NRS 616C.215.

10) Settlement finality is real, value depends on timing and medical stability

Settlements are usually final. If you settle before you understand future care needs, you may be undercompensated. Nevada treats settlements as contracts. May v. Anderson, 121 Nev. 668, 119 P.3d 1254 (2005).

11) Deadline reminder

Most Nevada personal injury actions must be filed within two years. NRS 11.190(4)(e).

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Nevada legal authorities cited

• NRS 11.190(4)(e).
• NRS 17.115.
• NRS 41.035.
• NRS 41.141.
• NRS 41A.035.
• NRS 42.005.
• NRS 42.021.
• NRS 108.590.
• NRS 108.610.
• NRS 422.293.
• NRS 485.185.
• NRS 616C.215.
• Anderson v. Baltrusaitis, 113 Nev. 963, 944 P.2d 797 (1997).
• Banks ex rel. Banks v. Sunrise Hosp., 120 Nev. 822, 102 P.3d 52 (2004).
• Barnes v. Delta Lines, Inc., 99 Nev. 688, 669 P.2d 709 (1983).
• Beattie v. Thomas, 99 Nev. 579, 668 P.2d 268 (1983).
• FGA, Inc. v. Giglio, 128 Nev. 271, 278 P.3d 490 (2012).
• Freeman v. Davidson, 105 Nev. 13, 768 P.2d 885 (1989).
• Hall v. SSF, Inc., 112 Nev. 1384, 930 P.2d 94 (1996).
• Kleitz v. Raskin, 103 Nev. 325, 738 P.2d 508 (1987).
• Kmart Corp. v. Ponsock, 103 Nev. 39, 732 P.2d 1364 (1987).
• Lerner Shops of Nev., Inc. v. Marin, 83 Nev. 75, 423 P.2d 398 (1967).
• May v. Anderson, 121 Nev. 668, 119 P.3d 1254 (2005).
• Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug Stores, Inc., 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112 (2005).
• Sagebrush Ltd. v. Carson City, 99 Nev. 204, 660 P.2d 1013 (1983).
• Stackiewicz v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 100 Nev. 443, 686 P.2d 925 (1984).
• Turner v. Mandalay Sports Entm’t, LLC, 124 Nev. 213, 180 P.3d 1172 (2008).
• Warmbrodt v. Blanchard, 100 Nev. 703, 692 P.2d 1282 (1984).
• Williams v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 127 Nev. 518, 262 P.3d 360 (2011).
• Yamaha Motor Co., U.S.A. v. Arnoult, 114 Nev. 233, 955 P.2d 661 (1998).
• NRCP 68.

If you need assistance with your personal injury case, don’t hesitate to contact Friedman Injury Law.

Friedman Injury Law
375 N. Stephanie St., Ste. 1411
Henderson, NV 89014
P: (702) 970-4222
W: blakefriedmanlaw.com

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