Damages EstimatePain & Suffering
Pain and Suffering Calculator
Estimate non-economic damages with multiplier and per diem models.
JusticeFinder Tool
“Do I Have a Case?” Intake Screener
Wondering if you have a personal-injury case? This screener walks through the core elements — a deadline that hasn't passed, a real injury, someone else at fault, and evidence to prove it — and shows which look present, partial, or missing. It will never tell you 'yes, you have a case'; that's a legal judgment. It will tell you where you stand and what to check next.
Screen the elements of your claim
Answer a few questions and see which elements look present, partial, or missing — with deadline-first urgency and tailored next steps. Educational only; not a verdict on your case.
How long ago did it happen?
Were you injured?
Who was at fault?
How well is it documented?
At-fault party's insurance?
Elements of a claim
Filing deadline (statute of limitations)Looks present
You appear to be within the typical filing window, but deadlines vary by state and claim type.
Injury & damagesLooks present
Documented injuries and losses are the foundation of the damages side of a claim.
Liability (someone else at fault)Looks present
Clear fault on someone else is a strong foundation for liability.
Supporting evidenceNeeds attention
Some documentation helps; filling the gaps strengthens the claim considerably.
What this means
Of the core elements, 3 look present and the rest need attention. That's a reasonable starting point — but whether it adds up to a viable claim is a legal judgment only a licensed attorney can make.
Suggested next steps
This is an educational self-screen, not legal advice, and it does not tell you whether you have a case — only a licensed attorney can evaluate that. A free consultation is usually the right next step. Calculations run in your browser; nothing is saved.
Read JusticeFinder elsewhere
Short legal explainers on TikTok, visual case briefs on Instagram, daily threads on Threads — same independent editorial.
JusticeFinder Guides
Recommended Guides for Claim Strategy
Pair this calculator with the free adjuster tactics playbook and the paid claim kit to keep documentation, valuation, and negotiation aligned.
Car AccidentPremiumCar Accident Master Claim KitComplete 10-step documentation system for the first 30 days after a crash.$37View guide →
Insurance DefenseFreeInsurance Adjuster Tactics Expose + Defense PlaybookFree lead magnet exposing the 12 tactics insurers use to reduce or deny claims.FreeView guide →Free Checklist · Instant Download
Get the New Claim Starter Checklist
The first moves that protect a claim: confirm the deadline before it expires, lock down evidence today, document the injury, and walk into a free consultation organized. One email, no account, no spam. Educational only; not legal advice.
What goes into a personal-injury claim
Most claims turn on four things — and the deadline is the one you can't undo.
A workable claim generally needs a timely filing (within your state's statute of limitations), a real injury and losses, fault on someone else, and evidence to prove liability and damages. The screener checks each and flags where you stand.
The deadline comes first on purpose: it's the only element that can quietly expire. Confirm it before you invest effort anywhere else.
Why it won't say “yes, you have a case”
Honest screening points you to a lawyer — it doesn't replace one.
Whether facts add up to a viable claim depends on nuances of law and proof that a self-screen can't resolve. Any tool that declares “you have a case” is overstepping. This one is built to inform a conversation with an attorney — most personal-injury consultations are free — not to substitute for it.
The free New Claim Starter Checklist above organizes those first steps — confirming your deadline, preserving evidence, and preparing for a free consultation. Pair it with the relevant free tools and the case-preparation spreadsheet to keep the whole claim file in one place.
Related Resources
Use these pages and documentation tools to validate the estimate, preserve evidence, and keep the claim file organized.
Deadline
Statute of Limitations Calculator
Confirm your exact filing deadline — the element you can't recover if missed.
Liability
Fault Percentage Estimator
Pressure-test how liability is likely to be apportioned in your situation.
Evidence
Evidence Checklist
Build the records, photos, and proof that support liability and damages.
Spreadsheet
Case Preparation Checklist
Organize the whole claim — parties, deadlines, evidence, and damages — in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this tool tell me whether I have a case?
No — and it's designed not to. Whether a set of facts adds up to a viable claim is a legal judgment that only a licensed attorney can make. The screener shows which elements of a claim look present, partial, or missing so you can have a more informed conversation.
What are the elements of a personal-injury case?
In general: a timely claim (within the statute of limitations), a real injury and resulting losses, fault on someone else, and evidence to support both liability and damages. Weakness in any one can affect the whole claim.
Why does the deadline come first?
Because it's the one element you can't fix later. If the statute of limitations has run, even a strong claim is usually barred. That's why the screener checks timing before anything else.
What if an element looks missing?
It doesn't necessarily mean you have no claim — facts and law are nuanced. It means that area is worth discussing with an attorney and, where possible, shoring up (for example, preserving evidence or confirming your exact deadline).
Educational Use Disclaimer
This screener is an educational self-assessment only. It does not tell you whether you have a case, does not constitute legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Only a licensed attorney can evaluate a claim. If a deadline may be near or passed, consult an attorney immediately.
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See whether your state is no-fault or at-fault and whether you sue or use PIP after a crash.
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