George, Jerry, and Harry are passengers on a flight from Chicago to New York. They injure their legs when their seatbelts fail and become unfastened during take-off. The airline is sued by all three together for injuries caused, and the airline is found to be negligent and is directed by the court to pay damages to the injured parties. Which of the following parties is entitled to recover maximum damages?
A) George, a retired professor who gets a pension of $50,000 a year
B) Jerry, a football player who earns $2 million a year
C) Harry, a chartered accountant who earns $200,000 a year
D) George, Jerry, and Harry

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amount of damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit usually depends on a number of factors such as the severity of the injury, the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. While all three may be entitled to some damages, Jerry, the football player who earns $2 million a year, is likely to be awarded the maximum damages due to his high earning capacity and potential lost wages from the injury. George's pension may also be taken into consideration, but it is unlikely to affect the amount of damages granted. Harry's salary is high, but not as high as Jerry's, and therefore he may be awarded less damages than Jerry.

George, Jerry, and Harry Are Passengers on a Flight from Chicago