Life doesn’t feel the same after an injury. Your body hurts, but it goes deeper than that. The things you used to do without thinking now feel out of reach. Morning workouts. Weekend hikes. Playing with your kids. Even laughing with friends over dinner.
When someone else’s actions take that away, you’re left with not only physical pain. You’re left with a loss that affects your purpose, plans, and peace of mind.
Can you sue for loss of enjoyment of life? The law says yes in Texas and New Mexico. That part of your life matters, and the toll it takes deserves a response.
Keep reading to learn what loss of enjoyment of life claims involve, how they work, and if your case can include this form of damages.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, please call (575) 222-1000 or send us an online message today.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life Means More Than Pain
A broken leg heals. A cut leaves a scar. Loss of enjoyment of life reaches deeper than that. It’s the legal term for the suffering you experience when an injury limits your daily life in lasting ways.
Texas and New Mexico courts recognize this type of harm in personal injury cases.
People recovering from serious injuries may qualify for compensation when they can no longer:
- Participate in hobbies and passions;
- Spend time with family or show up for celebrations;
- Play with their kids without interruption;
- Travel, exercise, volunteer, or go on outings as they once did; and
- Enjoy relationships or intimacy the same way.
Feeling disconnected from the life you knew before is not something you’re expected to simply “get over.” You can build a loss of enjoyment of life lawsuit that reflects what you’ve lost and are still living with every day.
What Loss of Enjoyment of Life Damages Can Cover
Loss of enjoyment of life falls into a category known as noneconomic damages. That means the harm doesn’t come with a receipt, like a medical bill or car repair estimate. But that doesn’t make it any less real.
To measure loss of enjoyment of life, courts and insurance adjusters look at your life before the injury and what it looks like now.
They ask:
- Did you play sports, hike, or stay active before the injury?
- Has your social life changed?
- Do you avoid gatherings, travel, or certain people?
- Do your injuries keep you from helping your kids, partner, or parents?
- Has chronic pain, disfigurement, or emotional distress made it harder to enjoy life?
Every case looks different. Consider a musician who loses the use of a hand, a parent with back pain who can’t lift their child, or a runner who now uses a wheelchair. These loss of enjoyment of life examples could be grounds for a claim.
What Injuries Often Lead to Loss of Enjoyment of Life Claims
Insurance companies pay closer attention to these claims when the injury leads to severe, lasting changes.
You may qualify for loss of enjoyment of life damages with injuries like:
- Spinal injuries that reduce mobility or cause long-term pain;
- Traumatic brain injuries that change your personality or focus;
- Burn injuries that require multiple surgeries or affect physical movement;
- Chronic pain or fatigue from car crashes or workplace accidents;
- Amputations, vision loss, or hearing loss that impact daily function; or
- Lingering effects of truck wrecks or oilfield accidents.
A temporary bruise probably won’t qualify. But a life-changing injury that changes your routine and emotional well-being? That deserves attention from the legal system and may call for compensation.
Can You Sue for Loss of Enjoyment of Life in Texas and New Mexico?
Yes. Both states allow personal injury victims to seek compensation for loss of enjoyment of life as part of a noneconomic damages claim.
Texas law treats this as general harm under personal injury statutes. Courts allow juries to weigh the severity of the injury, how long it affects the person, and what has changed in their life.
New Mexico also recognizes these losses, often grouped with emotional distress and lifestyle disruption. These damages may be available after traffic collisions, workplace injuries, or other serious accidents. Be aware: While most personal injury cases in New Mexico have no cap on noneconomic damages, medical malpractice cases are an exception. Those are subject to a $750,000 limit.
What Else Affects a Loss of Enjoyment of Life Lawsuit?
Whether you can sue for loss of enjoyment of life depends on more than the injury itself.
Several details can influence how these lawsuits unfold, including:
- The age of the injured person at the time of the crash;
- Whether injuries are temporary or permanent;
- The way the injured person describes the changes to their daily life;
- Medical records, therapist reports, or video diaries tracking recovery;
- Statements from family, coworkers, or coaches who saw the changes; and
- Prior life routines (the fuller the picture of your old life, the clearer the loss becomes).
Insurance companies often push back on these claims because they are subjective and harder to “calculate.” A solid case helps build that picture using facts, expert testimony, and credible medical support.
Suing for Loss of Enjoyment of Life Isn’t About Sympathy
You aren’t asking for pity when bringing a claim for loss of enjoyment of life. You’re asking for something closer to fairness.
The legal system can’t restore what someone’s negligence took away. However, suing for loss of enjoyment of life can assign value to that loss. It can shift the burden. And it can remind the person who caused the harm that the consequences go far beyond a sore back or a totaled car.
Don’t let insurance companies tell you what your story is worth. They don’t live with your outcome—you do.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., Your Quality of Life Is Part of the Claim
After a serious injury, it’s easy for insurance companies to focus only on what’s visible. But your life isn’t measured in X-rays or medical codes. It’s measured in the moments you’ve missed and the ones you’re still trying to reclaim.
Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. takes these losses seriously. Our attorneys represent clients in Texas and New Mexico whose injuries changed how they move, connect, and live day to day. We build cases that account for the full impact, including loss of enjoyment of life.
Call (575) 222-1000 or reach us online today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your legal options, when to sue for loss of enjoyment of life, and help you understand whether your case qualifies.
Alejandro Acosta
Alejandro Acosta is a lifelong El Paso resident and a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in Texas and New Mexico courts. He graduated from Cathedral High School and later St. Mary’s University before earning his J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, along with an Indian Legal Certificate for his work with tribal nations. Licensed in Texas since 2008 and New Mexico since 2011, Alejandro co-founded Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. to advocate for individuals and families seeking justice after serious injuries.
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