1. You're alive.

Some victims of malpractice don't survive and die as a result of injuries inflicted on them.

2. You can walk.

Some malpractice victims lose the ability to walk. Having this freedom is something we all take for granted each day.

3. You can talk.

The ability to speak and communicate is priceless. Those people who have had brain tumors or neurological injuries are speech impaired. They struggle every day to make their wishes known.

4. You can tie your shoes.

Believe it or not, this simple act becomes impossible when our muscle and nerve groups are disabled. We teach our young kids how to tie their own shoes, and it gives them a sense of independence. When we can no longer tie our own shoes because of malpractice, our daily lives have been affected.

5. You can eat.

Being able to eat independently is incredible. Many elderly folks can no longer eat by themselves and need help. Then again, some malpractice victims cannot eat on their own and need a feeding tube, or assitance with getting the proper nutrition.

6. You can see.

Our sight is another sensory device we all take for granted. Some people lose their sight from causes unrelated to malpractice. However, there are a number of cases where I have seen malpractice victims lose their sight directly due to malpractice. Having sight and then losing it is much worse than never having it at all.

7. You can recognize your family.

Some malpractice victims lose the ability to recognize their friends and family- just like alzheimer victims. They live in a shell where they no longer have the ability to understand who is familiar and who is not.

We should all be thankful for what we can do and accomplish each day of our lives. When we look at malpractice victims and their serious injuries, we are able to point out what part of their life has been taken from them- not what they have left, but what's been taken from them. That's the true measure of damages.