Types of Personal Injury Compensation

You may be eligible for compensation if you were injured due to negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Learn about the types of damages that you can get by speaking with a personal injury attorney near you.

In personal injury law firm injuries, there are two types of damages that may occur that are non-economic and economic. This article will explore these two categories and explain how they impact the amount you are entitled for compensation.

Economic Damages

A person could be entitled to financial damages when they are injured in an accident. These damages can include medical expenses, lost earnings, and property damage.

Often, these types of damages can be extremely expensive particularly in the case of serious injuries. This is because they will require extensive treatment. In addition to hospitalization, victims may need to pay for prescription medications and mobility equipment as they recover.

These expenses can add up quickly, and it is essential to keep receipts for these expenses. These receipts can help you prove the true value of your losses and boost the value of your compensation.

Other forms of economic damages in personal injury cases are lost wages and future earnings. This is because the victim could be out of work for weeks, months, personal injury attorney or even years after an accident. In these situations the victim is entitled to the amount they would have received if they could have worked.

A person who is disabled or lost a loved one because of an accident could be entitled to damages for life-care services. These could include nursing, home health care, and physical therapy services, among others.

Many people also need assistance doing the things that they used to do before their accident. These include household chores, driving a vehicle, taking care of the outdoors, and even providing care for a dependent family member.

An attorney might be able to provide receipts, bills, or other evidence to show the value of these items in these cases. They can also hire experts to testify to the value of these damages.

These damages can be valued different based on the particular needs of the victim and the circumstances that led to the incident. A jury will typically consider numerous factors when determining damages.

These damages can include:

Pain and suffering

The award is typically awarded to those who have suffered serious injuries who suffer physical or emotional injuries as a consequence of the accident. These awards could be minor (a few dollars for suffering) or large (millions in the event of wrongful death).

Emotional distress

This kind of damage is targeted at redressing the emotional stress an injury can cause a victim. It includes things like anxiety, depression and a loss of enjoyment in everyday life.

Disfigurement

An injured person who has been permanently damaged by an accident may receive this. This can be costly as many require surgery and other treatments to correct or remove imperfections.

Loss of friendship and consortium

The purpose of this damages award is to pay for the loss of the loved one as a result. This is especially important when the victim has children or other dependents.

The award of non-economic damages is an independent part of the legal system, distinct from economic damages, and it is much rarer. While they may be subject to the burden of proof higher and are more difficult to prove, non-economic damages are generally more difficult to value and are not subject to the same restrictions as economic damages.