Types of Personal Injury Compensation

You could be eligible for compensation if suffered an injury due to negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Find out about the kinds of damages you can get by speaking with a personal injury attorney near you.

In personal injury lawsuits injuries, there are two types of damages that may occur in the form of economic and non-economic. This article will go over the two categories and explain how they impact the amount you can claim for compensation.

Economic Damages

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

Most of the time, these types of damages can be extremely expensive, particularly in the case of serious injuries. Because they will require an extensive medical treatment. When they recover, patients may need to pay for prescription medication or mobility equipment.

These expenses can quickly mount up This is why it is essential to keep receipts. Receipts from these expenses will allow you to prove the true cost of your losses and increase the value of your compensation.

In personal injury cases, loss of earnings and future income are among the most common forms of economic damage. This is because victims may be out of work for weeks, months, or even years after an accident. In these situations the victim is entitled to the amount they would have earned if were able to work.

A person who is disabled or has lost loved ones due to an accident could be entitled to damages for life-care services. These include home health care, nursing and physical therapy as well as other services.

Many people also need assistance doing the things that they did prior to their accident. These include household chores driving a car and caring for the outdoor as well as taking care of a dependent family member.

An attorney could be able to provide receipts and bills or other evidence to show the value of these items in these cases. They may also engage experts to testify about the worth of these damages.

These damages are valued differently based upon the specific needs of the victim and the circumstances surrounding the accident. A jury will typically look at a variety of factors when determining an award for economic damages.

Some examples of these damages could be:

Pain and suffering

This is typically given to those who have suffered from severe accidents who suffer emotional or physical injuries as a result of the accident. The awards can be small (a few dollars for suffering) or substantial (millions in the event of wrongful death).

Emotional distress

This kind of damages are targeted at redressing the emotional strain that an injury can cause a victim. This includes anxiety, depression and a loss of enjoyment.

Disfigurement

This can be given to an injured person who has suffered permanent disfigurement by the accident. This can be costly as many require surgery and other treatments to correct or eliminate disfigurements.

Loss of companionship and consortium

This damages award is designed to compensate for the loss of someone you love due to the loss. This is particularly crucial for those who have children or other dependents.

Non-economic damages are an independent part of the legal system that is distinct from economic damages and is far less frequent. While they are subject to a higher burden of proof however, non-economic damages are typically more difficult to value and are not subject to the same limitations as economic damages.