Types of Personal Injury Compensation

If you suffered an injury as a result of an individual's negligence or wrongdoing you could be entitled to compensation. Learn more about the types of damages you can be awarded by speaking to an attorney who handles personal injury cases near you.

There are two major categories of damages that can be awarded in personal injury lawsuits which are economic and non-economic damages. This article will examine these categories and explain how they may impact the amount of compensation you're legally entitled to.

Economic Damages

If a person is injured in an accident, they could be entitled to economic damages. These damages could include medical expenses, lost earnings and property damage.

These types of damages are often very expensive, especially when there are serious injuries. Because they require extensive medical treatment. When they recover, patients may require mobility equipment or prescription medications.

These expenses can quickly mount up, so it is important to keep receipts. These receipts will help you determine the true worth of your losses and personal injury lawsuits increase your compensation.

Other types of economic damages in personal injury attorneys injury cases are lost wages and future earnings. The reason for this is that victims can be out of work for a number of months, weeks or even years after an accident. In this situation the compensation amount must reflect the amount the victim could have earned had they not been unable to work.

If a person is disabled or someone in the family dies due to an accident, the victim may be eligible to receive damages for services related to life. These include nursing, home health, and physical therapy.

Many people require assistance with the same tasks they did prior to their accident. These could include household chores, driving a vehicle and taking care of the outdoor, and providing childcare for the family member who is dependent.

In these cases an attorney might be able to provide receipts, bills, and other proof of the value of these items. They may also employ experts to testify to the worth of these damages.

The amount of damages awarded can be determined differently based on the specific needs of the victim and the circumstances that led to the accident. Typically, a jury will take into consideration a variety of factors when determining an award for economic damages.

These damages could include:

Pain and suffering

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

Emotional distress

This kind of damages are aimed at compensating the emotional stress that an injury can cause to a victim. This includes depression, anxiety and a loss of pleasure.

Disfigurement

This is a gift to someone who is injured and has suffered permanent disfigurement due to the accident. It can be very costly as many people require surgery or other treatments to correct or remove the disfigurements.

The loss of companionship and the consortium

This damages award is intended to help compensate for the loss of someone you love as a result. This is particularly important if the victim has children or other dependents.

Non-economic damages are a distinct element of the legal system, distinct as is economic damage, and Personal Injury Lawsuits are much less common. Non-economic damages may be subject to a greater burden of proof, however they are usually more difficult to determine than economic damages, and are not restricted by the same rules.