Types of Personal Injury Compensation

You may be qualified for compensation if suffered an injury due to the negligence or wrongdoing of a third person. Consult an attorney who specializes in personal injury law firms injury near you to find out more about the damages you may be entitled to.

There are two major types of damages that can be awarded in personal injury lawsuits which are economic and non-economic damages. This article will discuss these two categories and discuss how they impact the amount you can claim for compensation.

Economic Damages

When a person is injured in an accident, they could be entitled to financial compensation. This could include medical expenses along with lost wages and property damage.

These kinds of damages can often be very costly, especially if there are serious injuries. This is because they require extensive treatment. After recovering, patients may need to pay for prescription medication or mobility equipment.

These expenses can mount up quickly, which is why it's important to keep receipts of these expenses. The receipts you keep can help you prove the true amount of your losses as well as increase the value of your compensation.

In personal injury cases, lost wages and future income are among the most common forms of economic damage. This is because a victim may be without work for a period of months, weeks, or years after an accident. In this situation the compensation amount must reflect the amount the victim would have earned if they were not in a position to work.

If a person is disabled or the death of a family member occurs in the aftermath of an accident, the victim could be entitled to damages for life care services. These include nursing, home health and physical therapy.

Many people also require help doing the things they used to do before their accident. This could include household chores, driving a vehicle or taking care of the outdoors, and even providing care for someone in the family who is dependent.

An attorney might be able to provide receipts or bills, as well as other evidence to prove the cost of these items in these cases. They can also employ experts to testify regarding the value of these damages.

These damages may be valued differently based on the specific needs of the victim and the circumstances that led to the accident. A jury typically takes into consideration various factors when determining damages.

Examples of these damage could include:

Pain and suffering

This award is typically given to victims of serious accidents who suffer physical or emotional injuries as a result of the accident. These awards can be very minor (a few dollars for suffering) or personal injury lawsuits huge (millions in the event of wrongful death).

Emotional distress

This type of damages is designed to compensate for the emotional trauma that an injury can cause a victim. This includes anxiety, depression, and loss in enjoyment.

Disfigurement

A person who is injured and is permanently damaged due to an accident can receive this. It can be very costly, as many people need surgery and other treatments to repair or remove disfigurements.

Loss of companionship and consortium

The damages award is intended to compensate the loss of a loved one in the event of an accident. This is particularly crucial in the case of children or other dependents.

The award of non-economic damages are a distinct part of the legal system as opposed to economic damages, and is more difficult to obtain. Non-economic damages are subject to a higher burden of evidence, but they are generally more difficult to assess than economic damages and are not subject the same restrictions.