What type of damages am I entitled to in a personal injury case?

Having an attorney who specializes in handling personal injury cases is crucial. Cases like these need the experience and knowledge of a professional who can help you get everything you deserve so that you can get back on your feet and get on with your life.

A common question clients have is: what type of damages am I entitled to in a personal injury lawsuit?

In general, damages fall into two categories:

• Economic damages. It refers to all those damages that can be quantified in money. This would include all medical expenses you have had or will have to have. For example, damage to your property, rehabilitation expenses, current lost wages, and future lost wages, lab tests, emergency room service, and all those expenses that you had to pay out of pocket and to which you can give an economic value. In the most devastating accidents which involve wrongful death, this would also include funeral and burial or cremation expenses.

• Non-economic damages. Likewise, these refer to all the damages suffered by the victim and/or relatives that cannot be quantified in money. Within this type of damage we can include: emotional or psychological pain and suffering; mental illnesses or disorders developed from the accident such as post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of joie de vivre, and loss of lifestyle; it can also include the loss of the ability to work, the loss of the company of a relative, etc.

These two types of damages are known as compensatory damages. However, it is essential to know that in addition to them, there are also punitive damages. There are situations in which a judge may find that the negligent party’s actions were grossly reckless or carried out maliciously. In this case, punitive damages are also included in the compensatory amount. Punitive damages are intended to punish the accused, a penalty that seriously affects their financial situation to prevent this behavior from being repeated in the future. Punitive damages generally have an amount limit that varies from state to state.

If you have any concerns or questions about a personal injury claim, at Nourmand Legal, we are experienced and at your service. Call now!