Types of Personal Injury Compensation
If you've suffered an injury due to the negligence or misconduct of another party or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation. Learn about the types of damages you could get by speaking with a personal injury attorney near you.
In personal injury cases, there are two types of damages that can be sustained that are non-economic and economic. This article will examine these two categories and discuss how they affect the amount you are entitled for compensation.
Economic Damages
When a person is injured in an accident, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. These could include medical costs, lost wages, and property damage.
Most of the time, these types of damage can be very costly particularly in the case of serious injuries. This is because they will require extensive treatment. As they recover, victims might need to pay for mobility equipment or prescription medications.
These expenses can quickly add up and it is crucial to keep receipts. These receipts will allow you to determine the true value of your losses as well as increase your compensation.
Other common types of economic damages in personal injury cases include lost wages and future income. This is due to the fact that a victim could be without work for a period of weeks, months or even years following an accident. In these cases the victim should be compensated the amount they would have received if they had been able to work.
A person who is disabled or lost loved ones due to an accident could be entitled to compensation for life-care services. These can include nursing, home health care, and physical therapy services as well as other services.
Many people also require help to complete the tasks they used to do before their accident. These could include household chores, driving and taking care of the outdoor, and assisting the family member who is dependent.
In these instances the attorney might be able to provide receipts, bills and other proof of the value of these items. They may also engage experts to testify about the value of these damages.
The value of these damages can vary greatly based on the circumstances surrounding the accident as well as the specific needs of the victim. In general, juries take into consideration a variety of factors when determining an award of economic damages.
These damages can include:
Pain and suffering
The award is typically awarded to those who have suffered serious injuries who have suffered physical or emotional injuries as a result of the accident. These awards can be very minor (a few dollars for suffering) or substantial (millions in the event of wrongful death).
Emotional distress
This kind of damages are intended to alleviate the emotional trauma that an injury can cause to a victim. This can include anxiety, depression, and loss in enjoyment.
Disfigurement
It can be given to someone who is injured and has been permanently disfigured by the accident. personal injury law firm allentown can be costly because many people require surgery and other treatments to repair or remove disfigurements.
Loss of companionship and consortium
The purpose of this award is to compensate the loss of a loved one due to the accident. This is particularly important when the victim has children or other dependents.
The awarding of non-economic damages is a distinct part of the legal system as opposed to economic damages, and it is more rare. While they are subject to a higher burden of proof in the case of non-economic damages, they are more difficult to value and are not subject to the same limitations as economic damages.