Types of Personal Injury Compensation
You could be entitled to compensation if you were injured due to negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Learn about the types of damages you can get by speaking with a personal injury attorney 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 discuss these two categories and discuss how they can affect the amount that you are entitled to for compensation.
Economic Damages
If a person is injured in an accident, they may be entitled for financial damages. These damages can include medical expenses, lost earnings, and property damage.
Often, these kinds of damages can be extremely expensive, particularly in the case of serious injuries. This is because they require intensive treatment. When they recover, patients might need to pay for mobility equipment or prescription medications.
These expenses can quickly grow, so it is important to keep receipts. These receipts will allow you to determine the true value of your losses and increase your compensation.
Other types of economic damages in personal injury cases include lost wages and future earnings. This is due to the fact that a victim could be out of work for months, weeks or even years after an accident. In these instances the victim should be compensated the amount they would have earned 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. personal injury attorney des moines could include home health care, nursing, and physical therapy services as well as other services.
Many people also require assistance doing the things they used to do before their accident. These include house chores, driving a vehicle and caring for the outdoor and taking care of the dependent family member.
An attorney may be able provide receipts or bills, as well as other evidence to prove the cost of these items in these instances. They may also engage experts to testify on the value of these damages.
The value of these damages can vary in a wide range depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident as well as the specific needs of the victim. A jury is typically considering numerous factors when determining damages.
Some examples of these damages might include:
The two most painful aspects of life are suffering and pain
This award is usually awarded to victims of serious accidents who have suffered emotional or physical injuries as a result of the accident. The awards can range from minor (a small amount of money for pain and suffering) to huge amounts of money (millions of dollars in a wrongful death case).
Emotional distress
This kind of compensation compensates victims for emotional trauma caused by an injury. It covers things like anxiety, depression and loss of enjoyment in life.
Disfigurement
A person who is injured and is permanently damaged due to an accident can receive this. It can be expensive as many people require surgery or other procedures to correct or remove disfigurements.
Loss of companionship and consortium
This damages award is intended to provide compensation for the loss suffered by a loved person due to the loss. This is especially important in the case of children or other dependents.
Non-economic damages are an independent part of the legal system that is distinct as is economic damage, and are more rare. Non-economic damages can be subject to a greater burden of proof, however they are usually more difficult to determine than economic damages and aren't subject the same restrictions.