The Different Types Of Compensation You Can Obtain In A Personal Injury Case
Seeking medical attention is necessary following an accident. But healthcare in the US is very expensive. Getting proper medical attention remains a dream for the working class. Spending your own money to get medical attention for an accident caused by someone else is not fair, which is why personal injury laws exist.
Through personal injury law, a victim can claim compensation from the at-fault party to cover their expenses. The victim can claim compensation only for the expenses they have incurred as a result of the accident. Other expenses will not be considered.
However, claiming compensation is not an easy task. Insurance companies make the claim process more complex to avoid paying out a huge, but deserving, sum to the victims. Consulting personal injury attorneys is the best way to obtain fair compensation without any hassle.
Types Of Compensation
You can claim compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. The three types of damages you can claim in a personal injury case are:
- Economic Damages
- Non-Economic Damages
- Punitive Damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages, or monetary damages, are the direct financial losses you incurred due to the accident. All the expenses, such as medical bills and property repair costs, are considered economic damages. Economic damages are easy to compute and prove.
You can collect bills for all the expenses you sustained due to the accident and submit them as evidence in court. It is fairly easy to prove these damages. Here are some of the economic damages you could sustain in an accident:
- Medical Expenses
- Property Repair Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Earning Capacity
A personal injury attorney can help you claim these damages by providing proof of damages and satisfying all four elements of personal injury law.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the non-financial losses you have sustained due to the accident. These damages are very hard to compute and claim. You cannot fix a definitive number for non-economic damages. Non-economic losses indicate the mental suffering of the victim.
Proving non-economic damages is also harder than proving economic damages. You need a lawyer to prove these losses and claim compensation for them. Here are some of the non-economic damages you might sustain in a personal injury case:
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Emotional Suffering
- Loss of Consortium
- Disfigurement
Claiming compensation only for economic damages is not effective. Holding the at-fault party responsible for the pain they have inflicted on you is important. A lawyer can do that for you.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages, or disciplinary damages, are awarded in rare cases to punish the defendant rather than compensate the victims. Punitive damages are intended to discourage the defendant from repeating this type of activity. They serve as a reminder to the public that unlawful behavior has severe consequences.
Punitive damage is only awarded when the actions of the defendant are particularly malicious. You could claim punitive damages in most DUI accident cases and wrongful death cases.Speak with your lawyer to know if you can file for punitive damages in your case. A lawyer can help you obtain punitive damages, if applicable.
Final Thoughts
Economic, non-economic, and punitive damages are the three types of damages you can claim in a personal injury case. The process of obtaining a settlement is complex and requires the intervention of an experienced personal injury attorney. Speak with the lawyer to know what types of damages you can claim for your case. Not consulting a lawyer might result in obtaining less compensation. Hire a lawyer and get what you deserve.
Read Also:
Share this article:
