3 Types of Damages in Personal Injury Claims

November 27, 2023
After suffering an injury, you may be eligible to claim damages if someone else was to blame for the accident. For example, according to The Wandering RV, there are 16,438 car crashes per year on average, and many of these accidents may be caused by another driver's negligence. Personal injury attorneys can help you navigate these often confusing and overwhelming claims. It helps if you have a basic understanding of the types of damages you can claim in a personal injury case.

1. Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are the most common type in personal injury cases. These are intended to compensate the injured person for their financial losses due to the injury. Compensatory damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Compensatory damages can be categorized as special or general.

2. General or Non-Economic Damages

General or non-economic damages are often difficult to calculate. The intention of these types of claims is to compensate the victim for harm that can't be assigned a monetary value. This can include things such as inconvenience, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, dismemberment, disfigurement, or mental anguish.

3. Punitive Damages

Other damages you could claim in a personal injury case include punitive damages. These are awarded when there was some type of extreme recklessness that caused your injury. These are not as common as other damages. Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment against the accused because their behavior was especially harmful. For example, if an employer knew about risks associated with a medication and did not disclose that information and a person was injured by that medication, a punishment in the form of punitive damages could act as a price for the company.

Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

A personal injury case can be challenging. Not only are you trying to recover from your injury but facing a legal battle can be stressful as well. This is why it's a good idea to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side. These professionals can help you navigate these often confusing and intimidating waters. Your chances of recovering damages in your case are much better if you have a lawyer to assist you.

If you've been injured because of another person's negligence, our personal injury attorneys at Wood & Gresham, PC can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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