Understanding Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

TL;DR: Panic often sets in after a serious injury. Medical bills pile up, you can’t work to pay your bills or rent, and your pain becomes debilitating.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the complexities of personal injury law, many people don’t know the basics of what they can recover in an injury lawsuit, commonly referred to as damages.

Types of Damages

The main types of damages fall under compensatory damages, which are designed to restore you to the position you were in before the incident. These are divided into general damages and special damages:

1. General Damages

These are non economic losses that cannot be calculated with precision. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering.

• Loss of enjoyment of life.

• Scarring and disfigurement.

• Emotional and mental distress.

• Loss of companionship of a loved one.

2. Special (Economic) Damages

These are damages that can be calculated mathematically. Examples include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including the costs of medical devices and equipment.

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity from the time of the accident into the future.

• Out of pocket expenses, such as the cost of home care.

Why Your Lawyer Matters

When you’re involved in an accident, it’s essential that your lawyer understands exactly what you are going through. This ensures they can fight for all the damages you are entitled to.

• Find a lawyer you trust.

• Be fully open and honest with them about your situation.

By doing this, you can ensure your lawyer will advocate effectively to secure the compensation you deserve.

If this was helpful, keep going with What Are the Steps of a Personal Injury Lawsuit? and What Determines the Value of Your Personal Injury Case?.

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