Types of Compensation for a Personal Injury Claim
When you’re hurt, you may need funds to cover the suffering you’ve been through. But calculating the value of those damages can be tough. What can you even include in terms of damages when you’re dealing with a personal injury claim?
After your accident, don’t hesitate to talk to your lawyer about all your suffering caused by the accident, not just your bills. Your lawyer can give you a complete picture of your compensation and help your claim succeed.
Compensatory Damages
When you’re seriously injured, you need compensation that covers the costs of your recovery. But how do you determine how much you should be compensated for?
Your lawyer can help you add up the costs of your losses, suffering, and other life changes caused by your accident. This harm can also be referred to as your compensatory damages, which can be economic or non-economic. Check out the details below and talk to your lawyer about the specific damages you may seek.
Economic Damages
The costs of recovering from an injury can be expensive. Your injuries can have direct and indirect impacts on your life that can affect your health, your career, and your future. Your economic damages should include any financial costs you suffered because someone acted negligently.
Below are just a few examples of the economic damages you may be due:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Household accommodations, like wheelchair ramps
- Rehabilitation
These damages are tough to calculate because they can span a long time. You may have your surgery planned now, but what if you need a second surgery later because of your injuries? You need the right tools to calculate these damages. Luckily, even future expenses can be estimated and added to your compensation.
Non-Economic Damages
But your damages aren’t just physical and financial losses. You likely have suffered emotionally and mentally, too. These damages are intangible, but they can still impact your life. For example, you may have suffered severe pain for your injuries, and you may be due compensation for that that’s separate from your economic damages. But how do you calculate these intangible damages?
To calculate damages like pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life, you need special tools. These calculators can determine your claim’s value based on the impact of your suffering on your life and the severity of your damages. Because these damages are based on your experience, not on financial costs, you may need to speak with a lawyer to calculate these figures.
Punitive Damages
If the at-fault party acted especially dangerously, you may be due more than compensatory damages. You may be due punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party acted more than negligently. In these cases, the responsible party may have acted wantonly and recklessly. They may have even intentionally hurt you.
Getting punitive damages isn’t easy or automatic. Your injury lawyer will need to prove the at-fault party was intentionally or grossly negligent. To get that verdict, they need to provide clear and convincing evidence against the at-fault party in a trial. These damages won’t be offered just because your claim is serious—in most cases, you and your lawyer must seek them out.
Get Compensated for Your Injuries with a Lawyer’s Help
After you’re hurt in an accident, you may be worried about getting compensated fairly. You may be worried about the verdict, especially if you don’t have courtroom trial experience.
That’s where the lawyers at The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo can step in. We have tools to calculate your damages, and we can seek compensation on your behalf. If you’re ready to ensure you get the compensation you’re due, start with a free consultation. Call 561-659-6366 or complete the following online contact form to get an in-depth look at your personal injury claim.
