If you have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to recover damages. Damages are monetary compensation that is awarded to victims of personal injury to compensate them for their losses.
There are two main types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the victim for the actual losses that they have suffered as a result of the accident. Compensatory damages can include both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses are financial losses that the victim has incurred as a result of the accident. Examples of economic losses include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Future medical expenses
- Future lost wages
Non-economic losses are intangible losses that the victim has suffered because of the accident. Examples of non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
Punitive damages are not designed to compensate the victim for their losses. Instead, punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongdoing and to deter others from engaging in similar behaviour. Punitive damages are only awarded in rare cases, where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.
The amount of damages that you can recover in a personal injury case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the facts of your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you assess the value of your case and fight to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Here are some examples of types of damages that have been awarded in personal injury cases:
- A victim of a car accident who suffered a broken leg and was unable to work for several months was awarded $100,000 in damages, including $50,000 for medical expenses and $50,000 for lost wages.
- A victim of a slip-and-fall accident who suffered a brain injury and was permanently disabled was awarded $1 million in damages, including $500,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for pain and suffering.
- A family of a child who was killed in a car accident was awarded $5 million in damages, including $2 million for funeral expenses and $3 million for the loss of their child.
If you have been injured in an accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can fight to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.
