When you’re injured in an accident, the physical pain and emotional toll can be just as significant as the financial costs. At Ross Moore Law, we understand that compensation isn’t just about covering your medical bills or lost wages. It’s also about recognizing the invisible losses that impact your quality of life. These losses are known as non-economic damages, and they play a critical role in many Georgia personal injury cases.
In this guide, we’ll break down non-economic damages and how our Atlanta personal injury law firm can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What Are Non-Economic Damages in Personal Injury Cases?
Non-economic damages refer to the intangible losses someone suffers after a personal injury. Unlike economic damages, which cover things like hospital bills, rehabilitation, and lost income, non-economic damages compensate for an injury’s impact on your life.
These damages don’t come with receipts or invoices. You can’t show a specific dollar amount for pain or the loss of enjoyment in your life. Instead, they are meant to address how your injury has affected your daily life, mental state, and relationships.
In Georgia, non-economic damages are a critical part of personal injury compensation and can significantly influence the total value of a case.
Types of Non-Economic Damages in Georgia
Georgia law allows injured individuals to pursue several kinds of non-economic damages. Here are the most common.
Pain and Suffering
This is the most well-known type of non-economic damage. It covers the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries, both immediately after the incident and into the future. For example, if you were in a car accident and suffered a back injury, pain and suffering damages would account for ongoing discomfort, difficulty of sleeping, and the strain of managing chronic pain.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress refers to the mental anguish and psychological trauma an injury may cause. This can include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotional distress damages can also apply if you suffer from a fear of driving after a car crash or experience nightmares related to your injury.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
This type of damage compensates you for the loss of ability to enjoy activities you once loved. Maybe you were an avid runner or simply loved spending time playing with your kids, but your injury now makes those activities impossible or difficult. Loss of enjoyment of life focuses on how your injury has changed your lifestyle.
Loss of Companionship or Consortium
These damages focus on how your injury affects your relationships with loved ones. If your injuries impact your ability to show affection, provide companionship, or maintain a physical relationship with a spouse, you may be entitled to compensation. In Georgia, a spouse can also file a claim for loss of consortium due to their partner’s injury.
Disfigurement and Scarring
If your injury results in permanent disfigurement, visible scarring, or loss of a body part, you may be awarded non-economic damages for the emotional and social consequences of your appearance changing. These damages consider embarrassment, lowered self-esteem, or social anxiety related to disfigurement.
Proving Non-Economic Damages
Because non-economic damages don’t come with a price tag, proving them can be challenging. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney who understands how to build a compelling case.
Here are some common ways non-economic damages are demonstrated:
- Medical records: These provide details about the extent and duration of your injuries, treatments, and any long-term effects.
- Psychological evaluations: Expert testimony from therapists or psychologists can show the emotional impact of your injuries.
- Personal testimony: You may be asked to explain how your life has changed since the injury, including details about pain, relationships, or emotional struggles.
- Witness statements: Family, friends, or coworkers can describe how your personality, abilities, or lifestyle have changed.
- Journals or diaries: Keeping a record of your daily pain levels, emotional challenges, or missed activities can provide powerful insight into your suffering.
A strong personal injury claim shows the impact of the injury on your life.
How Are Non-Economic Damages Calculated?
Calculating non-economic damages isn’t as straightforward as totaling up receipts. But there are generally accepted methods and factors courts and insurance companies use to assign a fair value.
Key Factors
Several factors affect how much compensation you might receive for non-economic damages:
- Severity of the injury
- Recovery time
- Long-term or permanent disabilities
- Impact on daily activities
- Age and overall health
- Degree of emotional trauma
- Changes in relationships or quality of life
Insurance adjusters and juries use these factors to determine how significantly the injury has altered your life.
Multiplier Method
One common way to calculate pain and suffering damages is the multiplier method. This approach involves multiplying your economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) by a number usually between 1.5 and 5, depending on how severe your injury is.
For example, if your economic damages are $20,000 and the injury is moderate, with a multiplier of 3, your non-economic damages would be estimated at $60,000.
Per Diem Method
The per diem method assigns a daily dollar value to your pain and suffering. This amount is then multiplied by the number of days you are expected to experience pain, discomfort, or disruption in your life.
Example:
- Daily rate of $150 (based on pain level, job type, and lifestyle)
- You experience pain for 180 days
- Total non-economic damages would be $27,000
Both methods rely on presenting a convincing narrative supported by documentation, testimony, and expert input.
How an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Working with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney is crucial when seeking non-economic damages. These types of damages are subjective and often heavily debated by insurance companies.
Here’s how Ross Moore Law can help you maximize your compensation.
Case Evaluation and Strategy
We evaluate every aspect of your case to understand how your injury has impacted you. This allows us to build a strategy aimed at maximizing both economic and non-economic compensation. We also evaluate if your case may qualify for punitive damages.
Gathering Evidence
We collect medical records, witness statements, psychological evaluations, and personal testimony to create a compelling narrative of your suffering and loss.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize non-economic damages because they aren’t as easy to quantify. We fight aggressively to ensure they recognize the full value of your losses.
Taking Your Case to Trial
If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. We have a proven track record of presenting powerful arguments that resonate with juries.
Contact Ross Moore Law for a Free Consultation
Non-economic damages may be invisible, but their impact is real and lasting. Whether you’re suffering from chronic pain, depression, or the loss of enjoyment in your life, these damages deserve recognition and fair compensation.
At Ross Moore Law, we’re committed to fighting for injury victims across Georgia. As a trusted Atlanta personal injury law firm, we know how to present your story and pursue the full value of your claim, including non-economic damages. You don’t have to face this battle alone.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury, call 404-445-8122 or contact us online for a free consultation.
