What Defines “Damages” in a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury law provides victims who are injured due to the negligent or wrongful acts of others with the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault party and hold them responsible for their expenses, losses, and suffering. The ability to recover damages in a personal injury case is a legal remedy for negligence, and particularly when that negligence causes real injuries which disrupt the lives of victims and create physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
At Ross Moore Law., our firm is passionate about helping injured victims and families seek a full and fair recovery of their damages following preventable injuries. Because every case, accident, and injury is unique, we place an emphasis on personalized service in order to understand the full scope of how injuries impact the lives of our clients and their loved ones.
Under personal injury law, damages directly related to an injury and accident are generally recoverable, and it is our job to not only ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for these damages, but also that all damages are taken into full account so that we pursue the maximum compensation possible. Below are examples of the damages you might be entitled to following an injury:
- Economic Damages: Victims injured in preventable accidents often face a number of economic expenses and burdens. These economic damages are verifiable financial losses suffered by victims as a direct result of their injuries and they commonly include the costs of medical care and lost wages caused by missing work. In some cases, particularly those involving serious injuries, victims can also recover economic damages for any future medical needs they may have, as well as lost future wages or diminished earning capacity caused by impairment or disability.
- Non-Economic Damages: As opposed to economic damages, non-economic damages are more difficult to equate into monetary figures. This is because they are meant to compensate victims for their intangible injuries and damages, including their physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment or disfigurement, and loss of quality or enjoyment of life. Non-economic damages are a critical component of personal injury recoveries, and it takes an experienced lawyer to illustrate the extent of emotional injuries victims suffer when they have been hurt by the negligence or others. In some cases, families of injured or deceased victims may also be entitled to recoveries or non-economic damages for their emotional injuries and loss of support or companionship.
- Punitive Damages: Injured victims are nearly always entitled to economic and non-economic damages in personal injury cases, but there is another form of damages available in some cases: punitive damages. Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are not awarded in all personal injury cases, and are instead reserved for cases where wrongdoers commit egregious acts of negligence or willful misconduct, fraud, or malice. Punitive damages are designed to further punish wrongdoers for their inappropriate conduct and set an example that deters others from engaging in similar behavior. When available, our firm aggressively pursues a recovery of punitive damages to help our clients receive the maximum compensation possible.
Damages will always vary from case to case, which is why it becomes critical to work with a legal team that treats you as a real person, not a number. Attorney Ross Moore has established himself as a passionate advocate for the injured and an attorney who truly cares about the well-being and future of our clients. If you have questions regarding the damages you may be entitled to in your unique case, do not hesitate to request a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team. Call 844-404-7677 to get started.
