I. Types of Damages You Can Receive After a Successful Personal Injury Case
If you filed a personal injury case against the party legally responsible for the accident or incident where you got hurt, then you made the right move.
A personal injury lawsuit represents one of your best chances to get compensated for everything you’ve suffered after sustaining that injury.
Once the court rules in your favor, you will find yourself at the receiving end of damages which it will order the individual or organization that caused you so much pain to pay.
These are the types of damages you will likely receive after your personal injury attorneys help you win your case.
II. Economic Damages
The financial repercussions of suffering an injury accidentally or deliberately caused by someone else are particularly burdensome, especially for those who were severely hurt.
If you win your personal injury case, the economic damages that the court may award you should cover the following:
- Past and future medical bills—diagnostic tests, drug prescriptions, physical therapy, and other medical expenses
- Lost income—includes salary, bonuses, and tips lost due to missing work while recovering from the injury
- Lost earning capacity—if severe injuries prevent you from returning to work in the same capacity
- Household services—hiring help to perform chores around the house while you’re recovering from your injuries
- House alterations—installation of handrails, wheelchair ramps, and other handicap aids
- Transportation services—payment for cab and ride-sharing services to help a victim get around
Calculating economic damages is relatively more straightforward since receipts, invoices, and payslips accurately reflect the cost or value of the expenses listed above.
Also, no state limits the amount of economic damages that you can claim in a personal injury case.
III. Non-economic Damages
If you also sued for non-economic damages, you will likely receive compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Reputational damage
However, because of the less than tangible nature of non-economic damage, calculating the amount could prove to be tricky. The process would be more or less subjective.
Your personal injury lawyer will have likely multiplied the amount of economic damages, then factored in the degree of pain you are suffering before arriving at a specific figure for the non-economic damages you deserve.
Most states do not implement a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases, but some states do enforce a limit on non-economic damages in cases involving medical practice.
IV. Punitive Damages
As the term suggests, punitive damages in a personal injury case are more of a punishment against defendants for their behavior than a way to compensate victims.
In most states, awarding punitive damages will depend on whether the court finds that the plaintiff acted with intentional misconduct during an accident or incident.
In some states, plaintiffs who have shown recklessness, malice, deceit, or gross negligence are also liable to pay punitive damages.
Calculating the amount of punitive damages is usually left at the jury’s discretion in a personal injury case.
Juries usually arrive at the amount of punitive damages by determining the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant’s conduct and the amount they believe, after considering the defendant’s financial condition, will punish and deter the defendant from behaving that way again in the future.
States don’t limit the amount of punitive damages. However, in most cases, punitive damages don’t exceed four times the amount of compensatory damages.
It’s true that no amount of damages will ever be enough to make up for all the suffering you had to endure because of someone else’s neglect, recklessness, or malice.
Still, the damages you will receive undeniably offer a certain degree of relief and closure, and that’s why filing a personal injury lawsuit will always be the smart thing to do.
V. Conclusion
It’s important to note that every case is different, as is every outcome. However, the best way to ensure the best possible outcome for your particular case is by hiring an experienced attorney to help you with your case. If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Arizona, please contact The Law Offices of Alcock & Associates, P.C. or call 602-989-5000 today to schedule your free consultation!
