What Compensation Can You Seek in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A personal injury lawsuit is a legal action that seeks to hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused you.
This article highlights the various types of compensation you can seek in a personal injury lawsuit, how they are calculated, and how to find a personal injury attorney who can help you with your case.
Types of Personal Injury Compensation
There are two main categories of compensation that you can seek in a personal injury lawsuit: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse you for the actual losses you suffered as a result of your injury. They can be divided into two subcategories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible and measurable losses that you incurred because of your injury. They include:
- Medical expenses: They take care costs of any medical treatment you received or will need in the future for your injury, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, medication, physical therapy, etc.
- Lost wages: Covers the income you lost or will lose due to your injury, such as wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, etc. It also includes the loss of earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to work in the future.
- Property damage: This covers the costs of repairing or replacing any property that was damaged or destroyed in the accident, such as your car, bike, phone, etc.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses: The coverage inlcudes any other expenses that you had to pay because of your injury, such as transportation costs, childcare costs, household services, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible and subjective losses that you experienced because of your injury. They include:
- Pain and suffering: Covers the physical and emotional pain and distress that you endured because of your injury, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc.
- Emotional distress: The coverage deals wih the psychological impact that your injury had on your mental health, such as fear, anger, humiliation, shock, etc.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: This covers the loss of your ability to enjoy the activities and pleasures that you used to enjoy before your injury, such as hobbies, sports, travel, etc.
- Loss of consortium: This take care of the loss of your relationship with your spouse or partner due to your injury, such as companionship, affection, intimacy, etc.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not meant to compensate you for your losses, but to punish the responsible party for their reckless or malicious conduct. They are only awarded in rare cases where the defendant acted with extreme disregard for your safety or rights. Punitive damages are meant to deter the defendant and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
How Are Personal Injury Compensation Calculated?
Many factors determine the amount of personal injury compensation. The most important elements according to Onward Injury Law are the severity of your injuries, their impact on your life and daily activities, and the expenses and losses you incurred.
The more severe and life-altering the injuries, the greater the impact on your health, work, and personal life, and the higher the medical and economic losses, the larger the likely compensation. Other considerations include how responsible the liable party is, any insurance coverage, and the applicable state laws.
The compensation seeks to make you financially whole again for the injuries you suffered due to someone else’s negligence. It covers your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses, as well as pain and suffering.
The more objectively verifiable losses and severity of injuries you have, the stronger your compensation claim. The laws provide guidelines and frameworks, but ultimately similar cases can result in a wide range of compensation awards, depending on factors specific to each individual case.
Ultimately, there is no fixed formula or standard for calculating personal injury compensation. Each case is unique and requires a careful evaluation by an experienced personal injury lawyer who can assess the value of your claim based on the evidence and circumstances of your case.
How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by negligence, consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help establish your legal rights, investigate the cause and extent of your injuries, gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate on your behalf, represent you in court, and seek maximum compensation.
To find an effective lawyer, get referrals from trusted sources. Search reputable directories and review client testimonials. Make sure the lawyers have relevant experience and credentials. Schedule free consultations to discuss your case and ask questions to determine the lawyer’s competence and resources. Ideally, choose a lawyer who works on a contingency basis where you only pay if your case is successful.
In summary, a personal injury lawyer can provide crucial legal expertise and representation when pursuing compensation after an accident. To select the right lawyer for your case, carefully research candidates and evaluate their qualifications, experience and track record before choosing one that you trust and feel confident will zealously advocate on your behalf.
Conclusion
A personal injury lawsuit spearheaded by respectable law firm such as Onward Injury Law in Bloomington, IL can help you recover compensation for the losses that you suffered due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and interests. A personal injury lawyer can help you seek the compensation that you deserve and ensure that justice is served.
