Two Types of Damages Awarded in Personal Injury Cases
There are two categories of damages (i.e financial relief) an individual might be awarded if they were injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault—compensatory damages and punitive damages. Individuals can find out how much their case is potentially worth by scheduling an initial consultation with a skilled Largo, FL personal injury lawyer.
What are compensatory damages?
Compensatory damages are divided into two groups—economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to things like past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, household costs, and other accident-related expenses. These damages are usually easier to calculate because they are a reflection of a person’s monetary losses.
For instance, if someone were to seek compensation for the medical expenses they accrued as a result of an accident they didn’t cause, they could use the bills they received from their health care providers to calculate how much they should seek from the liable party.
Non-Economic Damages
The second type of compensatory damage an accident victim might be able to recover is non-economic damages. These types of damages are usually more difficult to calculate and therefore, individuals are encouraged to hire a Largo, FL personal injury lawyer who can do this for them.
Non-economic damages are generally awarded for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
It can be especially difficult for a person to determine just how much they should receive in non-economic damages because it isn’t a monetary loss they suffered. This is why victims need a qualified personal injury lawyer in Largo to help them gather the evidence needed to support their request for compensation.
Accident Victims Might Also be Entitled to Recover Punitive Damages
The second category of damages an accident victim might be entitled to recover is punitive damages. Punitive damages are usually awarded in cases that stem from a person’s harmful behavior. Drunk drivers or careless doctors who make medical mistakes might be sued for punitive damages as they know their behavior is likely to cause harm to others.
When punitive damages are awarded, they are meant to serve as a punishment to the negligent party.
Ready to speak with a Largo, FL personal injury attorney?
Whether a person suffered injuries in a car crash or construction accident, they might be entitled to recover compensation that can help them afford the medical care they need and pay for any other accident-related expenses they accrued.
If an individual would like to learn more about the process personal injury lawyers use to value cases and receive an estimate for what their injuries might be worth, they are invited to contact Trevena | James, Attorneys At Law at 727-581-5813.
With its office based in Largo Florida, Trevena | James, Attorneys At Law primarily practices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County, and throughout the state of Florida.
Trevena | James, Attorneys At Law is located at:
801 W Bay Drive, Suite 509
Largo, FL 33770
Phone: 727-581-5813
Website: www.trevenajames.com
