What are the three kinds of damages allowed in an accident lawsuit in Tequesta?
Tequesta, FL – The main purpose of a civil lawsuit is to ask the courts for relief in the form of monetary compensation. Whether the case ultimately settles or goes to trial, the plaintiff’s complaint will ask for a few different types of damages to cover their losses. Florida law divides compensation in injury cases into economic damages, non-economic damages or pain and suffering, and punitive damages. While there are some general rules related to all of these types of compensation, a lawyer should always be consulted for specifics about any accident case.
Economic damages
The economic damages in a lawsuit are the specific dollar amounts related to the plaintiff’s injuries and other losses. This normally includes medical treatment and other related healthcare costs, along with the person’s lost income and career losses. These are proven through things like documentation and invoices that can show specific costs, and economic damages are limited to these costs and projected future costs based on these problems.
Non-economic damages
These are sometimes called pain and suffering. Damages for pain and suffering are related to things like changes in a person’s lifestyle and quality of life problems related to any accident. It can be challenging to try to calculate or predict this type of compensation, as it is essentially up to the victim’s attorney to argue for an amount that they believe is sufficient for their client. However, pain and suffering tends to be much greater when someone was permanently injured or had major life changes due to an accident.
Punitive damages in Florida
Punitive damages are unique because they are not available in all cases. The idea behind this kind of compensation is that a person or business should be punished for engaging in some kind of reckless activity that is likely to cause harm to individuals or the public as a whole. There needs to be a finding that the defendant in the case either intentionally acted to cause harm or they engaged in behavior that was considered gross negligence.
Unlike economic or non-economic compensation, Florida law also has a damage cap on punitive damages. They are limited to either $500,000 or three times compensatory damages, whichever is greater.
Accident lawyers in Florida are available
Smith and Vanture is a law firm that handles accident lawsuits in Tequesta and other parts of Florida. Their lawyers can provide advice throughout the course of a personal injury lawsuit for compensation.
USAttorneys.com is a website that helps people get in touch with a lawyer who matches their needs in their city or state. Anyone who needs a referral can call 800-672-3103 to learn more.
Firm contact info:
580 Village Blvd. Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-684-6330
smithvanture.com
