What are the types of damages in personal injury cases?
What are the types of damages in personal injury cases?
The types of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury case vary, depending on the specific situation. In general, damages are awarded for physical harm that the plaintiff sustains as a result of the other party's negligence. They can also be awarded for emotional harm and property damage.
The first kind of damages is called compensatory damages, and it is awarded to compensate the victim for injury or harm. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not intended to compensate the victim, but to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior. Punitive damages are awarded only when the defendant's actions were egregious enough to result in the victim's injury. In most personal injury cases, punitive damages cannot exceed ten times the amount of compensatory damages.
Non-economic damages are a more difficult type of compensation to prove in a personal injury case, and they are the ones that compensate the victim for pain and suffering that have been caused by the accident. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages cannot be proven with an invoice or bill. Therefore, attorneys use a formula or per diem to calculate noneconomic damages. These damages are based on the severity of the injury and the future costs of medical care.
Economic damages, on the other hand, are the monetary costs incurred due to the injury. These include medical bills, future medical costs, and household expenses, and will usually be easier to calculate. Pain and suffering damages are difficult to quantify, so it's best to seek help from an attorney with experience in such cases.
If you have any questions or need a Personal Injury Attorney, please call this law firm for a free consultation.
Ascent Law LLC
8833 S Redwood Road Suite C
West Jordan UT 84088
(801) 676-5506
