Facing any injury can be devastating, as it will likely cause a number of economic damages. As such, it’s essential to understand what kinds of damages you can receive compensation for when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. With the help of personal injury attorneys and the following blog, you can recover the compensation you are entitled to. Keep reading to discover more.
What are the kinds of damages in a personal injury lawsuit?
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you must specify the compensation you seek. Generally, there are three types of damages you can receive compensation for. These include the following:
Economic: Economic damages are measurable expenses directly related to your injury. These include hospital bills, lost wages, rehabilitative measures, and prescription medications. Economic damages are generally the easiest to receive as they are quickly calculable.
Non-economic: Non-economic damages can be more complex to calculate, as they are much more subjective. These are not tied to a direct monetary expense but represent things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and embarrassment. To determine the award amount, a jury must consider things like the severity of the injury, the injured party’s age, and how the injuries affect the daily life of the plaintiff.
Punitive: In general, punitive damages are rarely ordered. This is because this is a punishment for the plaintiff rather. Punitive damages are intended to deter the negligent party and others from similar actions in the future. The reason they are rarely ordered is because the conduct of the negligent party must be “outrageous” and “egregious.”
How can a Pennsylvania attorney assist me?
When seeking compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained, it’s in your best interest to enlist the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Unfortunately, navigating this process on your own can be confusing, and you likely will not receive the justice you deserve.
Your attorney will work with you to gather evidence to demonstrate the extent of the injuries you’ve suffered. For example, they will take your medical bills and employment records to illustrate the economic damages you’ve suffered. However, they may also use journal entries and testimony from your friends and family to highlight the non-economic damages you’ve suffered because of the accident.
When you need assistance navigating this complex process, the dedicated legal team at Friedman Schuman can help guide you through these uncertain times. We understand the issues that can arise when you are injured due to the negligence of another party. As such, our dedicated firm will do everything possible to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we will fight for you.
