Wondering about the types of damages in Personal Injury cases? Personal injury cases would result from property damage, injuries, or other types of losses for which compensation is sought from the source of the cause of the damage. The basic categories in which these damages are compensated from personal injury claims are known as punitive and compensatory. These two categories are discussed in detail below:
Punitive Damages
These damages are awarded in lesser instances as compared to compensatory damages and are not linked to the harm caused. Rather, these damages are a way of punishing the wrongdoer for despicable or wrongful behavior. A common scenario of this kind of damage would be in the case of a defendant being found guilty of fraud or malicious act. These could include sexual assault, fraudulent behavior, or battery.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages help in reimbursing or compensating a party that has been injured from some harm that they might have suffered. These types of damages will be applicable in cases including medical malpractice, cases of slip and fall, and auto accidents.
Such damages also get awarded in the cases of wrongful death. However, in such instances, the applicable damages are unique and will not mostly be applied elsewhere. There are two types of compensatory damages as specified below:
Special Compensatory Damages
These will be compensating for any monetary expenses that may be incurred as a result of an injury. Therefore, each type will be unique to a particular individual. Special damages will be covering any loss or damage in relation to an injury, and no limit will be experienced when it comes to the special damage claim types that a person can make. Some common types of such damages include:
- Future medical care costs
- Costs incurred as a result of altered plans or cancelled trips
- Household expenses
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of future earnings
- Medical bills
General Compensatory Damages
These damages will compensate an individual who has been injured for damages that are non monetary in nature and arise in the injury claim. Some common types include the following:
- Suffering and pain
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Mental anguish
Cases Of Wrongful Death
This claim will provide the damages for the surviving loved ones and family. Some common damages in this category include:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Pre-death medical care and associated costs
- Emotional distress of loved ones and surviving family
- Loss of financial contribution
- Loss of support and services
- Loss of consortium and companionship
If you want more information regarding this or want to know about the ways in which you can collect your damages, then feel free to get in touch with us by giving us a call. We would gladly cater to your needs and assist you in any way possible. Also, for further information on the services that we provide, contact Brock & Stout today.