Introduction
Someone who suffers harm or injury due to another party’s negligence or intentional actions may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury case.
Damages refer to the monetary compensation awarded to the injured party to help them recover from the physical, emotional, and financial losses incurred. This article will explore the various damages that can be collected with help from your Connecticut personal injury lawyer.
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Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible financial losses a person incurs due to injury. These damages are meant to compensate the injured party for the actual monetary expenses incurred or incurred due to the injury. Here are some common types of economic damages:
1. Medical Expenses: Medical expenses are one of the primary economic damages in a personal injury case. This includes costs related to hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, and any other medical treatments required due to the injury.
2. Lost Wages: If the injury prevents the injured party from working or earning income, they may be entitled to compensation for the wages lost during their recovery period.
This includes the income they would have earned if not for the injury and any potential future earnings affected by the injury.
3. Property Damage: In cases involving damage to the injured party’s property, such as a car accident, the victim may seek compensation for repairing or replacing the damaged property.
4. Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury causes a long-term or permanent disability that affects the injured party’s ability to earn income in the future, they may be awarded damages to compensate for the loss of earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective and are meant to compensate the injured party for intangible losses that are difficult to quantify in monetary terms.
These damages aim to compensate for the pain, suffering, and emotional distress experienced by the injured party. Some common types of non-economic damages include:
1. Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate the injured party for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the injury.
This can include ongoing pain, limitations on daily activities, and the overall impact the injury has had on the injured party’s quality of life.
2. Emotional Distress: Emotional distress damages are awarded to compensate for the psychological impact of the injury. This can include mental anguish, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other emotional consequences resulting from the incident.
3. Loss of Consortium: Loss of consortium refers to damages awarded to compensate the injured party’s spouse or family members for losing companionship, affection, support, and services due to the injury.
4. Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury significantly impacts the injured party’s ability to engage in activities they previously enjoyed, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
This includes hobbies, recreational activities, social interactions, and other aspects the injury affects.
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Punitive Damages
In rare cases, victims may receive punitive damages may be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for their intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
These damages go beyond compensating the injured party and aim to deter similar conduct in the future.
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Factors Affecting Damages
The number of damages awarded in a personal injury case can vary widely depending on several factors:
- The severity of the Injury: The severity of the injury and its long-term effects on the injured party’s life play a significant role in determining the number of damages awarded. More severe injuries with long-lasting consequences generally result in higher compensation.
- Medical Expenses and Treatment: The total medical expenses, including past and future treatments, surgeries, therapies, and medications, are considered when calculating economic damages.
- Impact on Daily Life: The extent to which the injury affects the injured party’s ability to carry out daily activities, work, and enjoy life is considered when determining non-economic damages.
- Comparative Fault: In some jurisdictions, the injured party’s negligence or fault may reduce the damages they are entitled to. The concept of comparative fault compares the degree of fault of each party involved in the incident and adjusts the damages accordingly.
Conclusion
In a personal injury case, damages are awarded to compensate the injured party for their economic and non-economic losses.
These damages aim to help the injured party recover financially, physically, and emotionally from the incident. When pursuing a personal injury claim, it is important to understand the different types of damages and the factors that influence their calculation.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights to seek the compensation you deserve.
Call or text (855)-285-3425 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form