When you’ve been wronged, hiring a personal injury attorney to litigate on your behalf makes good sense. There are different types of damages you can fight for after someone harms you. Understanding what they are will help you put together the most effective case. Here’s a quick rundown of the legal classifications of damages you may seek in court.
Special Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are those that relate directly to a physical injury. They vary greatly and are highly dependent upon the circumstances of your lawsuit. Accrued medical bills fall into this group, as do future medical expenses. If your injury causes an inability to work, you may also sue for loss of projected earnings. Even costs associated with altered plans, such as a canceled vacation or wedding, can be demanded to make you whole.
Wrongful Death Damages
Every time someone dies, related expenses must be paid. If the passing of a loved one was triggered by gross negligence, the individual at fault should be responsible for those costs. Related expenses include burial and funeral charges, as well as bills generated by hospital care leading up to your family member’s death. Additionally, less tangible factors, such as loss of companionship and emotional distress, can be factored into the equation.
General Compensatory Damages
Like with wrongful deaths, non-monetary damages can be claimed in any type of personal injury case. The dollar value attached to your pain and suffering is a subjective determination that will ultimately be made by a judge. Personal injury attorneys are skilled at arguing in court why these figures should be as hefty as possible.
Punitive Damages
These types of damages are awarded when a defendant’s behavior is deemed grossly unethical. Evidence showing a wanton disregard for someone’s safety or wellbeing can push awards into higher territory than would otherwise be the case. One example would be a financial loss caused by a broker who intentionally enriched him or herself at the expense of the client. Proof of bad intentions should incline a judge toward awarding more than in cases where damages are merely the result of incompetence. Successful companies with deep pockets are the most vulnerable to this type of attack.
Personal injury lawyers are experts at knowing which categories of damages apply to specific lawsuits. Because of their training, they’re best equipped to formulate an argument for why you deserve compensation. Hire a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer to get the most out of your case.
