What types of damages are in a personal injury case?
When the victim of an accident files a civil lawsuit seeking damages for their injuries, a judge may award two types of compensation: compensatory and punitive. Damages in such a case are meant to alleviate the financial costs associated with the injury and, in some cases, as a way to punish the person found to be at fault.
Compensatory damages are those that are awarded by a judge to repay a victim for medical bills and other losses. They may also be awarded to prevent further financial loss in the future. A judge may also award compensatory damages when a person is unable to return to work as a result of their injuries and lost income. Types of compensatory damages include:
- Lost income and wages
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Emotional distress
- Property loss
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment
- Payment for day-to-day assistance like housekeeping or childcare
Punitive damages are not typical in personal injury cases, being reserved for the most egregious of incidents. These damages are handed down by a judge as a way to deter the defendant from error or negligence in the future. Although they are rare, punitive damages are awarded and your incident may qualify as one of the exceptions.
If you are injured in Pensacola, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney for assistance in determining which type or types of compensation you may be entitled to. You should not suffer financial difficulty due to an accident.
