What Types of Damages Can I Recover?

Getting hurt due to another person’s negligence can be a life-changing experience. Whether you are in a car crash, slip and fall, or another type of accident, you may sustain physical and mental injuries. You should not have to pay for your own medical expenses, lost income, and other costs when you were not to blame for the accident that resulted in injuries. Below, our Wytheville personal injury attorney explains the types of damages you can hold the negligent party liable for paying.

Economic Damages Available in Personal Injury Claims

Economic damages refer to the losses you suffered as a result of an accident caused by another person’s negligence, carelessness, or maliciousness. These damages have an actual dollar value. Some of the most common types of economic damages include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income, including lost wages, vacation pay, and other employment benefits
• Loss of earning capacity, if you must return to a lower-paying job due to your injuries
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from doctors’ appointments

Because economic damages have an actual dollar value, they are easier to calculate than other types of damages. Still, it is important to speak to an attorney who can identify all of your losses and ensure they are included in your claim.

Non-Economic Damages Available in Personal Injury Claims

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not have a concrete dollar value. These damages cover your intangible losses, such as:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Non-economic damages are much harder to calculate because they do not have a fixed dollar amount. A Virginia personal injury lawyer will know the formulas to use in your case to ensure you receive the fair settlement you deserve.

Punitive Damages

Economic and non-economic damages are compensatory damages. This means they are intended to compensate you for your losses and help you recover as fully as possible after your accident. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not meant to compensate you for your losses. Instead, they are meant to punish defendants for grossly negligent or malicious behavior and deter them from acting in such a manner again.

Due to their non-compensatory nature, punitive damages are rarely awarded in Virginia. State law also places a cap of $350,000 on punitive damages. If there are multiple plaintiffs in a case, such as in a multi-vehicle car accident case, the cap on punitive damages applies to each plaintiff, meaning each injured individual can obtain up to $350,000 in punitive damages.

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Wytheville Can Help You Claim Full Damages

If you have been hurt through no fault of your own, you can file a claim for damages against the liable, or at-fault, party. Unfortunately, claiming the full compensation you deserve is rarely easy. At The Jackson Law Group, PLLC, our Wytheville personal injury lawyer can investigate your case, collect the evidence to prove your claim, and ensure you receive the full and fair damages you are entitled to.

Call us now at (276) 777-7654 or complete our online form to request a consultation and learn more about how we can help.