What Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Case

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. There are different types of damages to which you may be entitled based on the specifics of your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can discuss with you the types of damages you may be entitled to recover.

 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are available to compensate you for any monetary losses you have sustained as a result of your injuries. They are tangible damages that can be easily quantified. Economic damages include things like:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Costs of ongoing care if necessary
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Loss of household services

Economic damages are easy to quantify and fairly easy to prove. Therefore, at trial, there is not much a jury has to do but add up the numbers.

 

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that don’t have a concrete monetary value. In a trial, they are subjectively evaluated by a jury. Non-economic damages include things like:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship or affection
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Some states limit the amount of compensation a plaintiff can receive for non-economic damages. In New York, however, there is no such limitation. Still, in some cases, collecting non-economic damages can be difficult. There is no one formula to adequately calculate one’s suffering. There’s room for discretion and disagreement. Working with the right personal injury attorney can ensure that you’re adequately compensated.

 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are uncommon in personal injury cases. They are only awarded when the defendant’s conduct is deemed extremely egregious. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant, not to compensate the plaintiff for any losses. To recover punitive damages in New York, it must be shown that the defendant acted with complete disregard for the health and safety of others.

 

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been injured due to someone’s negligence, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can discuss the types of damages you may able to pursue. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we’ve been helping injured New Yorkers for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.