In personal injury cases, ‘damages’ refer to the financial compensation the wrongdoer gives to the injured party to help them recover from their physical, emotional, and financial losses. Damages play a critical role in personal injury lawsuits. You will need reliable legal representation for personal injury claims because the process is complicated.
You can hire a knowledgable lawyer from Ace Law Group in Las Vegas. The legal team involves award-winning and well-experienced personal injury lawyers. They are not afraid to defend their client’s rights and are committed to obtaining fair solutions.
Types of Damages connected with personal injury cases
1. Compensatory Damages:
Compensatory damages are the primary form of compensation awarded in personal injury cases. They aim to reimburse the injured party for their economic and non-economic losses. Compensatory damages are categorized into:
Economic Damages: These damages are calculable and typically include –
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Any other financial losses [because of the injury]
Economic damages are relatively straightforward, involving concrete expenses supported by bills, receipts, and other documentation.
Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are not easily computable. They involve personal losses such as –
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (deprivation of spousal companionship and support)
- Diminished quality of life
Calculating non-economic damages is challenging. It often depends on factors such as –
- The severity of your injury
- Its long-term impact on your overall life
2. Punitive Damages:
Punitive damages or exemplary damages are given as a punishment to the defendant –
- For their current wrongful behaviour
- To discourage them from repeating the same behaviour in the future
- To convey a message to others that illegal behaviour will never be tolerated
Punitive damages are rewarded to the victim in cases where the defendant’s conduct was willfully malicious or exhibited irresponsible contempt for the safety of others. The amount of punitive damages provided differs from one case to another. It is determined based on –
- Wrongful conduct severity
- Defendants’ financial resource capabilities
Remember, it is often substantial!
Future Damages: In cases where the plaintiff is expected to endure ongoing expenses and losses due to their injury, future damages may be awarded. These damages account for anticipated costs, such as future medical treatments, therapy, lost earning capacity, and ongoing pain and suffering. Expert witnesses and financial experts are commonly called to estimate and justify future damages.
Conclusion
Damages are critical in personal injury cases, as they reward the injured parties and hold offenders responsible for their actions. Assessing and compensating for personal injury requires thorough legal knowledge. A reliable Las Vegas lawyer carefully analyzes the facts and evidence and often takes supportive input from expert witnesses to ensure that justice is served and their client [the injured party] can move forward with their lives as fully as before they were injured.
