It is common for an injured party to know that they can sue to recover damages. However, it is often the case that they do not know what exactly “damages” means or how many types of compensation it can include. Read on to find out what types of damages you may be entitled to be compensated for. Then, if you believe you have a case, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Actual damages
These are the damages you can prove for actual injuries. An actual injury refers to physical injuries and damage to property. These are generally fairly easy to prove and to come up with an amount, because the amount you will seek is related to the actual monetary value you lost.
Damages for emotional distress
In many cases, an accident results in more than just physical injuries, it leads to emotional distress. For example, a person who is injured in a pedestrian accident may find themselves afraid to walk down the street. Emotional distress can be short-lived, or it can involve long-term suffering, such as is the case with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Compensatory damages
This type of damage is intended to correct something in the victim’s life that is keeping them from living a full life. One example is a person who is in a car accident and is forced to have a limb amputated. Compensatory damages are intended to provide the victim with the necessary money to do what they can to feel whole again. This might include changes to their home, medical devices, and ongoing physical therapy.
Work-related damages
Most people in a serious accident will have been forced to take time off of work immediately after the accident, and others cannot work at full capacity for years to come – or ever again. Damages for lost wages and lost earning capacity are designed to make up for this. Note that even if you were able to take personal time off that your company paid, you can be compensated for those days.
Punitive damages
Many personal injury cases are the result of a person acting carelessly. However, in particular cases where gross negligence can be proven, punitive damages may be awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault party. They are rarely awarded and only in the most extreme and outrageous situations.
Wrongful death
If you are the survivor of a family member who died in an accident, then you may be eligible for wrongful death damages. They can pay for funeral and burial costs, loss of income, loss of consortium, loss of household duties, and much more.
No matter what your situation is, if you have been injured or you have lost a loved one in an accident, then it is likely worth talking to an attorney to find out what your options are. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
