Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
When an individual suffers an injury due to the negligence of another party, personal injury cases are likely to be filed. If there is a civil lawsuit filed against the at-fault party or entity, this is likely because the injured party or their family would like to receive financial compensation for their losses. In personal injury cases, the losses are called “damages.”
Types of Damages
Damages are covered to bring the injured individual as close to comfort, or the life they once knew before the injury, as possible. Pain and suffering may also be sought after. While there is not always a number that can be met or that can truly amount to the pain someone has suffered, damages are covered to fill that void as much as legally possible. Damages do not only come in a set dollar amount based on bills incurred, and there are several types of damages. The main “damages” covered in personal injury claims are discussed below:
- When a person is injured, they seek medical attention and incur medical bills. These may come full speed ahead following a personal injury incident. When an injury occurs, the injured party may have to see certain specialists, have tests run, and procedures or surgeries done because of it. Medical bills can vary based on what procedure is to be done, then gradually increase if an individual is required to stay overnight or continue ongoing treatment. Any medical bills incurred as a result of the injury may potentially be covered in a claim.
- Personal injuries are life changing and because of this, may cause a decrease in an individual’s work abilities. From this comes lost wages. In the event that an individual had to miss out on work, lost their job, or can no longer work as a result of the injury, this information can be documented for your claim and these losses may potentially be covered in a claim.
- Injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder can come from these incidents, which cause a temporary or lifelong burden of pain and suffering. This number is harder to calculate but this does not make it less due to the injured party. The worse the injury, the higher the medical bills, and the greater the loss, the more likely large damages simply for pain and suffering will be rewarded.
There are several things that are considered damages. Speak with a personal injury attorney, like a personal injury attorney in Atlanta, GA, to see what could be covered in a personal injury claim. Being injured due to someone else’s negligence should never be your burden. However, some things are inevitable. Because of this, the at-fault party or their insurance company may cover damages. Should you or someone you know be a victim of a personal injury incident, speak with a skilled attorney in your area to see what options you have.
Thanks to The Law Office of Andrew R. Lynch for their insight into damages in a personal injury lawsuit.