What Damages Are Covered In A Personal Injury Suit?

When you suffer an injury that is the direct (or indirect) result of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This compensation is designed to help alleviate - or compensate for - the financial, physical, and emotional stress that your injuries cause. 

"Damages" is the word used to refer to the consequences, both financial and non-financial, of your accident. If you prevail, your settlement will be designed to compensate you for these damages. This week, our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury attorneys are here to explore exactly what can be included in the damages of a personal injury case.


Financial Damages

When most people think about the damages sustained in a personal injury case, they think of the financial aspects. Examples of these financial damages commonly include:
  • Medical bills from the time the injury until one is fully recovered or the projected expenses of future treatment
  • Lost wages due to the inability to work
  • Lost future wages due to lasting injuries or long-term disability
  • Cost of household tasks that you now have to pay someone else to do, since you are no longer able to do them yourself
  • Cost of repairs to your vehicle or other personal property that was sustained during the accident

As you can see, the amount of compensation you may be entitled to for your economic damages will vary greatly depending on the severity of your injury. 

Non-Financial Damages

While your financial needs will most likely be your immediate concern, they aren't the only damages that may warrant compensation. Here are some examples of the non-economic damages that are commonly addressed in a personal injury lawsuit:
  • Pain
  • Suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Humiliation
  • Worsening of previous injuries
  • Damage to your reputation
  • Loss of companionship (this is designed to compensate a family for the loss of their relationship with a victim who was killed in an accident)
  • Wrongful death (designed to compensate a family who lost a loved one as a result of someone else's negligence)

Of course, no amount of money can truly compensate for the heartache and emotional loss that comes from losing a loved one in an accident or learning that your injury will cause lifelong disability. However, a financial settlement can ease some of the additional stress that often accompany this type of loss.

Why You Need A Personal Injury Attorney

Determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to for your economic damages is easy, since each of those damages comes with a specific price tag. The challenge lies in assigning a numerical value to non-economic damages. It will be up to you and your Missouri personal injury attorney to assign a value you decide is fair and just for your situation.

Some personal injury settlements are worth a few thousand dollars, and some total several million. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney will increase your chances of earning a high settlement.

Contact PMCW Law For Representation

If you are injured as a result of someone else's carelessness or negligence, we hope you'll consider scheduling a consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys in Camden County MO. We have experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases and would be honored to help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. Contact our law office in Camdenton MO to schedule your initial consultation.


Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
(888) 236-2485 - Toll Free
(573) 346-4411 - Fax


Like Us on Facebook

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

5 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney

Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage

Get to Know YOUR Lawyer - Charles E. McElyea