What are types of damages arising from personal injury?

When you’ve been injured in an accident, you may experience a sudden and drastic increase in financial losses. For one, your injury might result in medical bills and an inability to return to work right away. That might not be all you lose, either. The good news is that you may be able to recover from some of those losses by seeking out a personal injury lawsuit with the help of injury attorneys in Las Vegas. Below, we’ll go over the top types of compensation you can recover by seeking out a claim.

Monetary Compensatory Damages

Economic damages are the most common type of compensation awarded in personal injury cases. These types of damages are any form of financial loss or out-of-pocket expense that can be quantified with documentation and that resulted from the accident.

The best way to describe monetary damages is the reimbursement for any money you spent recovering from your losses. Below, we’ll go over some of the most commonly awarded types of economic or monetary compensatory damages.

Medical Bills

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The number one form of economic damages comes in the form of reimbursement for medical bills. These costs include both current medical costs and potential future medical costs associated with the injury. You can easily prove these losses by bringing copies of your medical bills to your attorney.

Lost Wages
During the initial aftermath of the accident, you might miss time off of work. Even worse, any injuries might prevent you from returning to work right away. If you’re missing out on income you would have received if you weren’t injured and could work, you might be able to pursue compensation in the form of lost wages. Contact injury attorneys in Las Vegas who can help explain what type of documentation to get from your employer to prove how much income you’re losing out on.

Property Damage
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that medical bills are the only type of monetary damages you can receive in a personal injury claim. Another common form of compensation is awarded when the accident results in property damage. In a car accident, for instance, your vehicle may have suffered damages. You can prove property damage by bringing repair bills or other receipts.

Burial Costs and a Loss of Spousal Support
Sadly, negligent accidents can sometimes result in fatalities. In these cases, surviving family members and loved ones can still seek a personal injury lawsuit. These types of claims are called wrongful death claims. In these cases, you can seek damages in the form of burial costs and a loss of spousal support. There are other forms of wrongful death damages, so you should reach out to a Las Vegas personal injury law firm if your loved one passed away in an accident that was someone else’s fault.

Non-Monetary Compensatory Damages

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Did you experience other losses from your accident that aren’t easy to value? Not every financial loss you will endure will come with a neat receipt. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common types of non-monetary damages awarded in personal injury lawsuits designed to restore the victim to the financial state they were in before the accident.

Pain and Suffering
The most common type of non-monetary compensatory damages comes in the form of pain and suffering. A personal injury law firm in Las Vegas can prove pain and suffering by showing a judge or jury how the accident caused emotional distress. If the injured person is suffering from nightmares or panic attacks, then they might be able to recover some compensation for their pain and suffering.

Disfigurement
If you suffer from scars or disfigurement, then that’s another reason to get in touch with a Las Vegas personal injury law firm. A good lawyer can get you into contact with a medical witness who can testify on behalf of your injury and the impact it might have on your overall mental health.

Punitive Damages

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The second type of compensation awarded in personal injury claims is called punitive damages. While compensatory damages are awarded in order to restore the injured party financially, courtrooms award punitive damages for a different reason. These damages are issued in an attempt to punish the guilty party via financial fees. Courtrooms will usually only award punitive damages when one party acted with extreme carelessness, total disregard for human life, or otherwise egregious negligence.

If you think the other party was overly reckless or egregiously negligent in your accident, then you’ll want to hire the best injury lawyer in Las Vegas to see if pursuing punitive damages is wise in your situation.

Types of Damages in Personal Injury Lawsuits

In general, there are two forms of damages that you can receive in a successful personal injury lawsuit: compensatory and punitive. The entire purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to restore the injured person to the financial state they were in before the accident.

You only have one opportunity to list out, value, and prove the losses you’ve endured due to your accident. To ensure you don’t undervalue your claim, it makes sense to consult with the best injury lawyer in Las Vegas to understand better how much you’ve lost and what your claim is worth.

Are you ready to consult with a personal injury law firm in Las Vegas? Schedule a consultation with our best attorneys at The Schnitzer Law Firm to learn more about your legal options.

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