The costs associated with recovering from serious injuries—and living with any lasting effects that they cause—add up quickly. Fortunately, those who have sustained an injury due to someone else can receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. By filing personal injury claims, injured individuals can seek justice against the entities who are responsible for the incident.

Since it is easy to overlook certain damages when calculating a fair settlement, it is wise to seek legal counsel long before the negotiations begin. To protect your financial security, a knowledgeable attorney will ensure you include all potential economic and non-economic damages in the calculations, including those that you have not yet incurred, like future medical expenses.

What Kinds of Damages Are Recoverable in Personal Injury Cases?

Economic Damages

Economic damages, or special damages, are those that have an actual dollar value. These include both the direct expenses associated with treating the injuries and the indirect or incurred expenses of living with them. For example, direct expenses might be ambulance fees, home care, and rehabilitation, while indirect expenses would be lost income and loss of earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, which are often called general damages, are losses that do not necessarily have an exact dollar value. Every personal injury claim is likely to include at least some general damages in the final settlement. When calculating a fair amount for non-economic damages, accident victims can take into account pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of society and companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Both economic and non-economic damages are considered compensatory, which means they aim to recoup the accident victim for any damages incurred as the result of the incident. Some states also allow injured parties to seek punitive damages.

If you were hurt in an accident that was the direct result of someone else’s negligence, turn to Patton & Hyder PLLC in Crossville, TN, to determine if you have grounds for a claim. A compassionate personal injury attorney on their team can gather medical records, interview witnesses, and negotiate with the liable party’s legal team on your behalf so you can focus on your health. Check out their website to learn more about the firm’s foundation in wrongful death and personal injury law, or call (931) 787-1333 to schedule an initial consultation today.