Sustaining unanticipated injuries can be costly. Even if you have adequate health insurance, serious injuries that keep you out of work will eventually threaten your financial security. Fortunately, accident victims who were hurt because of someone else’s negligence can pursue compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim. If you’re thinking about building a claim, here are the kinds of damages you can include in the settlement negotiations.

A Compensation Guide to Personal Injury Claims

1. Economic Losses

Economic damages are those that have a corresponding dollar amount. Examples include hospital bills, home care expenses, and income lost while recovering. When the injuries are so severe that the victim cannot return to work at all, loss of earning capacity and lost benefits can also be included in the final settlement under this category.  

2. Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic damages are much harder to quantify, but they can be just as impactful—if not more so—as economic losses. Such damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. A seasoned attorney can help you arrive at a fair figure for these losses based on the circumstances of the case. 

3. Punitive Damages

Unlike the kinds of damages mentioned above, which actually compensate claimants, punitive damages aim to punish defendants. Most personal injury claims do not involve punitive awards. Typically, they only apply when the opposing party’s actions were especially negligent, fraudulent, or malicious. One of the most common scenarios that warrants such damages are drunk driving accidents. 

If you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, turn to Williams and Associates in Decatur, GA. Founded in 1990, this family-owned law office is proud to help accident victims put their lives back together. Their personal injury lawyers know what it takes to prove liability and negotiate with insurance adjusters and they are not afraid to take a case to trial if it means achieving justice. To arrange an initial consultation with an attorney on their team, visit their website or call (678) 695-3133.