In addition to putting your body and mind under stress, being injured by a negligent party can result in major financial losses. Although you can sue the responsible party for damages, the compensation awarded by the court can vary considerably depending on the circumstances of the case. As such, attorneys must detail damages closely to demonstrate just how much financial harm was caused to their client. If you’re preparing to pursue a personal injury case, here are a few common categories you’ll need to review with your lawyer.

5 Common Types of Damages Awarded in Personal Injury Cases

1. Medical Bills

Any medical costs that you incurred as a result of the accident can be included as part of your awarded compensation. These expenses may be related to lab work, office visits, exams, medications, disability aids, surgeries, and rehabilitation. To ensure this financial impact is represented accurately, save and organize all billing documents related to your post-accident care.

2. Lost Income

When a personal injury impacts your ability to return to work—even temporarily—you can cite lost income as part of your damages. In most cases, this calculation may be as simple as showing how much of your earnings were lost during your recovery. 

3. Pain & Suffering

Pain and suffering constitute the physical and mental anguish that resulted from an injury. For example, you may qualify for this type of damage if you endured chronic backaches after a slip-and-fall accident or if you experienced depression during your recovery. While these damages can be tough to calculate, attorneys and insurance companies will either rely on established formulas or previous jury decisions to determine the total financial loss related to pain and suffering.

4. Loss of Use

If a personal injury disables you, you can represent the financial harm with loss-of-use damages. This instance may come into play if you lost your vision, had a limb amputated, or suffered an injury that restricts you from activities you previously enjoyed—such as dancing, hiking, or gardening.

5. Loss of Consortium

An injury can affect your family too. For instance, a temporary disability may have impeded your ability to parent as you normally would. It may have put tension on your marital relationship. If you’ve experienced any interpersonal repercussions like this, you may qualify for loss-of-consortium damages.

Seeking compensation for damages is not something you have to do all on your own. Work with the trusted attorneys at Ibold & O’Brien. Having represented clients in northeast Ohio for four decades, this experienced firm will review your case in depth to help you prove another party’s negligence and seek all damages you may qualify for. To learn more about their personal injury services and other practice areas—including estate planning, divorce, and criminal defense—visit these attorneys online. To discuss your case with a compassionate lawyer, call the Chardon office at (440) 285-3511 to set up a convenient consultation.