Damages are the monetary sum awarded to individuals whose injuries are due to someone else’s negligence. If you are the victim of an accident, you may collect damages to cover the following:
- Medical expenses
- Living expense
- Child care
- Property damage
Common types of damages that accident victims may receive include:
Loss of Current and Future Earnings
Severe injuries from accidents, including car collisions, falls or negligence, could leave someone incapacitated and unable to continue working. In such cases, an attorney may pursue compensation or damages to cover a client’s salary during the recovery period. When accidents victims can not resume working, they may receive damages for future earnings they would have received if the accident did not happen.
Reimbursement of Medical Expenses
Medical expenses after an accident can include doctor and hospital visits, surgery, medications and long-term therapy. Whether or not an individual has medical insurance, the cost can be substantial, and an attorney may seek damages to cover the medical expenses of injured clients.
Pain and Suffering
Some injuries can permanently alter a person’s lifestyle or negatively impact emotional well-being. For example, after an accident, a person may always limp or suffer crippling depression. Fortunately, the court and insurance providers recognize these negative consequences of injuries, allowing victims to receive compensatory damages. The specific amount is either calculated based upon a formula devised by the insurance company or a jury’s decision at trial.
Punitive and Deterrent
Sometimes damages are awarded to punish negligent parties and dissuade them from future negligence. Punitive damages are an additional layer of payments awarded to individuals when a jury determines that someone caused an injury with full knowledge of the risks to another’s safety. Punitive damages always accompany other damages. It is possible to receive punitive damages for an amount up to four times an award for compensatory damages.
Wrongful Death
Damages tend to increase with the severity of an injury, and families with valid wrongful death cases may receive multiple damages for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical and burial expenses
- Lost and future wages
- Minor child support
When negligent behavior causes someone’s death, punitive damages can be high. Examples of this include auto manufacturers that fail to test for defective parts that cause multiple fatal crashes, or a landlord who neglects repairs that lead to a tenant’s death. Contact Best Mesothelioma Lawyer Waco Texas to determine if you are eligible for damages if someone’s negligent behavior causes your injury.