A personal injury claim provides an opportunity for the victim of another’s negligence to be compensated for their losses. This compensation is often referred to as damages. This term refers to economic and non-economic compensation from the at-fault party and is awarded to the victim for the harm that the victim suffered as a result.

Most personal injury cases will seek both economic and non-economic damages for the various types of harm the victim has suffered. Economic damages, as explained below, are often easy to determine as they are tangible, actual expenses caused by the event.

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages are determined by actual financial losses. If a victim has missed work or has medical bills as a result of the accident that caused the injury, reimbursement or payment for these bills is covered by economic damages. Examples of economic damages include:

  • Damage to a vehicle, property or other asset
  • Costs of replacing a totaled vehicle
  • Medical bills
  • Lost income

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Non-economic damages refer to pain and suffering caused to the victim by the at-fault party. Non-economic damages don’t have an actual dollar figure attached to them from bills or pay stubs. Examples of harm that can be covered by non-economic damages include:

  • Physical impairment – vision, hearing or mobility issues, chronic pain, etc. that did not exist prior
  • Mental anguish – phobias, PTSD, disrupted relationships, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, etc.
  • Disability or disfigurement – scars, loss of limb, loss of mobility, etc.
  • Loss of companionship/consortium – this non-economic damage claim is for the spouse or family member of a person who has been injured or killed as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence.

Recovering for non-economic damages and determining the amount of compensation as a result of these damages can be based on a number of different factors.

How A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Knowing how to calculate economic damages and determining what the non-economic damages are in a personal injury case can be complex. If you do not know the law, and do not know what can be qualified as one or the other, it could cost you thousands, or more. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to support your injury claim is the only way to ensure you are compensated justly for your pain and suffering.

The Pisanchyn Law Firm has recovered millions in economic and non-economic damages for its injury clients and can help you, too. Call 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation now.