If you were injured in a severe accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. The amount of damages you can receive depends on many factors, and your injury attorney can help you determine how much money you deserve.
Damages
Damages are the compensation you may be owed for injuries you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence. It can include medical bills, loss of income, and any other costs related to your injury.
Your personal injury lawyer can help you with these claims. They will be able to explain all of the damages you are entitled to and advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive a reasonable settlement.
There are two types of damages you can seek: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are intended to pay you for your injury’s immediate costs, such as medical bills and lost earnings.
Medical bills
Medical bills are one of the most significant claims that personal injury lawyers handle. However, they can be complex, and your attorney may need to work with a billing advocate to negotiate on your behalf.
People can have medical bill problems for various reasons, from a single health event to ongoing chronic conditions requiring expensive treatments or medications. Even though most of those who report problems with their medical bills have insurance, some still struggle to pay them.
Pain and suffering
In addition to damages based on your physical injuries, you may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. Again, your personal injury lawyer can help you determine how much this damage is worth in your case and help you receive it.
Your injuries can have a lasting impact on your life and how you live it. It includes pain, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, and other effects that may affect your ability to work or enjoy normal activities.
Insurance companies typically value pain and suffering using a multiplier. For example, they multiply your medical bills and lost wages by a number that varies from one to five (depending on the severity of your injuries).
Future medical expenses
You will likely need ongoing treatment if your injuries are severe or sustained long-term damage. Your personal injury lawyer can help you claim future medical expenses and current and past medical bills.
In addition, they can provide a life care plan with medical experts that shows how much money you may need throughout your life to continue treating your injuries.
Sometimes, you can add a portion of your future medical expenses to the damages you recover in a settlement or trial to compensate for what you lost. In other cases, the settlement you receive may be a lump sum that covers your medical expenses for as long as they last.
Loss of companionship
Loss of companionship damages is a particular type of compensation you may receive in a personal injury case. It is often awarded to a spouse or close family member when a loved one dies or suffers a severe accident.
Your attorney can help you understand what damages you might recover for loss of companionship and how to get the compensation you deserve.
These damages are considered noneconomic because it is difficult to put a dollar value on what you lost in your relationship with your loved one. In addition, some states typically capped these damages to limit their amount.
