The value of a personal injury claim varies widely from one case to the next and depends on the severity of the injuries. A minor personal injury might result in only hundreds of dollars in damages while a serious injury could lead to damages in the millions. Some examples of accidents for which you might need the assistance of an experienced Frederick personal injury attorney are:
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, you’re entitled to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party for damages. The amount of compensation you receive depends on the type and severity of your personal injury. But those aren't the only factors that can determine the financial outcome, as an inexperienced Frederick, MD, lawyer will not produce the same outcome as an experienced Frederick personal injury attorney.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are established to compensate the victim for all expenses incurred due to the accident. It provides financial reimbursement for all monetary losses. They are generally divided into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
According to our Frederick personal injury attorney, because economic damages can be determined monetarily, you can figure out the amount you’ve paid by adding up your receipts and bills. Economic damages include:
- Property damage. If your vehicle or other personal property is damaged or destroyed in an accident caused by someone else, you’re entitled to the cost of repairing or replacing your property. If you use a rental car to travel to work and medical appointments while your car is being repaired, you’re entitled to reimbursement for the rental fee.
- Medical expenses. You’re entitled to reimbursement of all past, current, and future medical bills resulting from your personal injury claim. These include:
- ER visit
- Hospital stays
- X-rays
- Surgery
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Referrals to specialists
- Home modifications/cost of adaptive equipment (wheelchair, crutches, walker, etc.)
- Cost of a home-care nurse or assistance with daily activities
- Temporary or permanent disability care
- Lost wages. If you cannot work while recovering from your injuries, you’re entitled to compensation for your lost wages.
- Future earning capacity. If your injuries impact your ability to work and earn money in the future, you’re entitled to future wages you would have earned had you not been injured. An experienced lawyer can help to calculate your future lost earnings and can bring in an economic specialist or expert witnesses to determine this aspect of your damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not financial losses, but they are real damages for which you’re entitled to financial compensation. These can include:
- Pain and suffering. If you suffer physical pain and/or mental distress as a result of your injury, you’re entitled to compensation. Your physical pain might be mild and temporary or severe for the long term, perhaps indefinitely. Injuries to the brain, spine, and nervous system can result in lifelong:
- Soreness/stiffness
- Decreased mobility/range of motion
- Numbness in hands, feet, or legs
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Blurred vision
- Vertigo
- Permanent scars or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life/consortium. If your personal injury leaves you unable to interact normally with your spouse and/or family, you’re entitled to compensation for the loss of normal pleasures your injury has cost you. An experienced Frederick personal injury attorney knows how to quantify your non-economic compensatory damages.
