When injured in an accident, it is essential to understand the damages that may be claimed to seek full compensation. Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, different types of damages may be available. Reports from the National Center for Health Statistics prove that about nine million American citizens claim personal injury compensation in the courts of law each year. In a vibrant city like Las Vegas, people often let their hair down (well, the place is not called Sin City without reasons!), and in many cases, accidents occur. In 2021 alone, there were over twenty thousand car accidents in which about thousands were injured, and nearly 300 people succumbed to death. Were any of the victims eligible for personal injury compensation? Well, often, laypersons get confused about the various nitty-gritty of statutes. This is when they should seek help.
The best Las Vegas personal injury law firm possesses in-depth knowledge of the law and understands the various types of damages you can claim. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost wages, pain, or suffering, a skilled attorney can assess your case and determine the maximum compensation you are entitled to. With their expertise, you can navigate the legal complexities and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
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What Are Compensatory Damages?
Compensatory damages are designed to compensate injured people for losses due to an accident or incident. This includes economic losses, such as medical bills or lost wages from being unable to work, and non-economic losses, like pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by the incident. Compensatory damages are divided into two categories: general and special compensatory damages.
General Compensatory Damages
General compensatory damages are intended to reimburse an individual for all economic losses suffered as a result of their injury. This includes reimbursement for medical expenses incurred due to treatment related to their injury, lost wages from not being able to work due to recovery time or disability resulting from the incident, property damage sustained during the accident, and other costs associated with the injury itself. These damages are typically awarded based on the actual financial loss suffered by the plaintiff rather than subjective factors like pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Special Compensatory Damages
Special compensatory damages are intended to compensate individuals for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering experienced after an accident or incident that led directly to their injuries. These awards may also pay for mental anguish. This is when someone is scared of harm in the future. This fear must make sense based on past events. There may also be a loss of consortium. This is when spouses can’t be together like before. Punitive damages are also included. They are used to punish the person who did wrong. Lawyer’s fees are also covered. These are needed to take legal action. Court costs are also paid. These are the expenses during a court case. There can also be interest. This is the extra money that grows during a trial, and so on. Special compensatory damage amounts vary greatly depending on factors like type/severity of injuries sustained in addition to the amount/type/duration of treatment needed after that.
What Are Nominal Damages?
Nominal damages are usually awarded when no actual monetary losses were suffered, but some form of harm was still done (e.g., slander). In these cases, nominal awards act more symbolically than anything else since they don’t actually provide much financial relief but do acknowledge that something wrong did occur even though its exact dollar value cannot be determined. You may use this recognition of damage while recovering compensation via traditional methods (e.g., suing someone).
What Are Exemplary/Punitive Damages?
Exemplary damages, also known as punitive damages, have two primary purposes:
1) punishing wrongdoers who intentionally caused harm by acting recklessly or maliciously towards others while providing monetary relief to victims;
2) deterring similar behavior in the future by setting a precedent through the awarded amounts, making people aware of the potential consequences they may face. The amount of punitive damages can vary greatly depending on jurisdiction and state laws, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions in severe cases.
Conclusion
Understanding the types of damages that can be claimed after a personal injury is crucial when seeking compensation. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, or other related losses, a reputed law firm can guide you through the process. With their expertise, they can assess your case, determine the appropriate damages to claim and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Hiring a reputed law firm ensures that your rights are protected and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome in your personal injury claim.
