Personal injury cases arise when a person is injured or harmed due to someone else's negligence, intentional wrongdoing, or strict liability. The injured person may be entitled to recover damages from the responsible party. Damages refer to the compensation that is awarded to the plaintiff to compensate them for the losses they suffered due to the injury. The types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case can be categorized into two types: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are also known as special damages, and they refer to the actual financial losses that the plaintiff incurred due to the injury. These damages are quantifiable and easily measurable. The economic damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case include:
a. Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any other related expenses.
b. Lost Wages: If the plaintiff was unable to work due to the injury, they may be entitled to recover the income they lost during that period.
c. Future Earnings: If the plaintiff's injury is permanent, they may be entitled to recover the loss of earning capacity.
d. Property Damage: If the injury caused damage to the plaintiff's property, they may be entitled to recover the cost of repair or replacement.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are also known as general damages, and they refer to the intangible losses that the plaintiff suffered due to the injury. These damages are not easily measurable, and their value is determined by the court or the jury. The non-economic damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case include:
a. Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress that the plaintiff suffered due to the injury.
b. Emotional Distress: This includes the psychological impact that the injury had on the plaintiff, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
c. Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury caused the plaintiff to lose the ability to enjoy their life as they did before the injury, they may be entitled to recover compensation for this loss.
d. Loss of Consortium: If the injury caused the plaintiff to lose the companionship, support, or intimacy of their spouse, they may be entitled to recover compensation for this loss.
At I Am Calling My Lawyer, the Chicago personal injury attorneys fight aggressively to get justice and the maximum financial compensation for clients. They know how to get successful results. If you or your loved one suffered a serious injury, you need a strong legal advocate on your side.
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