When you’ve been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to pay your mounting medical bills and make up for lost wages. Fortunately, if you hire a personal injury lawyer and file a successful lawsuit, you may be able to recover damages that will help offset some of these costs. Here, we’ll discuss how to maximize your non-economic damages award in a personal injury case.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are awards that are meant to compensate victims for intangible harms suffered as a result of an accident. These can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. Unlike economic damages—which are designed to reimburse victims for quantifiable losses like medical bills and lost wages—non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate. Because of this, they can often make up a larger portion of any personal injury settlement or jury award. Working with a local law office will help you to maximize these benefits. An attorney has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and knows how to effectively work the system.
How Are Non-Economic Damages Calculated?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of non-economic damages awarded in each case will depend on a number of factors unique to the victim’s individual situation. However, there are a few key things that judges and jurors will typically consider when determining the amount of non-economic damages to award:
Severity of Injuries
Of course, the more severe the victim’s injuries are, the higher their non-economic damages award is likely to be. This is because serious injuries tend to have a greater impact on victims’ lives, causing them more pain and suffering and limiting their ability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
Length of Recovery
In general, the longer it takes a victim to recover from their injuries, the higher their non-economic damages award will be. This is because victims who require lengthy recoveries often miss out on months (or even years) worth of work, social activities, and other opportunities that they would have enjoyed if not for their accident.
Permanent Effects
If the victim’s injuries are permanent or have long-lasting effects (such as disfigurement or chronic pain), this will also likely increase the size of their non-economic damages award. This is because permanent injuries often prevent victims from returning to work or enjoying activities that they once took part in on a regular basis, resulting in a substantial loss of quality of life.
Conclusion
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s important to understand what types of compensation may be available to you through a personal injury lawsuit. In addition to economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, you may also be able to recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other intangible harms. The amount of non-economic damages awarded in your case will depend on factors like the severity and permanence of your injuries as well as how long it takes you to recover from them. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you maximize your damage award and get the compensation you deserve.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
