If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be burdened with expensive medical bills, lost income from missing work, and require long-term care you cannot afford. Fortunately, when injured by another party, you can file an injury claim to seek monetary compensation for your damages. Please continue reading to learn what damages you can pursue in a personal injury lawsuit and discover how a competent New York City Personal Injury Lawyer can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
What kind of compensation can I recover for my injuries in a personal injury lawsuit?
If you file a lawsuit against a negligent party, you can seek various forms of compensation for the injuries and damages you have incurred as a direct result of their negligence. Generally, you will be able to seek compensatory and punitive damages. These include the following:
- Economic (special damages): Economic damages can be considered as any out-of-pocket financial losses an injured party incurred due to their injuries. They represent calculable, tangible losses such as an injured party’s medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation services, and other quantifiable losses.
- Non-economic (general damages): Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are not tangible losses as they are subjective damages. They do not represent quantifiable losses. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and other non-calculable losses. These damages are calculated based on the severity and extent to which the injuries have impacted a victim.
- Punitive damages: These damages are only awarded if a victim can provide evidence that shows the negligent party engaged in willful and wanton misconduct, which resulted in your injuries. However, these damages are only ordered when a victim can demonstrate that the negligent part showed a severe lack of concern for the safety and well-being of others.
How do I collect damages?
Firstly, to collect compensation for your injuries, you must prove the severity and extent of your injuries. For special damages, you can provide copies of your medical bills, pay stubs, and any other bills related to your injuries. General damages are more challenging to prove. For general damages, you can provide the court with expert testimony and medical records. Having family and friends testify about how your injuries have affected your quality of life is also helpful. However, the best way to maximize your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages is by retaining the legal services of an experienced lawyer who can help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact a New York City personal injury from James Newman, P.C., who can help you seek the rightful compensation to which you are entitled.
