An essential factor for getting maximum compensation for your personal injury case is understanding the types of damage. Georgia laws ensure personal injury victims can recover from their loss and be fairly compensated. Accordingly, personal injury damages can include financial and emotional losses.
General, Special, and Punitive Damages
There are three types of personal injury damages: general, unique, and punitive. Although general and special damages are compensatory damages, they aim to restore compensation to victims for their losses.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Damages are either “non-economic” or “economic.” Economic damages refer to the financial losses racked up by the accident victim. These include out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident.
Medical bills and expense reimbursement are economic damages in a case. Consequently, documentation is essential to ensure the victim receives full reimbursement for all medical costs.
Personal Injury Accident
If a personal injury accident leaves you with accident injuries that prohibit you from working, you are entitled to reimbursement for your lost income. These losses include wages, salaries, and self-employment earnings.
Examples of other out-of-pocket expenses or financial losses in a claim:
- Personal care costs, like help with bathing, household chores, cooking, etc.
- In-home health care costs
- Travel expenses to and from doctor visits
- Special medical equipment, etc.
Non-economic damages include the pain and suffering an accident victim experiences because of the accident.
Furthermore, non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering damages, such as physical pain and discomfort, or emotional distress and mental anguish (psychological problems)
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life
The third type of damage is punitive damages. Generally, punitive damages are less common than the others. Additionally, punitive damages are not compensatory. Punitive damages punish the defendant for recklessly inflicting harm on the victim.
