Personal Injury Lawyer
In personal injury lawsuits, parties found legally responsible must pay damages to plaintiffs they have harmed. These monetary awards are based in part on the losses suffered by the plaintiff and are intended to compensate for the consequences of the injury. As a personal injury lawyer can explain, if you’ve been harmed in an accident or incident of negligence, you should be aware of the different types of expenses that plaintiffs can claim for compensatory damages in a lawsuit.
Medical Expenses
Medical treatment is often costly, and if you were injured in an accident, the person responsible for that accident is obliged to cover your medical bills. Track any health care costs associated with your case, including:
- Ambulance fees
- Laboratory testing
- Surgery
- Emergency medical care
- Prescription fees
- Pain management treatment
- Physical and occupational therapy
In addition to damages for past and current medical bills, plaintiffs in personal injury suits may also be awarded compensation for any future medical expenses related to the initial injury.
Property Damage
If your personal property was damaged due to an accident, you might be entitled to reimbursement for any repairs. Furthermore, compensation for the value of the property may be awarded if it was destroyed. For example, in a car accident, the party at fault is responsible for covering the repair costs of any vehicular damage they caused. Therefore, plaintiffs in auto accident cases should keep track of bills from the mechanic or auto shop. You can receive damages for other types of personal property as well, including accessories, electronics, and clothing.
Loss of Income
You might be able to claim lost salary or wages if your injury interfered with your ability to earn a living. For example, if you had to miss work due to pain or loss of function, you could claim any income you could not earn during that time as a loss. Psychological harm that impairs your ability to work can be factored into lost income, too. You can also seek compensation for future income that your injury will prevent you from acquiring. In trials, these losses may be classified as a loss of earning capacity. In these cases, a medical expert is often called upon to testify regarding the injured party’s ability to return to work.
When an accident happens, the responsible party should compensate those harmed for the various types of loss they incur. If you’ve been injured in an accident, make sure to track your expenses and contact a personal injury lawyer for a consultation.