Lawsuit Damages
Because life isn’t perfect, you know that you’ll have an accident here and there and may suffer some injuries from time to time. However, if you get hurt because of negligence or reckless behavior of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. In personal injury lawsuits, recovering money from these situations is known as “damages.” There are several types of damages you may consider. Always speak to an injury attorney before pursuing a suit against another party.
Payment for Medical Bills
Even with minor accidents and injuries, medical bills can add up. If you seek damages following a car or bike accident, or an injury at work or any other event, you may first look for help to pay for hospital and doctor’s office costs. These damages may include compensation for anything you have paid for or will need to pay for, such as medicine, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, office visits, hospital stays, and therapy. The payment may also cover medical equipment and expenses to travel to and from the medical facilities.
Compensation for Lost Wages
If your injuries are severe enough that you can’t work for a long period, it may be difficult for you to keep up financially. Workers’ Compensation will only help if you were injured on the job. For other incidents, you can seek damages for paychecks you missed because of your treatment, recovery, and effects of the injury. In addition, you may be compensated for future wages you will lose.
Payment for Property Loss
A car accident may not only hurt you, but it may also severely damage your vehicle. A personal injury suit can also include a request for payment to repair the car or replace it if necessary. The same is true if the injury damages any other property or possessions.
Loss of Enjoyment
Another possible damage you can seek is compensation for having to miss out on activities you love. If your injuries make it impossible for you to continue hobbies such as playing sports, riding your bike, playing an instrument, or painting, you may be able to receive payment. These damages may also include payment for having to cancel a trip.
Pain and Suffering
The emotional and mental pain you endure because of the injury can take their toll. Though it is more difficult to define a monetary value on these damages, they can still be part of your lawsuit.
Consult with a personal injury lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer in St. Paul, MN, to help you decide which damages to recover. You should not have to stress out over financial matters while you are recovering from your injury.
Thanks to Johnston & Martineau, PLLP for their insight into the different kinds of damages that you can file for a lawsuit.