A Guide to Personal Injury Settlement Values: What’s Your Claim Worth?

Sustaining a personal injury can disrupt your life in ways that are not just physical but also financial and emotional. One of the most important aspects of recovering from an accident is securing a fair and just settlement for the damages you have incurred. Although the notion of what’s ‘fair’ can be subjective, the legal system provides structured guidelines for valuing personal injury claims, which can help in understanding what injured individuals can reasonably expect as compensation.

Navigating the labyrinth of personal injury claims and the multitude of factors affecting settlement values can seem daunting. This guide breaks down the intricate process of calculating personal injury settlements, aimed at empowering victims to understand their rights and work towards the compensation they deserve.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Personal Injury Settlement Lawyers in Indianapolis
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Personal Injury Settlement Lawyers in Indianapolis

Why Understanding Personal Injury Settlement Values Matters

Before diving into the specifics of calculation, it’s essential to grasp the significance of settlement values. Many personal injury victims accept the first or second settlement offer presented to them by insurance companies without realizing the true worth of their claim.

Understanding the calculation breakdown helps in:

1) Ensuring fair compensation for all tangible and intangible losses
2) Empowering victims and their attorneys to negotiate from an informed position
3) Gaining the financial means to cope with present/future challenges resulting from the injury

By gauging settlement values accurately, claimants can transition from being mere accident statistics to individuals advocating for their own justice.

Factors Affecting Personal Injury Compensation

Personal injury settlement values are not essentially arbitrary; they’re grounded in measurable and subjective factors. The primary elements influencing these values include:

Severity of Injuries – The extent of physical harm directly correlates with the settlement value. More severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and have a lasting impact on an individual’s life warrant higher compensation.

Medical Expenses – Calculating medical costs incurred due to the injury is relatively straightforward. It includes past, current, and estimated future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the accident.

Lost Wages – Monetary losses from missed work also play a vital role in settlement calculations. This includes lost wages from time off work for recovery and any decrease in future earning capacity due to the injury.

Pain and Suffering – This is a factor that varies greatly from case to case, as it encompasses the physical discomfort and pain, emotional trauma, and mental distress caused by the injury and its aftermath.

Future Medical Needs – Some injuries require ongoing care or may necessitate adjustments in lifestyle, leading to substantial future medical costs, which should be accounted for in a settlement.

Comparative Negligence – If the injured party is found partially at fault for the accident, their settlement may be reduced proportionally. Understanding contributory negligence and comparative fault laws is crucial in assessing potential impact on the settlement value.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the measurable financial losses incurred as a direct result of the injury and cover areas like:

Medical Expenses – The cost of treatment can be determined by adding up all related medical bills including hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment.

Lost Wages – Documenting the wages lost due to the inability to work provides a clear number to calculate this portion of economic damages.

Property Damage – In cases involving vehicle accidents or property-related injuries, the cost to repair or replace damaged property is an additional economic damage that contributes to the overall settlement value.

Through meticulous assessment and documentation of these economic damages, a more comprehensive understanding of the financial burden endured by the victim is revealed.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are more subjective and can be challenging to quantify. This category includes pain-and-suffering, such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

Pain and Suffering – Although intangible, pain and suffering are an important component in valuing personal injury claims. Multiplying the tangible costs by a “pain multiplier” is a commonly used method though not the only one.

Emotional Distress – This covers side effects such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These effects may often require testimony from mental health professionals to be taken into account.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Injuries can rob individuals of the ability to partake in activities they once enjoyed. Factoring this into the calculation acknowledges the intangible losses suffered.

Accounting for these non-economic damages is often more nuanced and requires a balanced approach that accounts for the victim’s unique circumstances.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the direct calculation of damages, several other considerations can significantly impact the ultimate settlement value, such as statute of limitations, insurance coverage caps, and even negotiation tactics.

Statute of Limitations – Each state has its own statute of limitations— the time within which a lawsuit must be filed. Missing this deadline can bar a claimant from any recovery, no matter how severe the injury.

Insurance Coverage Limits – Understanding the insurance policies involved and their coverage limits is vital as it can cap the maximum settlement, even if the calculated value is higher.

Negotiation Strategies – A nuanced approach to negotiation, involving the help of a skilled personal injury attorney, can often lead to higher settlements by leveraging strong arguments and evidence.

A broad understanding of these considerations ensures that personal injury victims approach the settlement process with a strategic mindset, enhancing their outcomes.

Seeking Legal Advice

Navigating the complex world of personal injury settlements can be challenging, especially for those unaccustomed to the legal intricacies involved. Seeking the counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best course of action. These professionals specialize in valuing claims and negotiating with insurance companies to obtain the best possible outcome for their clients. By equipping themselves with knowledge and legal representation, claimants can confidently pursue the compensation they deserve. This aids in their path to recovery and offers some sense of closure after experiencing the trauma of an injury.

Conclusion

The road to a personal injury settlement is rarely straightforward. From determining the severity of injuries to understanding the complexities of non-economic damages, the process is rife with nuances that can dramatically impact the final compensation amount. By delving into this guide, victims can better equip themselves with the understanding necessary to advocate their case effectively and ensure that the settlement they receive does justice to the physical, emotional, and financial hardships they’ve endured. Remember, the more informed you are, the stronger position you will hold in the quest for fair recompense for your injury.

Are you ready to pursue the personal injury settlement you and your loved ones deserve? Contact the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 today. Our Indianapolis civil litigators provide free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. We represent victims all throughout the state, plus Indiana residents injured in other states.

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Navigating Economic and Non-Economic Damages in Personal Injury Claims

When it comes to personal injury claims, one of the most crucial aspects that victims need to understand is the differentiation between economic and non-economic damages. Both types of personal injury damages are recoverable and play a significant role in the compensation you may receive. However, they cover distinct aspects of your injury and losses. This blog aims to guide you through the intricacies of economic and non-economic damages in the realm of personal injury claims, helping you gain a clearer understanding of what each type encompasses and how they could affect your claim.

Call 317-881-2700 to Obtain a Personal Injury Settlement in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-881-2700 to Obtain a Personal Injury Settlement in Indianapolis Indiana

Personal Injury Claim Damages

What are Economic Damages?

Economic damages (also known as compensatory or special damages) refer to the monetary losses you have suffered due to your injury or illness. These types of damages take into account tangible costs such as medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and even future income loss in cases where the victim has become permanently disabled and unable to continue their career. In essence, economic damages are designed to restore you financially to the same position you would have been in had your injury or illness not occurred.

What are Non-Economic Damages?

Non-economic damages (also known as non-compensatory or general damages) refer to the intangible losses that you have experienced due to your injury or illness, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and decreased quality of life. It can be difficult to calculate the exact compensation needed for these losses as they are more subjective in nature; however, non-economic damages are designed to provide you with a sense of justice and recognition for your pain and suffering.

How Do Economic and Non-Economic Damages Relate to Personal Injury Claims?

In personal injury cases, economic and non-economic damages are important in determining the value of a claim. Indeed, non-economic damages are even more important. While economic damages provide victims with financial compensation for their losses, non-economic damages serve to recognize the pain and suffering they have endured as a result of their injury or illness.

Additional Types of Damages in a Personal Injury Case

In addition to general and special damages, there are other types of damages that may be awarded in a personal injury claim. These include punitive damages that are meant to punish the at-fault party for their reckless behavior. It is important to note that this type of damages are more difficult to obtain and may require a higher burden of proof than economic or non-economic damages.

Should Personal Injury Claimants Know These Terms?

The key to navigating damages in personal injury claims is understanding the differences between them, as well as the impact they could have on your claim. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you will be better prepared to evaluate your case and seek the compensation you deserve for your losses. Even if you feel confident about understanding the distinctions between such damages, it is still highly recommended that you seek legal advice from a qualified personal injury litigator. An experienced lawyer can provide invaluable guidance on how best to proceed with your claim and maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, economic and non-economic damages are two distinct components of personal injury claims that must be considered when calculating compensation. Victims need to understand the differences between these two types of damages and how they could affect their claims. Additionally, seeking legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney is highly recommended for anyone who is considering filing a personal injury claim. Doing so can ensure that your rights are fully protected and that you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Are you ready to take the next step toward collecting compensation for your personal injury damages and losses? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis. We represent victims all throughout the state of Indiana, including Indiana residents injured in other states and residents of other states injured in Indiana.

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The Difference Between Special and General Damages in an Accident Settlement

When it comes to personal injury settlements, there are two primary categories of financial payment (damages) awarded to victims or survivors of victims: general damages and special damages. Such damages are awarded based on the specific losses incurred by the claimant or claimants.

Continue below for a brief description of general and special damages, including how they compare to one another and where you can find more information pertaining to your recent, wrongful accident in Indiana.

Accident Law Firm Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Accident Law Firm Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

The Purpose of Personal Injury Damages

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of negligence, which a is a failure to use reasonable care, a judge or jury may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Such damages can range from lost paychecks and medical bills to pain, suffering, and more. To measure the value of damages, a court must consider the losses and injuries of an accident victim’s body, mind, property, and overall quality of life. Personal injury settlements are designed to help accident victims or surviving family get back to the same state of life they were in before the accident and to fairly compensate the victim for what they experienced and will experience in the future.

Although there are several types of personal injury damages that may be awarded in a settlement, the two main categories are general damages and special damages.

Special Damages

Also referred to as compensatory or economic damages, special damages are the calculable to a large extent, losses suffered by a personal injury victim. They include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missing work, mileage to and from doctor’s appointments, property damages (in some cases), and similar precise values that can be added up with a calculator.

General Damages

General damages are also referred to as non-economic damages. These are damages that cannot be measured by a calculator, such as pain, suffering, metal anguish, PTSD, prolonged physical therapy or medical treatment, permanent disfigurement or scarring, and other conditions that cause a personal injury victim to lose overall enjoyment of life.

It is common for a personal injury victim to be entitled to both kinds of damages. Additional categories of damages that may be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit include punitive damages and future damages.

How to Determine Your Damages and Losses After an Accident

If you are wondering which damages you or your family are entitled to after being seriously injured in a wrongful accident, it is necessary to consult with an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer. Accident attorneys can provide a free case evaluation that will allow you to discuss your questions and concerns with a licensed professional.

There are many ways a personal injury lawyer can prove your damages.  You should save all medical bills, receipts, and any other type of documentation that shows the effects of your injuries. You should also save records showing when you missed work.  You attorney will also help in obtaining the information for your claim.

Not sure which personal injury attorney in Indiana to choose for help you with your case? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust to recover the settlement or verdict you deserve. We represent victims all throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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The Link Between Gross Negligence and Punitive Damages

Punitive damages in a personal injury case are fairly uncommon since they are generally awarded in trials involving egregious or reprehensible behavior. In fact, such damages are awarded solely for the purpose of punishing the defendant responsible for the accident and to deter other persons from performing similar acts. Under the realm of punitive damages, you may come across the term gross negligence, which is an element to proving punitive damages.

Continue reading to learn more about gross negligence and punitive damages in a personal injury case, including how to get more information regarding your eligibility for pursuing legal action against an outrageously negligent person who caused you or your loved one harm in an accident.

Negligence Lawyers Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700
Negligence Lawyers Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700

General Damages in a Personal Injury Case

A wrongfully injured victim can recover qualifying general damages, also called compensatory damages, in a personal injury case. Such damages include calculable expenses such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages for missing work, and even the cost of fuel driving to and from doctors’ appointments or treatments. They may also recover non-economic damages for mental anguish, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and similar non-expenditure consequences of being wrongfully injured in an accident.

Punitive Damages

When a defendant in a personal injury case has done something particularly egregious, the victim of the accident may be awarded punitive damages. Although the injured victim benefits from the compensation, punitive damages are awarded for the purpose of punishing the defendant for their inexcusable or reprehensible behavior that caused the accident and to deter other persons from performing similar acts .

Gross Negligence

In most states, in order to be awarded punitive damages, the defendant must have behaved maliciously, deceitfully, intentionally, or with extreme recklessness, disregard, or indifference. This type of behavior is generally referred to as gross negligence in personal injury cases. To be awarded punitive damages, an injured victim’s personal injury lawyer would have to prove gross negligence. Gross negligent behavior can be an act, or even a failure to act.

Example of Gross Negligence

To better understand gross negligence cases, here is an example of a potential accident that would call for punitive damages:

A building inspector identifies a railing hazard on the 3rd floor apartment balcony and gives the landlord a report that suggests repairing it immediately. Knowing that the balcony railing is loose and requires replacement, the landlord rents the apartment to a family without making the repair. As a result, the 3 year old child falls off the balcony and dies. The landlord could be said to have acted with extreme negligence and disregard to their tenant’s safety. The bereaved could file suit against the landlord seeking general damages and punitive damages in a wrongful death case.

Are you looking for skilled personal injury law firm to represent you in your gross negligence case in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent injured victims and loved ones of persons who have dies as a result of the negligence of another person or corporation throughout the state of Indiana.

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Does Personal Injury Compensation Cover Mental Health Treatment?

It is very common to suffer mental anguish and emotional health complications after being wrongly injured in an accident. This is especially true for those who have lost a loved one to a wrongful death incident, or for those who have to experience prolonged rehabilitation and therapy for their injuries or permanent injuries.

For this reason, many wrongfully injured victims wonder if they can obtain personal injury compensation to cover the cost of mental health treatment following an accident. The answer this question is not clear-cut, so continue reading to learn the facts you need to know.

Personal Injury Lawyer  Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700
Personal Injury Lawyer Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700

Claiming Mental Health Therapy as Part of Your Personal Injury Damages

As a wrongfully injured victim in a personal injury case, if you believe that your accident is directly related to your need for mental health therapy, you are entitled to claim these costs as damages. However, juries have the discretion of accepting that claim, as they would with any other medical claim. Insurance adjusters and legal representatives for insurance companies can be quite stubborn when it comes to accepting injured victims claims, even if supporting medical documentation is submitted. They will do everything they can in their power to reduce the value of the person’s claim as this is what they are trained to do and, in the end, if the insurance company pays less the insurance company makes more money.

For these reasons, it is critical to retain an experienced and skilled Indianapolis Indiana attorney who is well-versed and experienced in your type of personal injury accident. For instance, if you are injured in a car accident, be sure to hire a seasoned personal injury car accident lawyer. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, search for lawyers who specialize in premises liability cases. Accordingly, if you are injured at work, hire a workplace injury lawyer who knows OSHA regulations and all surrounding Worker’s Compensation laws.

Does Your Mental Health Treatment Relate to Your Accident?

When determining your eligibility for being awarded compensation for mental health treatment, whether through a therapist or psychologist, it is important to ask yourself: “Does my need for mental health therapy relate to my accident?” and “Am I receiving mental health treatment from a qualified mental health professional?”

If the answer to these questions are: “yes”, then you can claim the cost of your therapy as damages in your personal injury case and the jury can put a dollar figure award for your psychological injuries as well. From there, your injury attorney will document a strong and impactful case to prove your damages and obtain the maximum settlement or verdict you deserve.

One way your personal injury lawyer will prove that your mental health therapies are related to your accident is to obtain a written opinion from a licensed medical practitioner stating that your mental, psychological, or emotional condition and the resulting necessary medical care, is causally related to the at-fault party’s negligent actions or inactions.

Mental Health Professionals Include:

☑ Therapists
☑ Counselors
☑ Licensed Social Workers
☑ Psychiatrists
☑ Psychologists

Because personal injury cases consider medical expenses as damages, seasoned Indiana personal injury lawyers can prove that your mental health therapy expenses, including both counseling sessions and prescription medications, are valid medical expenses causally linked to your accident, and therefore legitimate damages that you should be compensated for.

Are you looking for skilled personal injury attorney to represent you in your Indiana accident claim? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation. Act now, before time runs out on your claim or significant evidence supporting your claim is lost. We represent surviving loved ones and persons injured as a result of the negligence of another throughout the state of Indiana.

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What are Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case?

The primary purpose of filing a personal injury claim is to pursue and recover financial compensation from an at-fault party for a victim’s damages. When a settlement or verdict is obtained, the at-fault party’s insurance company pays the verdict or settlement. This is intended to put the victim back into the position they were in before the accident, or to make them whole once again, including a monetary amount for the pain and suffering the injured person endured.

But we all know this isn’t always possible. For injured persons, damages are more than just financial, and a victim can never be the same after a serious accident. Therefore, several types of damages exist in accident law and are awarded in successful personal injury cases. But many people are confused about what the term damages represents in personal injury tort law.

Continue reading to learn what damages are in relation to accident lawsuits, and the difference between economic and non-economic damages.

Indiana Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700
Indiana Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Damages and Losses

Damages that result from a personal injury caused by a negligent party are generally losses. These losses can be financial, emotional, physical, and mental. Depending on the types of losses experienced following a personal injury, damages can be economic, non-economic, punitive, or a combination of all three. There are also damages known as nominal damages, which are small sums of compensation that are awarded to acknowledge that a victim, although not seriously injured or subject to substantial financial losses, was still violated in terms of their rights.

Facts About Economic Damages

Economic damages, also known as compensatory damages or general damages, are the calculable financial losses that can be defined by an actual dollar amount and redeemed through financial compensation. Economic damages include hospital bills (i.e., hospitalization, ambulance transport, anesthesia, emergency room services, surgeries, doctor care, x-rays, MRI’s, etc.), medical expenses (i.e., physical therapy, medical equipment, medication, etc.) lost wages from time off work, property damages, lost benefits from spouses’ death (i.e., insurance, veteran benefits, etc.), in-home nurse, and anything else that was a direct financial loss to the victim or their family.

Facts About Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to assign a dollar amount to because they are not direct and tangible monetary losses, like medical bills and lost wages. Instead, they are damages awarded for emotional or mental losses and tribulations. Examples of non-economic losses include pain and suffering damages, mental anguish or illness (i.e., depression, anxiety, etc.), loss of companionship (i.e., wrongful death, brain damage to loved one, paralysis of loved one that changes or prohibits the relationship, etc.), long-term medical care or medication dependencies, diminished quality of life, permanent disabilities, loss of ability to work, and more.

Understanding Punitive Damages

For very malicious or egregious acts, a judge or jury might also award punitive damages depending on the circumstances of a case. These are different from economic and non-economic damages because they are not intended to put a victim back into the same position they were in before an injury or accident, at least as much as possible. Although punitive damages are still paid in part to the plaintiff, they are meant to be more of a punishment for the at-fault party. They are intended to set a public example and double as a deterrent for the type of gross negligence involved in the case.

Are you ready to speak with a licensed injury attorney about obtaining compensation following your wrongful accident? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial case evaluation for your personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Act now before evidence is lost and time runs out on your claim. We represent clients all throughout the state.

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What are Common Damages in a Personal Injury Claim?

Accidents can happen at any time, and on a wide scope of severity. At times, accidents happen because of a person’s negligence, which can lead to a personal injury claim. Common examples of personal injury cases include motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, workplace injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault.

When someone is seriously injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, they may be entitled to certain compensation for their damages and losses incurred as a result of the accident and subsequent injuries. Damages and losses differ from case to case depending on several factors, such as the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and the unique circumstances of the accident.

Continue reading to learn more about common personal injury damages, and how to get started on your accident claim today.

Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm
Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Common Types of Losses

Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of losses, referred to as “compensatory damages.” These include economic losses, future economic losses, and non-economic losses. Types of economic losses may include medical expenses, hospital bills, over-the-counter medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, time off work, childcare expenses, home adaption expenses, fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits), and similar expenditures.

Types of future economic losses may include prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future prescription costs, future hospital costs, and more. Types of non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PSTD, loss of social life, loss of work abilities, loss of companionship, loss of education experience, and more.

Medical Expenses

After being seriously injured in an accident, a person will require medical attention; and unfortunately, medical care is not free. Medical bill coverage is a big part of the financial recovery in a personal injury case. Services like ambulance rides, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medical treatments, medicine, MRI’s, x-rays, CT scans, follow up care, and more, all cost a lot of money, even with health coverage. The total cost of a victim’s medical expenses varies from case to case, and depend largely on the extent and needs of their injuries. For more serious injuries, medical expenses can be ongoing for the remainder of a victim’s life, so future medical costs must be considered in a personal injury claim as well.

Lost Income and Additional Losses

When a person is seriously injured in an accident, they are unable to work, which means they lose out on the wages that generally pay for their cost of living. Rent, mortgages, car payments, electric bills, groceries, and more, are all common bills that must be paid to maintain the quality of life a victim had before the accident. If they are unable to work, they are losing money that usually pays these expenses and more. These types of losses may be recoverable in a personal injury case.

Additional monetary losses that may result from a serious injury include vehicle damages, funeral costs, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of work abilities, long-term emotional trauma, PTSD, and more.

Where to Get Trusted Legal Advice Regarding Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis. Licensed accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are ready to pursue your case and obtain a full and fair settlement for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

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Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since so many variables influence the final determination. A court must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Courts take this responsibility seriously since the law intends to help victims get back to the same state of life they were in before their accident.

It requires substantial evidence on behalf of the victim to recover the full and fair amount of compensation for the total amount of damages and losses. Evidence includes medical records, police reports, expense records, witness statements, interviews, and much more. But when the process of assessing damages is over, there are certain categories of damages that may be awarded. Continue reading to learn what three types of damages are awarded to injured victims and what they each represent.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are also called “actual” damages, since they are calculated by traceable and tangible losses. Compensatory damages have two subcategories: special damages and general damages. Special damages compensate victims for quantifiable economic losses, such as lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, legal fees, and property damage.

Special damages can also include incidental, speculative, and future damages if substantial evidence can prove future losses like prolonged therapy or loss of earning capacity. General damages, also referred to as hedonic damages, represent non-monetary losses, like pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can represent several losses, including mental anguish, loss of consortium, physical disablement, lost ability to work, reduced quality of life, wrongful death, grief, humiliation, damaged reputation, and more.

Punitive Damages

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Courts may also award additional punishable damages in special cases of egregiously offensive conduct. These are called punitive damages, or exemplary damages, and are more intended to reprimand the wrong-doer rather than award the victim (although the victim still receives monetary compensation). Punitive damages are awarded in cases where victims suffered losses as a result of anothers extreme maliciousness, brazenness, or flagrant negligence. They are intended to set an example, as well as,
reform the wrong-doer and deter others from
similar immoral behaviors.

Aggravated Damages

Aggravated damages are not a separate category of damages, but rather an extension of general damages that fall under compensatory damages. Aggravated damages are essentially the same as punitive damages, since they are awarded for cases of egregious invidious conduct, however, they are directly compensatory in nature. Punitive damages are meant to punish, whereas aggravated damages are meant to monetarily compensate a victim for aggravated injuries sustained by a defendant’s extreme malevolent conduct.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorneys you can trust. Seasoned accident lawyers Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to recover the full and fair compensation victims of wrongful injuries deserve. Our personal injury law firm provides free initial consultation and never collects attorney fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started on an effective path to restoring your life after a serious accident by calling our Indianapolis accident attorneys at
317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment today.