What Type of Compensation Am I Entitled To?
Like most people, you’re probably aware that you can recover compensation for damages or losses through a personal injury case. However, there are many different types of compensation that you may be entitled to. This means that it’s essential to have a personal injury attorney in Bethlehem on your side to ensure that you get fair compensation.
Below, we will take a closer look at the types of compensation you may be entitled to for personal injury damages so that you can make informed decisions throughout your case.
Types of Personal Injury Compensation
The purpose of a claim for personal injury damages is for you to be “made whole.” This means that any losses you experienced because of injury caused by someone else are eligible for compensation. Depending on the exact situation, you may also be eligible for additional compensation as well.
Below are the three most common types of compensation seen in cases involving personal injury damages.
Economic Damages
When you’re injured, you often experience financial losses to varying degrees. When these injuries are caused by another person, you often receive compensation designed to repay you for these losses called economic damages. The exact amount of this compensation is typically relatively easy to estimate as you simply add up how much money you lost.
This may include compensation for things such as:
- Medical bills pertaining to treatment for the injury both at the time of its occurrence and in the future
- Lost wages as a result of missing work because of the injury as well as future earnings lost if your ability to work was affected
- The loss of or damage to your personal property associated with the injury
- Other out-of-pocket losses experienced because of costs associated with the other party’s actions
Calculating the fair amount for your economic damages can be tricky. Consult personal injury lawyer in Bethlehem to know the fair and due amount of your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to economic damages, you may also be entitled to compensation for other losses experienced that don’t have a direct financial impact. These are called non-economic damages and they typically affect your quality of life. This is when your injuries cause both physical and mental pain.
These types of compensation can include payment for:
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
To understand more about non-economic damages, consulting a personal ijur lawyer in Bethlehem is crucial.
Punitive Damages
Should your injuries be the result of conduct that was intentionally harmful as opposed to simply negligent, your compensation may include punitive damages. This type of compensation does not pay for your actual losses but instead is designed to punish the responsible party for causing harm to you. The court will determine the exact amount of punitive damages, if any, to include in your compensation, making it difficult to estimate how much you will receive.
Limitations on Compensation
Depending on your claim, there may be limits to how much compensation you can collect for personal injury damages. While a personal injury law firm in Easton can supply you with guidance on what these limitations may be in your unique situation, let’s take a brief look at the most common types of limitations.
Tort reform limits are laws that vary state by state and limit the amount of compensation you can receive in certain personal injury claims. These laws are most common in medical malpractice cases in an effort to limit the liability of doctors, therefore lowering the cost of healthcare.
If your case involves dealing with an insurance company to receive your compensation, there may be policy limits that come into play. While you are allowed to pursue a claim that goes beyond the policy limits, the insurance company will only pay up to its maximum. Any additional compensation will be collected from the individual defendant, which can prove difficult.
Do You Need Heed Help With Your Personal Injury Compensation?
To ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your personal injury claim, it’s recommended that you work with a personal injury lawyer in Bethlehem. A skilled and experienced attorney can make it possible for you to receive an amount in your claim that appropriately covers your needs. Sharma Law Office has over a decade of experience in the personal injury field behind us with an unparalleled dedication to our clients. So if you need help obtaining the settlement you deserve, give us s call today for a consultation.