This kind of compensation typically includes medical expenses, which include prescription medications or devices, physical therapy and surgeries. It can also cover the loss of future earning potential.
This type of compensation can be described as "general damages." However, determining the value of these damages can be difficult since insurers employ different methods of calculation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible, measurable costs that result from an accident lawyer. These include out-of pocket expenses including lost wages as well as property damage costs and future financial losses resulting from the injury or disability. These costs are estimated by juries and courts based on documents such as hospital bills, pharmacy receipts, accident compensation and estimates of repairs to the vehicle.
These are the immediate expenses of a crash, and are easy to prove. They usually include medical costs, such as the initial hospital stay, Accident Compensation and any follow-up treatment and care. They can also include the cost of repairs to a damaged vehicle or other property items, like clothing and household products. These expenses could also include the cost of hiring someone else to do housework or drive your children to school or extracurricular events.
Loss of earnings is another important aspect of economic damages. These include not just missed wages from the time you were unable to work from work due to your injuries, but they can also take into account lost productivity while recovering and any vacation or sick days. In certain instances, you can even recover compensation for the loss of your future earning capacity when your injury stops you from returning to your previous job or stops you from earning the same amount in the future.
While these costs are relatively clear and measurable, some of the other damages you can claim are not as clear. These damages that are not economic can be more difficult to quantify and could include things like pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment.
What can you prove to prove these Damages?
Certain expenses can be established by means of receipts and papers however, some expenses may require expert testimony. For instance, in situations where an accident lawsuit leads to an extensive spinal cord injury that renders a person partially paralyzed, then it could be necessary to consult an occupational specialist to assess the full impact of the injury. This can help the court or jury determine with certainty what your full range of personal and financial impacts will be.
The most complicated economic damages are those that involve future medical expenses as well as lost earnings. It may be possible to document these expenses by using a medical professional's assessment of when you'll achieve the point of maximum medical improvement or when your recovery is likely to come to an end. However, you'll have to prove your future financial loss by submitting pay stubs, expense receipts and other proof of your past and present income.
Insurance companies are often trying to avoid paying the total amount of the damages they must legally pay. A personal injury lawyer with experience will ensure you receive all the compensation you are entitled to. Contact Dennis and King today to schedule a free consultation. We can help you pursue the full spectrum of your non-economic and economic damages following an New York car accident lawyers or another personal injury event.
