If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation is known as your “damages.” There are two main types of damages in Columbus personal injury cases.
Navigating a personal injury can be overwhelming, especially when bills and expenses mount. Understanding the types of economic damages that can be claimed is crucial before you or a loved one seek compensation.
A Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you recover economic damages after an injury and pursue the full and fair compensation you’re entitled to.
Understanding Damages in Personal Injury Cases
Damages in a personal injury case are the monetary compensation awarded to the injured people. There are two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. While non-economic damages compensate for non-quantifiable losses such as pain and suffering, economic damages cover financial losses that can be quantified. This includes medical bills, property repairs, and other expenses.
Medical Expenses
Economic damages compensate you for medical expenses incurred from injuries in an accident. Many types of medical expenses can be recovered. This includes bills for emergency services, hospitalization, surgeries, and medications. It also includes costs for rehabilitation or future medical care necessitated by the injury. You may be entitled to current and ongoing medical costs.
Lost Wages
Economic damages compensate you for lost income during post-accident recovery. This includes current wages and future earning capacity if your injury results in a permanent disability that affects your ability to work or earn as before. Lost wages also encompass other missed compensation, such as bonuses, promotions, and benefits you would have accrued if not for the injury.
Property Damage
Economic damages include compensation for damage to your personal property. This includes compensation for repairing or replacing property damaged or destroyed due to the incident. This may include personal belongings or a vehicle in car accident cases.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Economic damages include other accident-related out-of-pocket expenses. These encompass a broad range of losses related to your accident and injury. Common expenses include travel costs to medical appointments, hiring home aides, or modifying your home to accommodate a disability.
Understanding the different categories of economic damages is important. You should know what economic damages you may be entitled to due to someone else’s negligence. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recover fair compensation for your economic damages.
Limits on Economic Damages in Columbus, Ohio
Some states impose caps on certain types of damages. Fortunately for those injured in Columbus, Ohio, the state does not cap economic damages under Section 2315.18. This means you can recover the full extent of your financial losses without being restricted by a limit. However, it is important to note that Ohio law does have caps on non-economic damages, which vary depending on the specifics of the case.
This means you can recover the full extent of your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. A Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you assess the full extent of your economic damages.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Recovering Economic Damages
Navigating a personal injury claim is challenging. It can be particularly so when you try to recover your economic damages. A Columbus personal injury lawyer plays an important role in helping you recover post-accident compensation.
A lawyer can help with:
- Accurately Calculating Your Damages: Lawyers have experience thoroughly calculating current and future economic damages. This ensures all potential areas of compensation are accounted for and covered.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. A personal lawyer can negotiate effectively to secure a fair settlement for your economic damages.
- Litigating Claims: A personal injury lawyer will represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation. They will present a compelling case supported by evidence to help you recover the economic damages you may be entitled to.
- Navigating Legal Challenges: Recovering economic damages can present hidden challenges. For example, an opposing party may dispute the extent of your injuries or their cause. A personal injury lawyer can help you refute these arguments with evidence and, if necessary, expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.
Schedule a free consultation with a Columbus personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured in Columbus, Ohio.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Economic damages are a significant source of post-accident compensation. Recovering them after an injury helps make you financially whole again. From immediate medical expenses to long-term losses, economic damages can help you get back on your feet. If you or a loved one are navigating a personal injury in Columbus, consult with a personal injury lawyer. Doing so can help with recovering the economic damages you may be entitled to.
