4 Types of Compensation in a Personal Injury Case

If you have been hurt in an accident of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Talking with personal injury lawyers in your area may help you better understand how much money you may be entitled to and how to get it. Let’s take a look at the four most common types of financial awards that an individual may be entitled to after getting hurt because of someone else’s negligence.

1. Current and Future Medical Bills

In most cases, an injured victim is going to seek medical treatment for his or her injuries. If you have to see a doctor to treat an infected wound or go to the hospital for a head injury, the person who hurt you is likely responsible for paying the cost to seek such treatment. The same is also true if you need multiple surgeries or will need to take medication for the rest of your life to keep symptoms of your injuries under control.

2. Emotional Pain Matters Too

You may be entitled to compensation for psychological injuries in addition to your physical injuries. Examples of emotional distress damages may include the cost of trying to deal with mental anguish in the aftermath of the accident. For instance, you may see a therapist to deal with anxiety or to talk about the bad dreams that you have each night.

For some, the thought of getting into a car after a serious accident is difficult or impossible because they are suffering from PTSD. Typically, a jury will put a specific dollar amount to compensate you for intangible losses related to emotional injuries.

3. You May Be Compensated for Lost Future Earnings

It is possible that you won’t be able to go back to work again after being hurt in an accident. Therefore, you may be given a financial award to make up for the lost earnings associated with being unable to work. The amount that you receive will depend on what type of work that you did at the time of the accident and any opportunities that you may have had at promotions or raises in the future. In addition to being compensated for your lost future earnings, a jury may also award you compensation for lost wages while you recovered from the accident.

4. Actual Losses May Be Recouped in a Lawsuit

Let’s say that your vehicle was totaled in an accident involving a drunk driver. The actual value of the car will likely be part of any settlement or jury award that you receive. If there was an expensive laptop or other electronics, you will likely be awarded the value of those items as well. If an accident occurred on your property, you could be compensated for the cost of repairing your home in addition to the cost of repairing or replacing damaged items such as a pool or hot tub.

If you have been injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you provide for yourself and your family. Instead, hire a lawyer who may be able to help you figure out a way to recover from your injuries without having to worry about how to pay for that recovery.