Personal injury victims will experience many types of losses. Fortunately, they can recover their losses by filing a claim. However, the problem is that claiming compensation is not an easy task. Hiring a lawyer can somewhat reduce the stress of a personal injury case.
In a personal injury case, you can claim three types of damages. They are:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
When filing a personal injury case, most people forget to factor in their non-economic losses. A lawyer can help you avoid this error. They know the types of damages that can be claimed for your particular type of case.
What are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are losses you incur as a result of the accident that are not financial. Simply put, non-economic damages are damages that are not quantifiable. Economic damages allow you to claim compensation for the medical bills you incurred due to the injuries you sustained, whereas non-economic damages allow you to claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced due to the injury.
Types of Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages have many subcategories. Some of the most common types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of quality of life
- Reputation damage
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
Note that all the above-mentioned damages are not quantifiable and are subjective. You need to consider these damages when calculating compensation.
Impacts of Non-Economic Damages
Seeking non-economic damages is important to maximize your compensation. Economic damages can compensate for the financial losses you incurred. But what about the pain you experienced due to the defendant’s negligence? Not only that, economic damages don’t count the loss of quality of life you will experience in the future.
The defendant should be held liable for the non-financial losses you sustain. You might enjoy dancing but might not be able to do that due to your injury. It is unfair that you are not able to dance because of someone else’s negligence. The defendant should pay for that.
Usually, non-economic damages are calculated using the multiplier method. Since there is no way to fix a number for non-financial losses, the multiplier method is used. Your economic losses will be multiplied by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injury.
Let’s say the judge or jury chooses 3 as your multiplier, and your total economic loss is $75,000. Your non-economic damage will be $225,000. The multiplier will be increased only when the type of accident is severe or the negligence of the defendant is particularly malicious.
Without the non-economic damages, your total compensation would be only $75,000. But if you seek non-economic damages too, your total compensation would be $300,000. Some states put a cap on non-economic damages. Speak with your lawyer to know the rules regarding non-economic damages in your city.
Takeaway
Insurance companies will try to get 1.5 as your multiplier number. And they will use many unethical strategies to do that. A lawyer can stop that. Hire a lawyer and maximize your compensation.