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When an individual is injured due to the negligence action of another, they may be eligible to receive a form of compensation known as damages. In the realm of Personal Injury lawsuits, damages serve as a remedy aimed at alleviating the adverse consequences stemming from a wrongful act. After successfully filing a Personal Injury case, an individual may be granted two distinct forms of damages: Compensatory Damages and Punitive Damages. These categories serve different purposes in addressing the harm caused by a wrongdoer’s actions.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory Damages are specifically designed to offer monetary compensation to the injured party for the losses and hardships they have endured because of the incident. These damages are calculated by assessing the actual damages suffered by the harmed individual. The objective behind Compensatory Damages is to restore the injured person to a state of wholeness by compensating them for both quantifiable financial losses and intangible non-monetary losses they have experienced.
Damages for Monetary Losses
In a Personal Injury case, an injured individual may pursue damages that aimed at offsetting the financial consequences they have endured because of an accident. These damages specifically address the quantifiable monetary losses incurred or expenses accrued directly due to the incident. They encompass the value of money that has been lost or expended due to an injury, seeking to provide appropriate compensation for the financial impact suffered by the injured party.
A Person May Recover for Monetary Losses Such as
- Medical Expenses
- Cost of living with a disability
- Lost wages
- Repair/ replacement of property
- Funeral expenses
Damages for Non-Monetary Losses
In addition to monetary compensatory damages, an injured individual may also pursue non-monetary compensatory damages within a Personal Injury case. These damages are aimed at providing relief for the intangible losses and hardships endured because of the accident and subsequent injury. Unlike monetary damages, which focus on tangible financial impacts, non-monetary compensatory damages address subjective and non-economic consequences. They seek to alleviate the intangible and non-quantifiable effects experienced by the injured party.
A Person May Recover for Non-Monetary Losses Such As:
Punitive Damages
Unlike Compensatory Damages, which are designed to provide compensation for the losses suffered by the injured party, Punitive Damages serve a different purpose. They are awarded as a means of punishing a wrongdoer for their actions and deterring them, as well as others, from engaging in similar misconduct in the future. Punitive Damages are typically reserved for cases where an individual’s behavior is deemed particularly egregious or malicious.
What should I do If I Have Questions About the Damages I Will Receive?
If you or a loved one has any questions regarding the type of compensation you can receive for your Personal Injury claim, you need to call an experienced Personal Injury Attorney. You will need an attorney who knows how to evaluate the value of your claim. The attorneys at Shalom Law can do just that. We are prepared to fight hard for you to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation: (718) 971-9474.