Hello, my name is Susan Farris and my hobby is learning about the law. I have an uncle who is an attorney and I've always looked up to him and that's why I find subjects on law very interesting. Through speaking with my uncle and doing research on my own, I've learned about all the different fields of law. Each field of law centers on its own subject and most attorneys specialize in a certain area of law. These include criminal, personal injury, family, bankruptcy, criminal, immigration and business. I find each one of these fields very interesting and I have the utmost admiration for lawyers because they help people through their legal struggles. I wanted to share this information with others who have questions about the different types of attorneys and the law.
If you've been injured in an auto accident through no fault of your own, you might begin to hear the word "damages" a lot. It can mean the many ways your life is affected by an accident or it might mean the overall form of harm. In a personal injury case, there is always compensatory damages. More rarely, you might find punitive damages. Read on for a better understanding of how this term is used and learn more about how your case might proceed.
Compensating for Damages
When you are harmed by the actions of another, you can be paid back for any expenses incurred. That means you might be owed for your wrecked car, the money you lost when you missed work, your medical expenses, and pain and suffering. If a specific dollar amount can be connected to the form of damage, it is said to be actual or economic damages. For example, if you lost $500.00 in wages due to being out of work because of the wreck and dealing with it, you are owed exactly $500.00 in actual compensatory damages.
Non-economic Compensatory Damages
There might also be non-economic compensatory damages. This form of damage applies to issues that are not so easily converted to dollar and cents. When an accident impacts a victim, their entire life is affected. The negative effects of an accident go well beyond that of the physical and can affect relationships and enjoyment of life. The injuries caused by an accident may affect a victim's ability to get a good night's sleep or enjoy hobbies. Emotional trauma experienced by victims can affect their moods and it's not uncommon to be impacted by anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. You can be compensated for this issue and the money award is often based on the top dollar amount of what it took to take care of your physical injuries.
Punitive Damages
Judges can decide to award punitive damages in some cases. While uncommon in car accidents, judges may view the driver that caused the accident as in need of punishment. That means a damage award on top of the compensatory damage award. A few examples of when a punitive award might be called for include:
Find out more by speaking to your auto accident attorney.
Share28 May 2019
