When you suffer harm because of another party’s negligent actions, you should make yourself aware of your legal options as soon as possible. If you are bringing a lawsuit in the aftermath of an injury, you may be wondering how personal injury damages are defined. As your injury lawyer in Tracy can explain to you, the compensation you will seek in your case depends on the nature of your injuries. These are the most common categories of damages in personal injury cases:
Health expenses. The party responsible for your injury should also be responsible for paying for your medical care. If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for all of your medical expenses, including hospital bills, physical therapy costs, home nursing care, medication bills, and transportation costs.
Lost wages. Oftentimes, an individual who has been injured will need to miss work—and thus lose out on potential earnings. You can seek compensation for lost wages or income, including loss of vacation days or sick time. In the event that you have been permanently disabled and prevented from returning to your job, you can sue for loss of your lifetime wages.
Pain and suffering. After an injury, you may have to endure a lengthy recovery period. You are entitled to compensation for the suffering you experience, including chronic pain and the amount of time it takes you to recover from your injury. Be sure to document your recovery, and save all of your doctor’s bills and other medical records.
Wrongful death. In the event that a loved one has died as a result of someone’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to sue for damages. The rules governing wrongful death lawsuits vary from state to state, so you should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to determine whether you have standing to sue.