Personal injury cases enable victims of negligence or intentional harm to seek compensation for the financial damages caused by another party.
Each type of compensation plays a crucial role in ensuring that victims of personal injury in Ohio receive justice and support for their losses. Understanding the basics of these types of damages may help a victim as they work to maximize the compensation to which they’re rightfully entitled.
Economic damages
Economic damages in Ohio personal injury claims refer to the tangible, out-of-pocket expenses that a victim incurs due to their injury. These can include medical bills, from emergency treatment and hospital stays to rehabilitation and future medical care. Lost wages are also a significant part of economic damages, compensating for the income the injured person has lost and will lose due to their inability to work.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses that don’t have a specific dollar amount associated with them. Pain and suffering is the most recognized form of non-economic damages, accounting for the physical discomfort and emotional distress the victim experiences. Loss of consortium has to do with the impact on the victim’s relationship with their family members or partner, is also included here. These damages are more subjective and are evaluated based on the extent of the harm suffered by the individual.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages in Ohio are less about compensating the victim and more about punishing the defendant for particularly egregious or malicious behavior. They serve to prevent the defendant and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. These damages are awarded under more stringent conditions and aren’t tied to the victim’s direct financial losses or emotional suffering. Instead, they are determined by the nature of the defendant’s actions. As such, they aren’t available in every case.
Getting legal assistance can make these cases less stressful for victims. This effort enables them to focus on healing from their injuries while their representative handles the case.