Sustaining an injury as a result of another person’s acts of negligence can be a traumatic experience.
There are multiple types of compensation you can consider pursuing. However, to ensure you are sufficiently compensated for your injuries, it is crucial that you have a sound understanding of the types of personal injury compensation you could be eligible to receive.
Here are three types of damages you can sue for following a personal injury.
Compensatory damages
These are compensation for losses you are entitled to following an injury or accident caused by another party’s negligent acts. Compensatory damages can include things like:
- Your lost wages
- The cost of your known medical bills
- The estimated value of your future medical bills
- Property losses
You may also be due compensation for pain and suffering or other hard-to-calculate losses.
Nominal damages
The main purpose of nominal damages is to gain official recognition that the defendant’s action was wrong even though the plaintiff did not suffer significant losses or harm. Nominal damages may also be awarded if the plaintiff is unable to prove the actual value of their loss.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages are designed to punish the offender for malicious, fraudulent or willful actions that resulted in harm to the plaintiff. Punitive damages are meant to serve two purposes:
- Discourage the defendant from engaging in such behavior in the future
- Deter others from engaging in such behavior
Depending on the severity of the impact, a personal injury can significantly impact your life. Familiarizing yourself with the claims process as well as the types of damages available in a personal injury situation can help you successfully get the compensation you deserve for your injury and losses.