Personal injury claims may include economic and non-economic damages, and in rare cases, punitive damages. These damages are meant to address both the money you lose and the personal harm you experience. The exact damages available depend on your injuries and how the accident affects your life.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover losses that are easier to measure with bills, receipts, and records.
They often include:
- Medical bills and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Rehabilitation, therapy, or assistive devices
- Out-of-pocket costs, like prescriptions and transportation
- Property damage, such as repairs or replacement costs
These losses help show the financial impact the accident has had on your household.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the human impact of an injury. This may include pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. It can also include limits on normal activities, strained relationships, and the stress of living with ongoing symptoms.
In some cases, permanent injuries can increase both economic and non-economic damages. A lawyer can help connect the evidence, like medical records and personal testimony, to the damages you are claiming.
Punitive Damages
In some personal injury cases, punitive damages may also be available. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not meant to compensate the injured person for losses. Instead, they are intended to punish especially dangerous or reckless behavior and to discourage similar conduct in the future.
Punitive damages are not awarded in every case. In Georgia, they are typically reserved for situations involving willful misconduct, extreme negligence, or intentional harm, such as drunk driving or reckless disregard for safety.
A Savannah personal injury lawyer can explain whether punitive damages may apply based on the specific facts of your case and the evidence available.