What Are Non-Economic Damages

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Accidents are devastating because they come with unexpected losses, both tangible and intangible. In some cases, you can file an injury claim to recover these losses and out-of-pocket expenses, if you can prove that the other party acted negligently.

The financial compensation or awards that you receive for this are known as damages, and most claims will have two types. If you’re wondering how much economic or non-economic damages you should recover, consult a local personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case.

Examples of Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate accident victims for their intangible suffering. Unlike economic damages, these intangible forms of loss don’t come with a bill or receipts to show exactly how much should be recovered in dollar value.

Instead of compensating the plaintiff for the actual money spent due to the accident, non-economic damages make up for the lost joy and quality of life.

The most common types of non-economic damages in injury claims are:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish and emotional distress
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Reputational damage
  • Humiliation
  • Lost ability to enjoy life activities
  • Loss of consortium

How Much Can I Recover in Non-Economic Damages?

The value of your non-economic damages has no legal limit and will depend on how much the accident has affected you and your loved ones. An attorney can use pieces of evidence like psychological evaluations, pain medication, testimonies from people you interact with, and images to prove the extent of these damages.

The exact amount you should receive can be challenging to determine because you cannot attach a monetary value to things like pain. Thus, the final award might depend on factors like injury severity, how long before you can return to normality, and whether the injury is permanent.

The state has imposed caps on a few types of injury claims as well, which will also play a role in determining how much you can recover.

Get More Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer

Involved in an accident and not sure where to begin? A personal injury lawyer can clear any confusion and provide the support you’ll need when you are ready to pursue a claim for compensation.

Discuss the details of your case with an attorney from Pazner Law, including how much your non-economic damages may be worth. Call 313-822-2244 or send us a brief message by filling out the contact form below.

For more quick answers, visit our personal injury FAQ page.