If you were injured due to the negligence of another and are now facing rising medical costs or problems caused by loss of property during that accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to gain compensation. However, it can be difficult to know which types of damages to seek and how to place a value on your case. Speaking to a lawyer can help you to better understand different types of personal injury damage and which you qualify for within the scope of the accident.
1. Pain and Suffering
Depending on the nature of your accident, you may have long-term physical pain that prevents you from enjoying the life you once had. Hobbies, a passion for your career and relationships with loved ones may all suffer as you struggle with pain management. Seeking damages caused by pain and suffering may help you afford superior medical care and physical therapy, which can be costly even with insurance assistance.
2. Mental Anguish
A traumatic accident can affect more than just your body, especially if you have vivid memories of that awful moment. Mental anguish damages compensate instances of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety that is a direct result of the accident. You may need to present your lawyer with signed documentation from a therapist or psychiatrist that outlines how your mental health has changed negatively since the accident.
3. Loss of Earning Potential
If you were permanently injured in an accident that was the fault of another, you may not ever be able to return to work. However, you can recover compensation for this instance by asking for lost wages or loss of earning capacity damages in your personal injury lawsuit. For example, if a slip-and-fall accident caused a traumatic brain injury and affects your ability to control arm or leg movements, you may not be able to return to your job as a machine operator in a factory. You may want to submit your medical records to an attorney as proof of your new disability.
4. Punitive Damages
You may be able to sue for punitive damages if the person or company responsible for your injuries was especially negligent or reckless. These damages are designed to punish the defendant for the offending act if he or she is found guilty. You can ask your attorney about caps for punitive damages in your state.
Deciding which damages to include in your lawsuit can be a puzzling process, but you do not have to ensure this process alone. Call an attorney, like a Personal Injury Attorneys Milwaukee, WI, today for further assistance and information.
Thank you to Hickey & Turim SC for their input into personal injury law.