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Friday, September 18, 2015

Personal Injury: Types of Damages

If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to multiple types of compensation, also known as damages. Your personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles can seek compensation for a number of different things. Generally, three types of damages are awarded in personal injury cases.

Compensatory Damages Related to Income

Special compensatory damages deal with monetary expenses. Also referred to as pecuniary damages, compensation can be granted for a loss of income and any expense incurred from the injury. This includes lost earnings, medical costs, and new household expenses. While there is usually a limit to the number of damages a victim can seek, there is no limit to special compensatory damages.

General Compensatory Damages

General compensatory damages are the most common damages sought after in court, as personal injury victims are expected to experiences some form of these damages. Unlike special compensatory damages, they do not deal with tangible losses. Instead, they cover issues like mental anguish or pain and suffering. These issues are generally experienced during an injury, hence the name.

Punitive Damages

Not every personal injury victim can seek punitive damages, which  are often reserved for cases in which the opposing party acted maliciously. Their actions towards the victim have to be reprehensible. Unlike other damages that make up for a loss, punitive damages are a punishment to deter future reprehensible behavior.

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