If you’ve been hurt because of the carelessness or negligence of another person, you have a right to seek compensation (known under the law as “damages”) from the persons responsible for your injuries. You also have the right to recover monetary compensation for any property damage.
With respect to physical injuries, there are generally two broad types of damages: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse or compensate you for any losses you have or will sustain. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are intended to punish the defendant for inappropriate behavior, and are also intended to serve as a disincentive for others to engage in similar behavior. As a practical matter, punitive damages are extremely difficult to obtain.
Within the realm of compensatory damages, there are also two distinctions—economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are tangible and easy to ascertain—examples include:
- Lost wages and income if you cannot work because of your injury
- Any unreimbursed medical expenses you have incurred
- Loss of or damage to property
Non-economic damages, conversely, include those losses that are less tangible, and more variable. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering—this includes any discomfort you have incurred, as well as any you are reasonably expected to experience in the future
- Emotional distress—you may be able to recover damages for psychological effects of an accident or injury, including stress, anxiety, fear and depression
- Loss of consortium or companionship—these damages compensate you for the loss of intimacy with your spouse or the loss of companionship with family members
- Loss of enjoyment of life—you can also seek damages if you are no longer able to participate in activities that you love
Contact Our Office
At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we bring more than 14 years of experience individuals who have suffered any type of personal injury, including physical injuries in a motor vehicle accident. To set up an appointment, contact our office at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 or send us an e-mail.
