People and businesses can cause harm to others through their actions or their negligence. In some cases, the party responsible for the injuries of another has insurance that can help cover the losses generated. Other times, there may not be insurance, or the policy limits that apply are too low given the impact of the incident.
Personal injury lawsuits are an option in scenarios where people can show that the illegal behavior or negligence of another party led to their injuries. Actions that break the law may constitute actionable misconduct. Negligence can involve engaging in unsafe behavior or failing to do what is necessary for safety. In scenarios where there is clear proof of either negligence or misconduct, an injury victim may have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit.
What types of losses can people seek to recover in a personal injury lawsuit?
Property damage losses
In scenarios involving car crashes or slip-and-falls in public locations, people can damage valuable property. They may have to repair a vehicle damaged by a wreck or replace a mobile device that they smash when they fall. Property damage losses are often a major contributing factor to the overall value of a personal injury lawsuit.
Medical expenses
When people get hurt, they require testing and treatment for medical professionals. A personal injury lawsuit can help people recover the expenses they have already incurred for medical care. People can also request compensation for their estimated future medical expenses as well. Particularly in scenarios where people have long-lasting medical issues, such as brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, future medical expenses can be an important consideration when estimating the compensation to seek in a lawsuit.
Lost wages or earning potential
Calculating lost wages can be a straightforward process in many cases. Injured people look at the number of days they were unable to work and calculate what they could have earned. Lost earning potential can be a bit more challenging to estimate. In scenarios where people sustain injuries with long-term medical implications, they may not be able to develop their careers as they intended. They may have to move to another profession or may not be eligible for advancement opportunities that could increase their wages and improve their benefits.
In some cases, people may also be able to request non-economic damages for the secondary consequences related to their injuries and property damage losses. In particular egregious cases involving a deliberate lack of regard for the safety of others, pursuing punitive damages could be an option as well.
Understanding what losses people can recover in a personal injury lawsuit can help them hold others accountable for their poor decisions. A successful lawsuit can limit the economic losses related to a car crash or similar incident.