Understanding personal injury damages is crucial for anyone pursuing a personal injury claim. These types of damages aim to compensate for various losses resulting from personal injuries. Here's an overview of the three main types:

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant for severe wrongdoing and deter future misconduct. Although rare, they are awarded in cases involving egregious behavior like a company knowingly selling defective products or instances of gross negligence or intentional harm. These damages are typically awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages, offering a strong legal remedy.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the tangible costs directly tied to an injury. These include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation therapy, property damage, lost earning capacity, and future expenses like ongoing treatment and future lost wages. These damages are more straightforward to quantify as they can be proven with documentation, making them a frequent focus in personal injury lawsuits.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (impact on relationships). These damages are more challenging to quantify and often require legal expertise to determine fair compensation, especially in personal injury cases where emotional impact is significant.

Understanding these types of damages can help individuals seek fair compensation. We encourage you to consult with our law firm, Talarico Law Firm, to explore your options and take proactive steps in your case, especially in Central New York personal injury claims.