Non-Economic Damages Explained
If you have been injured in some kind of accident, you may be suffering from much more than just physical ailments. This type of situation can result in significant emotional and mental issues, and you deserve compensation for these problems if you are filing a lawsuit. These types of issues are known as “non-economic damages.” If you are serious about receiving the maximum possible compensation for your accident, it makes sense to gain an understanding of these non-economic damages and how they work.
Of course, the first step is always to get in touch with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Florida. These legal professionals can help you strive for the best possible results, and they’ll go over the various types of damages you might be able to claim in your lawsuit. During an initial consultation, you can ask as many questions as you like to gain a more complete understanding of how this legal process works.
Examples of Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can take many different forms, as there are many different emotional and mental problems that can arise after an accident. For minor accidents, non-economic damages are often represented by somewhat broad and vague terms like “emotional distress” or “pain & suffering.” In other cases, however, non-economic damages can be much more specific, and may include things like:
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
How Non-Economic Damages Affect Your Lawsuit
Non-economic damages can be tricky to calculate since they do not represent losses of specific dollar amounts. In other words, these abstract losses must be calculated in a different manner rather than simply examining the receipts and adding up the costs. In most personal injury lawsuits, your non-economic damages will be represented by a “general damages multiplier.” This is a number on a scale from about 1 to 4, although higher numbers are possible with more serious injuries.
Your general damages multiplier will have a significant effect on your total settlement amount because it is used to multiply your total economic damages. For example, you might have $100,000 in medical expenses and a further $40,000 in missed wages. If your general damages multiplier is determined to be two, your total settlement amount would become $280,000. This is why it’s so important to prove the legitimacy of your non-economic damages, because it can double, triple, or even quadruple your settlement amount. A qualified attorney can help you prove the legitimacy of these damages in a confident, efficient manner.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
Contact the skilled Orlando personal injury lawyers at Payer Law for help recovering compensation. Over the years, we have helped numerous plaintiffs pursue fair, adequate compensation for their injuries. We know that mental and emotional scars can be just as serious as physical ailments, and they often take longer to heal. With our assistance, you can pursue a settlement that adequately reflects the true extent of your non-economic damages. Book your consultation today to get started.
Source:
facs.org/advocacy/federal/liability/guide-to-liability-reform/ending-the-confusion
