No matter what accident you have been involved in, you could recover compensation for your losses and injuries. Whether you were involved in a slip-and-fall accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, etc., your experienced attorney will pursue compensation to ensure you can return to your everyday life. The compensation you could receive from your California personal injury lawsuit is categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
What Are Economic Damages?
Under California Civil Code Section 1431.2 (b)(1), economic damages are defined as “objectively verifiable monetary losses.” Economic damages are meant to compensate the accident victim for the economic loss caused by the accident. This economic loss can be easily calculated and quantifiable. Economic damages are more likely to be pursued than non-economic damages since non-economic damages can be a bit more challenging to prove.
There are different economic damages you could recover from your California accident. However, the value of damages differs on a case-by-case basis. For a more personalized look into your case, contact a personal injury lawyer to schedule a free case consultation.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses start adding up the minute you have been involved in an accident. Medical expenses also take into consideration the severity of the injury and any future expenses that the plaintiff may need.
Medical expenses include:
- X-Rays
- MRIs
- Hospital visits
- Urgent care visits
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic treatments
- Medication costs
- Doctors fees
- Medical equipment
- Home care
- Travel expenses
After you have been involved in an accident in California, you should get immediate medical attention.
Property Damage
Property damage can include:
- Vehicle Repair Costs
- Vehicle Replacement Costs
- Diminished Value Of The Vehicle
- Temporary Housing
- Damage To Electronics
- Damage To Appliances
Property damage refers to the financial loss resulting from personal property damage.
Loss of Income
Loss of income refers to the hours the plaintiff lost because they are now unable to work after suffering accident injuries.
Loss of income includes:
- Wages the plaintiff would have earned
- Loss of overtime hours
- Loss of benefits
- Loss of future income
- Loss of promotion
- Loss of raises
- Loss of pension
If the plaintiff was employed during the car accident, loss of income can be a significant component of economic damages.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Loss of earning capacity is different from loss of income because loss of earning capacity considers the effect the accident injuries have on future income loss. For example, if the plaintiff has suffered permanent injuries, they may ultimately be unable to return to work.
Below are some factors your attorney would consider when claiming loss of earning capacity:
- Inability to perform certain jobs
- Missed career opportunities
- Loss of education or training
A plaintiff could recover compensation for their diminished earning capacity.
Wrongful Death Expenses
A wrongful death case is a lawsuit filed on behalf of the deceased accident victim. The family members who are filing a wrongful death lawsuit could be compensated for the financial losses they have suffered from their family member’s death.
Wrongful death expenses can include:
- Medical Expenses to treat the accident victim before they passed away
- Funeral costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household management
A wrongful death case is a bit more complex since there are specific requirements the claimant must have to meet to file a wrongful death suit.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses are expenses the plaintiff incurs as a result of the accident that are paid out of their own pocket.
Out-of-pocket expenses can include:
- Transportation costs
- Prescription costs
- Child care
- Personal care
- Travel expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses add up fairly quickly, especially if the lawsuit takes several years to investigate.
Is There a Limit On the Amount Of Economic Damages That I Can Receive In California?
Some states cap the amount of damages plaintiffs can receive. But, in California, there is no cap on the amount of economic damages a plaintiff can be awarded in an accident lawsuit because they are based on actual invoices and bills that are quantifiable.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
You could also recover non-economic damages through your California personal injury lawsuit.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Mental suffering
- PTSD
- Mental anguish
- Humiliation
- Loss of Confidence
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
- Damage to reputation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Non-economic damages are more subjective and focus on feelings and emotional distress caused by the accident.
A Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Recover Economic Damages
To recover any of the above economic damages, you should provide evidence of each loss. It takes work to manage documents and records. An experienced personal injury attorney will take care of all the record-keeping for you while also seeking compensation to help you get back on track.
Contact a Fresno personal injury lawyer today to schedule your free consultation and learn how you can recover economic damages after an accident or injury.
