What kinds of personal injury damages may I be entitled to?

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, understanding the types of personal injury damages you may be entitled to can be crucial. At Hotz & Associates in Knoxville, Tennessee, we understand how overwhelming this period can be for you and your family. Keep reading to learn the types of personal injury damages you may entitled to, then contact a Knoxville personal injury lawyer at (865) 582-0042 for a free consultation. What exactly are “damages?” When discussing " damages " in the context of personal injury law, we're referring to the compensation awarded to an individual who has suffered harm due to another party's negligence or intentional act. This compensation is intended to restore the injured party, as much as possible, to the financial, physical, and emotional state they were in before the injury. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the various damages that may be involved in personal injury cases. Compensatory damages Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured plaintiff "whole" again from a monetary standpoint. These are further categorized into two types: economic and non-economic. Economic damages Economic damages are intended to compensate you for the financial losses you have experienced due to your injury. These can include: Medical expenses – All medical treatments related to your injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care you may need. Lost wages – If your injury has caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for your lost wages. This also includes loss of earning capacity if your ability to work and earn a salary has been permanently affected. Property damage – If any personal property was damaged due to the incident that caused your injury, you could be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs. Non-economic damages Non-economic damages are awarded for losses that are not financial but are still significant. These include: Pain and suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have suffered since your injury. Emotional distress – Injuries can also lead to significant emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. Compensation for these aspects acknowledges the psychological impact of your injuries. Loss of consortium – If your injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship and support. Tenn. Code § 29-39-102 Compensation for any noneconomic damages suffered by each injured plaintiff cannot exceed $750,000 unless the injury is catastrophic in nature. Tennessee law defines a “catastrophic injury” as: Spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia Amputation of two (2) hands, two (2) feet or one (1) of each Third-degree burns over forty percent (40%) or more of the body as a whole or third-degree burns up to forty percent (40%) percent or more of the face Wrongful death of a parent leaving a surviving minor child or children for whom the deceased parent had lawful rights of custody or visitation. Punitive damages Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the injured party but to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to deter similar acts in the future. These are not awarded in every personal injury case but are more common in cases involving malicious or particularly reckless conduct. Hotz & Associates is here to recover full compensation At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we understand that dealing with personal injury damages can be complex and emotional. We strive to handle your case with the empathy and attention it deserves. We aim to ensure that you receive full compensation for all your injuries and losses, helping you focus on your recovery and rebuilding your life. If you're dealing with the aftermath of an injury and unsure about the next steps, we're here to help. Our team is committed to providing personalized legal guidance, helping you navigate the often complicated process of claiming personal injury damages. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to move forward with confidence and peace of mind. Related articles for further reading Are lawyer fees tax-deductible? Do you pay taxes on personal injury settlements? How are personal injury settlements paid out?

What Personal Injury Damages Am I Entitled To?

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, understanding the types of personal injury damages you may be entitled to can be crucial. At Hotz & Associates in Knoxville, Tennessee, we understand how overwhelming this period can be for you and your family. Keep reading to learn the types of personal injury damages you may entitled to, then contact a Knoxville personal injury lawyer at (865) 582-0042 for a free consultation.

What exactly are “damages?”

When discussing “damages” in the context of personal injury law, we’re referring to the compensation awarded to an individual who has suffered harm due to another party’s negligence or intentional act. This compensation is intended to restore the injured party, as much as possible, to the financial, physical, and emotional state they were in before the injury. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the various damages that may be involved in personal injury cases.

Compensatory damages

Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured plaintiff “whole” again from a monetary standpoint. These are further categorized into two types: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages

Economic damages are intended to compensate you for the financial losses you have experienced due to your injury. These can include:

Medical expenses – All medical treatments related to your injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care you may need.
Lost wages – If your injury has caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for your lost wages. This also includes loss of earning capacity if your ability to work and earn a salary has been permanently affected.
Property damage – If any personal property was damaged due to the incident that caused your injury, you could be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages are awarded for losses that are not financial but are still significant. These include:

Pain and suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have suffered since your injury.
Emotional distress – Injuries can also lead to significant emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. Compensation for these aspects acknowledges the psychological impact of your injuries.
Loss of consortium – If your injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship and support.

Tenn. Code § 29-39-102

Compensation for any noneconomic damages suffered by each injured plaintiff cannot exceed $750,000 unless the injury is catastrophic in nature. Tennessee law defines a “catastrophic injury” as:

Spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia
Amputation of two (2) hands, two (2) feet or one (1) of each
Third-degree burns over forty percent (40%) or more of the body as a whole or third-degree burns up to forty percent (40%) percent or more of the face
Wrongful death of a parent leaving a surviving minor child or children for whom the deceased parent had lawful rights of custody or visitation.

Punitive damages

Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the injured party but to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to deter similar acts in the future. These are not awarded in every personal injury case but are more common in cases involving malicious or particularly reckless conduct.

Hotz & Associates is here to recover full compensation

At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we understand that dealing with personal injury damages can be complex and emotional. We strive to handle your case with the empathy and attention it deserves. We aim to ensure that you receive full compensation for all your injuries and losses, helping you focus on your recovery and rebuilding your life.

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an injury and unsure about the next steps, we’re here to help. Our team is committed to providing personalized legal guidance, helping you navigate the often complicated process of claiming personal injury damages. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to move forward with confidence and peace of mind.