If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you have probably thought about hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you get compensation. That’s a smart move, however, some of the legalese may be tough to understand, such as the term “non-economic damages.” Here, we’ll talk about what those are and the different types of non-economic damages that you might be able to recover monetary compensation for.

 

What Does “Non-Economic Damages” Mean?

This term seems complicated, but simply put, these are the damages you get to claim in an accident that don’t directly correspond with monetary losses. This includes things like the following:

Each of these parts of your claim are estimated by your lawyer and negotiated with the insurance companies based on the evidence of the case. But what are they?

 

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is the overarching term applied to the physical and emotional distress you’re going through as a result of the accident. That includes anguish caused by emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

 

Emotional Distress and Loss of Enjoyment Of Life

These two terms are clear; the emotional damages caused by the accident and the loss of quality of life afterward. What’s not so clear is how much money you can get for these losses. Your attorney will also negotiate these in the litigation process and handle the communication with the insurance companies.

 

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium covers damage done to your marriage and personal relationships, and in some cases, it can extend to the lost companionship felt by your family or loved one. Meaning, if you have been injured in such a way that affects your family or spouse, they may be able to receive compensation, as well.

Loss of consortium also includes any lost sexual function caused by your accident and injuries.

 

How Much Is Your Claim Worth?

Now that you know what these damages are, you probably want to know how much money you are eligible to recover for them. Unfortunately, this isn’t easy to estimate because every case is different. The best way to determine the amount of compensation you can receive is to contact a lawyer.

 

Hire an Injury Lawyer

It’s important that your medical expenses after an accident are fully covered, but don’t forget about the damages we’ve talked about here. It’s likely that the insurance companies will try to settle quickly and for as little money as possible. Don’t fall for their games. Instead, hire a lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates to handle your claim by completing the form below or by giving us a call at 1-800-404-9000.