When it comes to personal injury law, most people know that they can file a lawsuit for medical costs. Did you know that there are a few different types of damages included in a personal injury lawsuit? Here are three of the more forgotten or unknown damages that you may be able to request.
Lost Income
Some injuries require you to take time off work. If you suffered a back injury and your job requires you to lift heavy objects daily, you won’t be able to continue your job in the same capacity until you are healed. Some injuries require lengthy hospital stays or surgeries to repair the damage. You are not only entitled to the medical bills that you need to pay during this time. You are entitled to damages based on the lost income from your time off work.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
There are a lot of out-of-pocket costs that you may have to pay when it comes to your injury. These costs include expenses that you would not have to pay for if you were not injured. You may need to buy yourself medical aids, such as a cane or wheelchair. You may need to pay parking fees for the hospital that you go to for healthcare. These may be small costs, but they add up over time. It is important to include any expenses that you had due to your injury.
Punitive Damages
In some states, you can also collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are damages that the jury awards the plaintiff to punish the defendant. To collect these damages, the defendant had to be extremely negligent with his or her actions. Often, the defendant will have acted out of malice. For instance, car accidents that result from road rage may reward punitive damages. The damages are an extra cost that the court provides the plaintiff as a way to deter that type of behavior. Most of the time, a state will have a cap on punitive damages. You cannot receive an unreasonable amount compared to your compensatory damages.
There are many different types of damages you can request when you file a lawsuit. In most cases, it is to your benefit to talk with a personal injury lawyer. He or she can inform you of the basics of personal injury law and guide you through what types of damages you can request. To consult with a personal injury lawyer, set up an appointment as soon as possible.