Damages in Columbus Personal Injury Cases
People who have been injured due to the negligent or intentional acts of others can face injuries ranging from the routine to the deadly. However, many people think that the only types of damages in Columbus personal injury cases they can claim in a lawsuit are physical damages.
While a physical harm is necessary to start the case, many additional damages beyond medical bills can be added onto a personal injury claim. Experienced personal injury lawyers help people who have been harmed due to another’s acts and help them seek appropriate compensation.
Physical Damages
Physical damages are at the core of any personal injury case. Indeed, one of the five elements in a negligence claim requires that a person suffer a physical harm in order to prevail. This physical harm may be a bodily injury or may take the form of property damage. For example, in car accidents, there are often two separate but related claims.
A plaintiff may make a claim for the damage to their car. They may also make a claim for any bodily injury. These bodily injuries take many forms including but not limited to:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Sprains and strains
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Death
When someone makes a claim alleging physical damages, they are seeking compensation for the treatment of these injuries. Types of damages in Columbus personal injury cases can include hospital bills, chiropractor bills, physical therapy, and costs of medications are all common items listed as physical damages.
Typically, a plaintiff in a personal injury case will claim damages in the exact amount of these medical bills. It is in the next category that the calculus of determining total damages becomes more complex.
Mental Damages
Mental damages may be easy to calculate based on lost wages based upon a temporary inability to return to work. Georgia’s statute of limitations limits the time after an accident that a person can file a suit in court, so one cannot wait until the exact total of the lost wages are known, as that could take years.
In cases of life-changing injuries, a plaintiff often must consult with economists and work specialists to determine the value of their mental injuries.
These experts examine all aspects of a person’s life to determine the true impact that these injuries will have. Common examples of injuries claimed for their impact on the quality of a person’s life include:
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity
- Emotional and Physical Impact of any Loss of Bodily Functions
- Loss of Consortium
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
It can be difficult to place an exact dollar figure on these types of damages in Columbus personal injury cases. It is for this reason that negotiations with insurance companies and their attorneys can become prolonged.
How Columbus Attorneys Can Help
Personal injury attorneys work with individuals to better understand the impact that their accident has had on their lives. They listen to your experiences and future prospects to determine the best course of action regarding which categories of damages apply to your case. It may be critical to speak with legal representation regarding the types of damages in Columbus personal injury cases to seek.
By consulting with doctors, economists, and workplace experts, attorneys form a coherent and comprehensive picture of the true impact that an injury has had on a person’s life. Whether your injury was a relatively minor one involving a few weeks of chiropractic work, or a catastrophic event that permanently changed your life, lawyers are here to fight for the fair compensation that you deserve with compassion and vigor.
