Personal Injury Cases: What Kind of Compensation Can You Typically Expect?

Were you in an auto accident, workplace slip-and-fall, or animal attack? Utah’s personal injury claims focus on the issue of negligence, and those not at fault have the right to request compensation from responsible parties.

A Utah personal injury lawyer will help you get the settlement you deserve, but the recovery amount will depend on which damages are applied. Here, we’ll review compensation types in the state’s personal injury cases.

Economic Damages in Personal Injury Cases

Also called special damages, economic damages compensate victims for measurable losses arising from their injuries. Economic damages include:

· Medical bills: Personal injury cases focus on the cost of accident-related medical treatment, such as current and future care.

· Lost wages: An injury may force a victim to take time away from work. Utah personal injury claimants can seek compensation for lost income.

· Diminished earning capacity: In some cases, accident victims can only work a little—or can’t work at all. In these instances, awards may include lost future income.

· Lost property: Many injury accidents also result in property damage and loss. Under state law, victims can receive compensation for the market value of damaged items.

· Household duties: While recovering, an accident victim may not be able to perform their regular household duties. Compensation may be given so a victim can hire help with cleaning, cooking, and childcare.

Next, we’ll explain non-economic losses in personal injury cases.

Non-Economic Damages Are Available

In Utah personal injury cases, non-economic damages compensate claimants for the unquantifiable losses incurred because of an accident. Also referred to as general damages, non-economic damages include:

· Pain and suffering: Accident injuries involve physical pain, and victims can receive compensation for the suffering they’ve endured.

· Emotional distress: Being in an accident creates psychological effects such as mental anguish, depression, and guilt.

· Lost quality of life: Many accident victims are left unable to participate in the activities they enjoy, and they can receive compensation for their diminished quality of life.

· Loss of companionship and consortium: Being injured affects spousal relationships. Victims can file claims for the loss of love, affection, and intimate companionship.

· Disfigurement: Permanent injuries, mobility impairments, and scarring affect self-esteem and quality of life. These effects may last a lifetime, and compensation is available in Utah.

· Punitive damages: Rarely given in the state, punitive or exemplary damages don’t compensate for losses, but punish an at-fault party.

Non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify, but they’re a crucial part of the state’s personal injury settlements. A local injury attorney can help you get what you deserve.

How Injury Attorneys Can Help Accident Victims

If you’re planning to bring a personal injury claim, having legal counsel is a must. These cases are complex and require a detailed understanding of state law and the court system. With an attorney in your corner, you won’t worry about missing court deadlines or making mistakes.

Knowing which damages can be obtained is a key part of a personal injury case—and those with no legal knowledge may lose a substantial sum of money. An experienced attorney will know which damages are applicable, maximizing compensation and getting the settlement you deserve. Don’t work through the court system alone; rely on a lawyer’s skill. Use the online form to request additional information or call to schedule a consultation.