If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Oklahoma City, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Understanding the different types of damages available in a personal injury case can help you know what to expect and how much your case may be worth.
In Oklahoma, injury victims can seek compensation for both the financial losses and emotional harm they have suffered. This article will explain the different kinds of damages that may be available in an Oklahoma City personal injury case.
What Are Damages?
In personal injury law, damages are the money paid to a person who was harmed because of someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing. They are meant to make the injured person “whole” again by covering things like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
There are three main types of damages in Oklahoma personal injury cases:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Each type serves a different purpose.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the actual, out-of-pocket costs you face because of the accident. These are often easy to prove using bills, receipts, or employment records. They cover the financial losses caused by the injury.
Medical Expenses
One of the most common types of economic damages is medical bills. This includes emergency room visits, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and any future care you might need. Even things like hospital parking or over-the-counter supplies can be included.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Ability
If your injury has kept you from working, you can claim lost wages. If your injury is serious enough to keep you from working in the future or reduces your ability to earn money, you can also be compensated for your lost earning ability. These losses can have a huge impact on your life, especially if you bring in most of the income for your family.
Property Damage
If your personal property was damaged in the accident—for example, your car in a crash—you can recover the costs to repair or replace it.
Economic damages are there to make sure you aren’t left paying out of pocket for expenses someone else caused. Keeping all your documents and receipts is important so your attorney can build a strong case.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all harm has a price tag. Non-economic damages cover the pain, suffering, and emotional distress you deal with because of your injuries. These damages can be harder to measure, but are just as important.
Pain and Suffering
This is the physical pain and emotional anguish you feel from your injury. The more severe or long-lasting your injury, the higher this amount can be.
Emotional Distress
Being in an accident can be traumatic. Many people deal with anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a serious injury. Emotional distress recognizes the mental toll of the injury and the recovery process.
Diminished Quality of Life
Injuries can change your life. If you can no longer play with your kids, participate in sports, or enjoy hobbies, you may be entitled to compensation. These damages acknowledge that your quality of life may never be the same again.
Non-economic damages help make up for the personal and emotional suffering you’ve endured, even if there’s no receipt to prove it.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not available in every case. They are only awarded when the person who caused the injury acted with extreme carelessness or malice. In Oklahoma, these damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and send a message to others that this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated.
An example might be a drunk driver who causes a serious crash. If the driver’s behavior shows a reckless disregard for others’ safety, the court may decide to award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
These damages can be harder to recover, but they can make a big difference in cases involving serious misconduct or criminal behavior.
Contact an Oklahoma City Personal Injury Lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Understanding the types of damages available in an Oklahoma City personal injury case helps you know what you may be entitled to after an accident. Economic damages pay for your medical bills, lost income, and other costs. Non-economic damages cover your pain and suffering. In serious cases, punitive damages can be awarded to punish bad behavior.
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you speak with an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney, the better your chances of getting full compensation for all of your damages. Contact Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers at (405) 703-4567 to arrange a free consultation.