If a person or entity’s negligence causes an accident and subsequent injuries, victims may be able to seek compensation for various related damages. These base damages include economic and non-economic damages, along with potential wrongful death and punitive damages in certain situations.
So, what can be included in non-economic damages? Learn more about these and how they connect to a personal injury case.
What Counts Toward Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are among the different types of damages for which injury victims may recover compensation following an accident, including a car accident, slip and fall, or another type of incident resulting from another party’s negligence.
They are different from economic damages, which account for the direct financial losses associated with a personal injury case. For example, economic damages could include medical bills, loss of income and earning potential, physical rehabilitation expenses, and the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property. These all come with a specific bill, or are otherwise precisely calculated.
Meanwhile, non-economic damages apply to the personal, non-quantifiable losses that a victim suffers. These may include the following subjects, among others:
- Pain and suffering
- Trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium involving the intimacy and support of a spouse or partner
- Anxiety, depression, or other forms of psychological distress
Non-economic damages can also contribute to wrongful death damages if a victim dies because of their injuries. For instance, victims’ loved ones could recover for the above non-economic damages sustained leading up to and after the victim’s death, along with the loss of companionship that the entire family suffers in that person’s absence.
How Can You Prove Non-Economic Damages?
While economic damages are a bit easier to prove because of the financial documentation proving their nature, it’s possible to prove non-economic damages and count them toward a total settlement. Some of the evidence that could help prove these damages include:
Diaries and Journals
Victims may record their personal experiences with injuries and their psychological journey following an accident, including how the accident and injuries negatively impacted their daily life and routine.
Medical Records
In addition to helping prove economic damages, medical records could demonstrate the nature of the injury and how it could impact a person’s quality of life in the short and long term.
Witness Testimony
Friends and family could also explain their perceptions of how an injury affected a loved one’s life and ability to function on a daily basis, potentially supporting the victim’s personal account.
Although it could be harder to prove these damages than economic damages, an experienced attorney could help you gather sufficient evidence to incorporate them into a personal injury settlement.
Seek Non-Economic Damages With the Help of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris
Following an accident involving negligence, it’s important to know what can be included in non-economic damages along with others to recover total compensation. However, you will need to effectively prove non-economic damages, which can be especially challenging in these cases, and you’ll need a professional to help quantify them and include them in a settlement amount. For potential assistance with this and other aspects of a claim, it’s best to work with an attorney.
Consult with an experienced lawyer to discuss the case and find out what can be included in non-economic damages.
