If you suffered an injury because of the negligent behavior of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess the merits of your case and advise you on your rights and legal options.
At Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys PLLC, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping the wrongfully injured throughout Washington. We take the time to investigate the facts surrounding our clients’ injuries and work diligently to recover the maximum compensation they deserve.
What Are Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Claim?
In a personal injury claim, economic damages are the financial expenses that result from an injury. These may include:
Medical Expenses
Medical costs that result directly from the injury may be recoverable, as well as future medical bills, physical therapy, or rehabilitation costs that relate to the injury. Your health insurance may require that medical expenses be paid back from the settlement money from the at-fault party. These expenses can include:
- Doctors visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Lab work
- X-rays and diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy
- Medications and prescriptions
- Ambulatory services
- Emergency response and urgent care costs
- Travel costs for medical appointments
It is helpful to maintain accurate records of your medical bills to substantiate immediate and future costs. Keep an updated file of your medical statements, treatment and prescription receipts, diagnostic reports, and travel expenses. Your personal injury lawyer will use this evidence to substantiate your claim for economic damages.
Lost Income
If you missed work because of your injuries, you may pursue compensation for your losses. Lost income can include wages, bonuses, commissions, tips, and overtime. If you had to use paid sick time or vacation time because of your injuries, you may also claim them as lost wages because, had your injuries not occurred, you would still have those available to you.
Lost Earning Capacity
A serious, debilitating injury may prevent you from returning to work, or returning to work in the same capacity as before you were hurt. In these cases, you may also be entitled to seek damages for lost earning capacity or future income. A personal injury lawyer will evaluate your losses and seek compensation for your lost future income, if appropriate.
Lifestyle Adjustments
In cases of severe injury, lifestyle adjustments are often necessary. These can include:
- Transportation services for yourself or others in your household who are dependent on you
- Installation of wheelchair ramps or other home modifications
- Household help to complete chores and household duties and personal care
These costs can add up, especially when they are ongoing and long-term.
What Are Non-Economic Damages In a Personal Injury Claim?
While economic damages help to cover bills and expenses, the impact of a serious personal injury is more than financial. Severe, debilitating injuries affect a person’s quality of life. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the wrongfully injured for the losses that reduce their ability to enjoy life. Generally, non-economic damages can include:
Pain and Suffering
Damages for pain and suffering provide compensation for the immediate and long-term physical discomfort and emotional distress that personal injury victims endure as a result of their injuries.
Scarring and Disfigurement
If you suffered scarring or permanent disfigurement because of your injury or the surgical procedure that treated it, you may be entitled to additional compensation for the emotional harm you have suffered as a result.
Loss of Companionship, Consortium, and Society
Serious injuries can impact relationships with spouses, children, other family members, and friends. If someone else’s negligence negatively impacted your close personal relationships, others in your family may be able to make claims.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
The psychological and physical effects of a catastrophic injury can make it difficult to enjoy life at the level you once did. When this occurs, you have the right to seek damages under Washington law.
Call an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
The personal injury attorneys at Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys PLLC , have served individuals and families throughout Washington since 1972. Led by Marya Fuller, a specialist in accident and injury law, our firm has built a reputation for excellence in a range of personal injury cases.
See what our clients say about us.
Call our office today at (800) 570-4878 or reach out online for a free case evaluation. We serve clients in Olympia, Tacoma, and other areas in Washington.
