If you or a loved one have been injured in Augusta, you should understand the full scope of your damages. Damages represent the compensation you may be entitled to after an injury. They often play an important role in your recovery. In Georgia, personal injury damages are generally categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
An Augusta personal injury lawyer can fight to recover compensation for all your damages, including pain and suffering.
Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Augusta, GA
Damages in personal injury cases are generally categorized into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable. They include costs you incur after an injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. You can generally prove these damages with bills and receipts.
Non-economic damages are more complicated. They represent the subjective impact of your injuries on your life and emotional being. This means there are no bills or receipts to show their value. Instead, lawyers may use expert witnesses to prove their impact. Non-economic damages are available in nearly all personal injury cases, such ascar accidents,slip and falls, andworkplace injuries.
Understanding Non-Economic Damages in Augusta, GA
Georgia law allows judges and juries to award non-economic damages in personal injury cases. This acknowledges that injuries after an accident may be beyond your direct financial losses.
Unlike some states, Georgia does not impose a cap on non-economic damages for most personal injury cases. This means your potential compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses is not limited by statute. Instead, they will be limited only by the effect of your injuries on your life and well-being.
Examples of Non-Economic Damages in Augusta, GA
Every personal injury case is different.
Common types of non-economic damages may include the following:
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress your injuries cause.
Emotional Distress: Compensation for the mental anguish, fear, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and trauma associated with your injury.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impacts of your injury on your relationship with a spouse or partner, such as loss of companionship or affection.
Disfigurement: Compensation for injuries that cause disfigurement, such as scarring.
Reduced Quality of Life: Compensation for injuries that prevent you from engaging in activities you previously enjoyed or living as you did before the accident.
Non-economic damages can be substantial. The exact amount awarded in your case will depend on the facts, including the severity of your injuries and how long it takes you to recover. Whether your injuries are permanent will also be a critical factor. If you or a loved one have been injured, consult an Augusta personal injury lawyer about the non-economic damages available in your case.
Proving Non-Economic Damages in Augusta, GA
Proving non-economic damages can be challenging due to their subjective nature. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not come with receipts that you can point to.
Instead, an Augusta personal injury lawyer will rely on the following to support your claim:
Expert Testimony: Medical experts can explain the extent of the injuries and their effects on your life, such as chronic pain and suffering they may cause.
Personal Testimony: Lawyers will solicit personal testimony from you about the pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other impacts of your injuries on your life.
Witness Testimony: Family, friends, and colleagues may also testify about your injuries and their effect on your quality of life.
Documentation: Medical records, journals, and other documentation can record your daily challenges, pain levels, and emotional well-being after an accident.
Photographs: Photos of your injuries can help show the extent of the damage. Visualizations can help judges or juries imagine the pain and suffering that may be associated with them.
It is also essential to note that Georgia follows amodified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found to be less than 50 percent responsible for your accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. Speak with an Augusta personal injury lawyer about how comparative negligence may apply to your case.
Consult With an Augusta Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are important for compensating personal injury victims after an accident. They help ensure all aspects of your injuries are recognized, including those that are not physical or obvious, through bills and receipts. While sometimes challenging to quantify, an Augusta personal injury lawyer at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys can help you evaluate your non-economic damages and substantiate them to a judge or jury.
If you or a loved one has been injured, schedule a free initial consultation to speak with one today and learn about the damages you may be entitled to. You can call us at (706) 722-8784.