Suffering a serious injury in an auto accident or other incident can affect your life in many ways. Under Ohio law, you may be entitled to damages (financial compensation) if your injuries were directly caused by someone else’s negligence. The law recognizes multiple forms of personal injury damages.
There are two broad categories of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages
Economic damages are those financial losses that are easily measurable through bills and other documents. They may include the expenses you incurred or will incur for medical treatment. They may also include the costs associated with physical rehabilitation and other verifiable out of pocket expenses.
Economic damages also include wages you lost (or will lose) because of your injury, whether temporarily or permanently. You may also claim economic damages if you are still working but had to take a lower-paying job because of your injuries.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses related to the injuries you suffered. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
Ohio “caps,” or limits, non-economic damages at the greater of $250,000 or three times the amount of economic damages awarded, for a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff (for no more than $500,000 for all plaintiffs). Under certain circumstances, this cap may not apply. Please call us for details.
Some individuals other than the injured party may have claims for non-economic damages. These individuals include spouses, children, and parents, especially in wrongful death cases.
Getting a fair settlement or verdict
Obtaining fair compensation for your injuries can take time, effort and meticulous record-keeping. The best way to achieve an ideal outcome is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.
