When an injury or accident befalls a loved one or a member of your family, it’s important that you have legal advocates on your side that will fight for you every step of the way. Your lawyer will cut through the difficult jargon and legalese and explain what decisions are best for you when seeking justice against a negligent person or party.
The above is why a personal injury attorney from our firm is crucial to your case. One thing that our legal team seeks on behalf of clients are legal damages. We’d like to take a look at this right now, with special focus on the nature of compensatory damages.
About Legal Damages in General
Damages refer to monies sought in a civil lawsuit against a negligent person or party. These damages are intended to cover actual losses and to punish the liable party for acting in an irresponsible manner. There are two kinds of legal damages:
- Compensatory damages
- >Punitive damages
What are compensatory damages?
Compensatory damages are sought in order to cover actual losses experienced or damage sustained as a result of an injury accident. This could mean a whole host of things, including:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Damage to property
- Diminished earning potential
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of companionship
Examples of Compensatory Damages
There are many examples of compensatory damages. Say you are involved in a serious auto accident that leaves you paralyzed from the waist down. An auto accident attorney will seek compensatory damages in order to cover your medical expenses, the time you were unable to work, the damage to your vehicle and its contents, and the diminished earning potential you will face because you are now a paraplegic.
Should you lose a loved one in an accident of some kind, this is where the loss of companionship and funerary expenses will be factored into compensatory damages.
How Compensatory Damages Differ from Punitive Damages
By contrast, punitive damages are sought solely as a means to punish the negligent party in hopes of deterring that party from repeating such negligent actions in the future. It is not uncommon for a legal team to seek both compensatory damages and punitive damages in a lawsuit.
Determining Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages will be determined by adding up the value of actual expenses, market value of goods damaged, and predicted income loss. In terms of emotional suffering and other factors that do not have a fixed monetary value, these will be assessed using other similar civil suits as a guide
What Our Legal Team Can Do for You
No one should have to go it alone in court. The legal system is quite complex, and you need dedicated and well-trained professionals who can fight on your behalf. By partnering with our law firm, you will be able to concentrate on recover or mourning. This is peace of mind and reassurance that cannot be overstated.
Learn More About Personal Injury Lawsuits
For more information about personal injury lawsuits and how our legal team can help you achieve just compensation for any damages and losses sustained, be sure to contact our New Orleans personal injury law firm today. Our legal team looks forward to meeting with you and helping you in your time of legal need.