Consulting Denver Personal Injury Lawyers: Know the Different Types of Compensations

If you live in Denver, personal injury lawyers can help you get your deserved compensation for all the injuries and losses you incurred after an accident. You need to have an idea of how much and what type of compensation you’ll be getting.

Some may not be aware but you can get compensation from the person, company or organization that contributed to your losses. If you have been hurt physically or emotionally, had property damaged, or loss, you deserve the right compensation for all of these.

Two Types of Damages:

• Compensatory

Compensatory damages pay the injured party for their injuries including all kinds of damages, such as medical malpractice, auto accident, and many more. It is also given in rare wrongful death cases.

Its purpose is to help the person recover to the position they were before the accident. It can be awarded for the pain and suffering of the person.

For instance, if you can’t work because of the accident, your salary must be reimbursed. If your car was hit by another party, it must be repaired.

Different compensatory damages in a personal injury attorneys Denver case:

• Medical treatment: Medical treatments due to the accident are included in personal injury damage awards. It covers the reimbursement for the medical treatment you received due to the accident and the compensation for your treatment in the future.
• Pain and suffering: The injured person can receive compensation for the pain and suffering they experience due to the accident. It also covers the pain they will undergo after the accident.
• Loss of consortium: The family of the injured receives compensation for the impact the accident has on the relationship of the plaintiff to his or her spouse. In the case of husband and wife, the loss of sexual contact or companionship is compensated. Compensation also applies if a parent and child are involved.
• Loss of enjoyment: If the accident stops you from doing your hobbies, recreational activities, or exercise, you may receive loss of enjoyment compensation.
• Emotional distress: The injured gets compensation for the psychological impact of the accident, such as sleep loss, anxiety, and fear.
• Property loss: You can receive compensation for all the damages to your properties, such as clothing, vehicles, and home. It is usually computed based on its market value. In some cases, the amount is reimbursed.
• Income: If you are not able to work or do business due to the accident, you can receive a damage award for that. It also covers your future earnings or “loss of earning capacity.”

• Punitive

Punitive damages are different from compensatory that it doesn’t pay for the losses due to the accident. Its goal is to punish the defendant (at-fault) for their reprehensible or despicable behavior.

This type of damage is paid to the plaintiff (injured party). In some states, punitive damages have a cap or limits for personal injury cases.

Other Types of Damages:

• Wrongful Death Damages

It is awarded to the surviving family and loved ones. It can include the cost of pre-death medical care, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial contribution, loss of companionship and consortium, the emotional distress of the surviving family, and loss of services and support.

• General Compensatory Damages

It compensates the injured person for the non-monetary damages incurred. Some of the general damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium or companionship, and mental distress. 

• Special Compensatory Damages

It compensates for the monetary damages due to the accident. This is compensated to make the plaintiff feel whole again after not being able to work due to the injuries. 

It has no limits, so the plaintiff can receive any amount. It covers special damages, such as medical bills, loss of earnings, loss of future earnings, household expenses, cost of future medical care, and costs linked to canceled plans or trips.

There are instances that the amount of damages can decrease due to the injured individual’s inaction or contribution to the accident.  

• Comparative negligence: If you the injured are partially or at-fault of the accident.
• Failure to mitigate damages after the accident: Most states require the plaintiff to lessen the financial damage of the accident. If the injured person doesn’t get medical treatment following the injury, the damage award may be reduced.
• ●         Contributory negligence: If proven, you may not receive any amount of compensation if you’re proven guilty for the accident.