Idaho Law Blog
In a personal injury case there are two categories of damages: The first is commonly called “economic” damages; while the second is known as “noneconomic” damages. Both of these categories should be considered and discussed with your attorney to fully maximize the value of your case.
What are economic damages?
01. Economic damages are the compensation you receive to replace money or property you may have lost as a result of the accident. These damages include money to replace or repair your vehicle, medical bills, lost wages, money to pay household services if you can no longer do them yourself, and lost future wages. In a wrongful death case, economic damages also include funeral expenses.
What are noneconomic damages?
02. Noneconomic damages are often more difficult to assess and value in a case. These damages include such vague notions as pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, emotional and mental distress, loss of companionship or consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If I have a large injury, will I get a large award?
03. These damages are not directly related to each other, although they can be. In other words, merely because one suffers a large injury, a jury will not necessarily award a large amount of noneconomic damages. This is especially true where the injured person has had a full or complete recovery.
If my injury seems small, should I still see an attorney?
04. On the other hand, a person could suffer a relatively inexpensive injury; but because it could not be treated, a jury might award a large noneconomic award. An example of this is where a person has suffered a traumatic brain injury. Usually there is little that a physician can do to treat this type of injury and yet, due to the profound effect it often has on the injured party, large damages can be expected.
Do economic and noneconomic damages shadow each other?
05. Generally speaking, noneconomic damages roughly follow economic ones. This means that where the injury is severe and economic loss has been large, noneconomic damages will also be sizeable.
Economic and non-economic damages make up the categories by which an injured person can be compensated as a result of an accident. It is important to understand how to evaluate your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you with this process. Seek help before simply settling the matter on your own with an insurance company.