Victims and families who suffer damages as the hands of another have the legal right to pursue a recovery of their losses by filing a personal injury claim. The main objectives behind these claims are to secure the compensation needed to reimburse victims and their loved ones of any expenses they may have incurred as a result of their injuries as well as their other non-economic damages. After tragedy strikes, most victims experience concern as to how much compensation they may be entitled to receive. Knowing that victims and families depend on full and fair compensation as they put their lives back together, our firm’s Oklahoma personal injury attorneys make every effort to closely review our clients’ cases, inform them of their rights, and explain what financial compensation they may be entitled to receive.
First and most importantly, it is crucial to understand that the value of a personal injury claim will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of a case. As every accident, injury, and case is unique, it is difficult to provide any exact number or sum without first personally analyzing all details involved in a case. Although compensation awards are personal and unique, victims and families can better understand what compensation they may be entitled to receive by understanding how courts award damages. While not all victims may be eligible to obtain the same types of damage awards, courts will generally consider the same types of factors when awarding victims compensation for their economic, non-economic, and – in some cases – punitive damages.
Economic damages are any applicable financial expenses that a victim or their family incurs as the direct result of their accident and / or injury. Medical expenses, for example, are a common example of economic damages. Depending on the severity of an injury, the treatment required, and the expected costs of future medical care, courts will tailor compensation based on these factors. Additionally, economic damages may include compensation for a victim’s lost work wages and lost future earnings, the costs of any psychological treatment they may need, the lost financial support of a family whose loved one has passed, and any funeral expenses paid by a family whose loved one suffered a wrongful death.
Non-economic damages are slightly more difficult to equate into monetary sums. Typically, courts will consider a number of circumstances when determining compensation for a victim’s non-economic damages. These factors may include their pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment or quality of life, and other emotional damages. In some cases, especially in the event of a catastrophic injury or wrongful death, courts may also consider the emotional and psychological damages endured by a victim’s family when awarding compensation. These factors may include a family’s loss of companionship and emotional support, their loss of enjoyment or quality of life, and their grief and mental anguish, among others.
In some cases, by not all, courts may also award another form of compensation known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are typically reserved for cases in which an at-fault party caused harm as the result of a grossly negligent action or as the result of intentional misconduct. When it can be shown that a defendant acted in an extremely negligent fashion, courts may award punitive damages so as to further punish the wrongdoer, deter others from committing similar acts, and provide victims with additional compensation. Not all cases award punitive damages, and our legal team can help you understand if you are eligible to receive this form of compensation after reviewing your case.
At AMA Law, our Oklahoma personal injury lawyers make it our mission to protect the rights of our clients and to fight for the maximum compensation possible. We know that victims and families face tremendous personal and financial struggles during these difficult experiences and we strive to set them at ease by handling all aspects of their personal injury claim. When you reach out to our firm for help, you can be confident that caring and experienced attorneys are prepared to thoroughly review your case, inform you of the potential value of your claim, and fight aggressively on your behalf. Discuss your case personally with an Oklahoma personal injury attorney by contacting AMA Law today.