Farrow & Pulice P.A.

Different Types of Damages that Can Be Claimed in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits strive to obtain financial compensation, also called damages, for the plaintiff in order to make up for the injuries and other effects he suffered from his accident. Three types of damages are available: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic
Economic damages compensate for costs that can be objectively expressed in financial terms. This can include medical bills, lost wages after the accident, or the cost of hiring someone to help around the house. In addition to what you have already paid, you can also receive compensation for future costs. If you will require continuing medical treatment, you can receive damages to pay for it. If you will be unable to work, or unable to work as much as you could before your injury, you can also receive damages to compensate for this. Plaintiffs will usually receive full compensation for these losses, even if that requires very large awards.

Non-Economic
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses that cannot be verified in monetary terms, like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of companionship, and other factors that affect quality of life. In some states, awards for non-economic losses are capped, usually at less than one million dollars, in an effort to prevent plaintiffs from becoming wealthy from these awards. This idea of tort reform is controversial, and not all states have adopted it.

Punitive
As opposed to economic and non-economic losses, which are meant to compensate a plaintiff for his losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious negligence. These damages are not awarded in every case, but they are common in claims against corporations or institutions, where they are intended to act as a deterrent against companies acting similarly in the future.

If you’ve been injured or been in an accident, you deserve compensation for all the ways your life has been altered. To discuss the damages you may be eligible to receive, call (941) 225-2359 to speak to a personal injury attorney at Farrow & Pulice P.A. today.

To Learn More About Florida Auto Accident Injury Laws, Follow These Links

Deciding what to do after an auto accident can be confusing and difficult. At Farrow & Pulice P.A., we offer free legal consultations with top-notch personal injury lawyers at any of our six Sarasota-area locations. Call us today at (941) 225-2359 to set up an appointment.

• Learn more about the legal theory behind establishing liability, including negligence, in an auto accident from Harvard’s law website.
• For a complete document on Florida’s no-fault law published for the Florida Senate by the Committee on Banking and Insurance, visit this webpage.
• Visit Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ helpful questions and answers page to understand more about the no-fault motor vehicle law.
• Take a look at this Bankrate article for help understanding no-fault insurance.

What's Involved in a Personal Injury Trial?

If you are entering a personal injury lawsuit, you may not know what to expect during the process. Your accident attorney will give you all the information, tips, and advice you need for success in being fairly compensated.

This short video from LawInfo.com offers an overview of what to expect from the moment you decide to file a lawsuit. While your personal injury attorney will help every step of the way, it’s important to understand the process of filing a lawsuit and reaching a settlement.

At Farrow & Pulice P.A., our attorneys offer free consultations and expert guidance through every step of an auto accident injury case. Call us at (941) 225-2359 to set up an appointment at one of our six Sarasota-area locations.

Know Florida's Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law

If you’ve been in a car accident, you know the pain and suffering it can cause you and your family. As a resident of the Sarasota area, it’s important to understand how Florida’s no-fault insurance law affects your options after an auto accident. If you have any questions, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced Sarasota-area personal injury or car accident attorney with any questions.

What Is Florida’s No-Fault Law?
Florida was the first state to establish a no-fault motor vehicle law in 1971. The law basically states that drivers have and use their own insurance for personal property and injury damages caused by an accident, regardless of who was at fault. It pays for the insured’s medical bills and lost income up to a certain, pre-set limit. It does not cover other losses like emotional distress, lost opportunity, pain and suffering, or inconvenience.

Under What Circumstances Can I File a Lawsuit?
If an accident causes no bodily injury, it is processed under Florida’s no-fault law and the responsible party can’t be sued for damages not covered by the victim’s insurance. If you are injured in an accident in Sarasota or anywhere in the State of Florida, you have every right to hire a personal auto accident injury lawyer to seek the compensation you deserve.

If I’m Not Sure I Should Sue, What Should I Do?
If you’re a Sarasota-area resident unsure whether Florida’s no-fault law matters in your car accident, talk to a personal injury attorney right away. Farrow & Pulice P.A. offers free, informative consultations to anyone in need of legal advice following a car accident.

The person responsible for the physical and mental pain caused by a car accident should always be held accountable. Call Farrow & Pulice P.A. today at (941) 225-2359 to set up an appointment at one of our six convenient Sarasota-area locations, and rest assured that an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.