What Are Non-Economic Damages?

If you are thinking about filing a personal injury lawsuit, chances are, you’ve been online doing your research and trying to prepare yourself for what’s to come. 

One of the most important questions injury victims have is, “How much is my claim worth?”. In order to understand how your personal injury lawyer will calculate the value of your lawsuit, you need to understand your rights as a victim and accident survivor.

When someone else is responsible for causing your injuries, you have the right to be made whole. This means you should be compensated for every single way your life has been affected as a result of the incident. The compensation awarded is broken up into two distinct categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. 

Continue reading to learn more about what non-economic damages and economic damages are, what they might consist of, and how a Long Island personal injury lawyer can help.

The Value of Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages encompass all the ways your life has been affected that do not come with a price tag. Some of the more commonly sought after non-economic damages include:

• Loss of companionship and love 
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Disfigurement 
• Scarring
• Inconvenience
• Reputational damage
• Emotional distress
• Loss of guidance and support

Although these may not have set monetary values, they are some of the most impactful ways your life can be affected by an accident. Your lawyer will ensure your non-economic damages are quantified equitably.

More about Economic Damages

Economic damages are your monetary losses and the most commonly thought of when injury victims pursue civil claims. This is because financial losses can be pressing and threaten you and your family’s livelihood. Fortunately, economic damages already have a monetary value and are easier to quantify. Some might include:

• Lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Loss of benefits
• Medical expenses
• Medical equipment 
• Household expenses
• Property damage 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer on Long Island

When you have been seriously injured and someone else is at fault, you’re entitled to full compensation— not just repayment for financial losses. Get help getting the most out of your claim. 

Call an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Dennis Smith, PLLC at 212-835-1699. Or, you can complete the quick contact form we have included below to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.