Damages are money compensation awarded to a person who has any past, present or future injury caused by another person. These damages typically can include medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, scars or disfigurement, loss of use of a part of the body and permanent injury. In some situations punitive damages and damages for loss of consortium may also be awarded.
No personal injury case is like another and the amount of the types of damages that may be available and the amount of damages that may be awarded are heavily dependent upon the facts of your particular case and applicable law. In addition, it is not uncommon for a jury to reach a compromise verdict on damages when there is a dispute over the cause of your injury.
Laws governing the types of damages that may be awarded in a personal injury case and the rules of evidence used to prove those damages are complex. Settling a personal injury claim before an attorney has an opportunity to carefully determine what damages may be available is not recommended.