Personal Injury Case – What Damages Are Typically Awarded?

The premise of filing a personal injury case in a civil court of law is to seek fair compensation for an injury caused by intentional or negligent intent.  Most damages awarded are sought to be competent and are generally not punitive in nature.  As no criminal charges can be brought in a civil case, the damages awarded are not based on a guilty or not-guilty plea, but rather a determination of who is at fault and to what degree responsibility should be placed.

Most Common Damages Awarded in a Personal Injury Case

Damages awarded hinge on the other party being at fault.  Once the degree of fault has been assigned, the amount of damages awarded is in proportion to the damages received.  The exception is in emotional pain and suffering, which tends to err on the subjective side.  Common compensation includes:

• Lost wages from employment time missed from injury and post-accident medical treatments
• Permanent disability or disfigurement compensation
• Medical expenses paid, current or future expected expenses caused by the injury
• Loss of consortium, meaning a loss in family relationships, particularly marriage, in the event the role of one member is greatly affected, including wrongful death.
• Added costs associated with the sustained injury, such as hiring lawn care specialists and house cleaners to do the jobs you can no longer perform yourself.
• Emotional pain and suffering, including a mental health condition brought about since the injury.
• Property loss

Paying for a Personal Injury Attorney

In most cases, the attorney fees are taken out of the settlement at the end of a case.  A Melbourne area attorney who specializes in personal injury should consult with you about your case to determine a fair fee, usually a small percentage of the awarded settlement prior to filing a claim.  Many attorneys will also offer a no recovery – no fee service, meaning if you do not recover damages, they will not get paid.  There is nothing to lose to have a personal injury attorney take a look at your case.

Common Melbourne, FL Personal Injury Cases

• Dog bites
• Auto and motorcycle accidents
• ATV accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Commercial trucking accidents
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Nursing home neglect/abuse
• Defective parts
• Pedestrian/bicycle accidents
• Watercraft/drowning accidents

After a personal injury, it can be hard to pick life back up and continue on.  There is much loss involved, not just finances, but health, family, and confidence.  By allowing a Brevard County attorney to handle your case, you can know someone is looking out for your best interests and upholding your rights to fair compensation.