Accident Injury Lawyer Lakeland, FL
When someone has injured you, you should seek help from a reputable accident injury lawyer in Lakeland, FL from David & Philpot, P.L. One of the most important things for anyone considering filing a personal injury lawsuit is damages. Damages are what determine how much the defendant must compensate you if you win the case. It can be very beneficial to think about what damages you will sue for, which will determine how much you might win. This can give you a better idea of whether or not it is worth it to go through the trouble of a lawsuit. If you were in a car accident, for example, our car accident lawyer Lakeland, FL relies on knows the different types of damages that you should be compensated for. There are three types of damages, and you should understand the differences between them before you file.
Special Compensatory Damages
Despite the name, special compensatory damages are the most basic of the three. They refer to financial suffering. Essentially, if you lost an amount of money as a result of your injury, then you can file it as a special compensatory damage and potentially be compensated for that exact amount. An accident injury lawyer Lakeland, Florida victims count on knows that an easy way to tell if a damage falls into this category is to consider its monetary value. If it has an objective value, it falls into this category. Common examples include:
- Medical bill
- Medical equipment purchase
- Medicine purchase
- Lost wages
- Damage to property
- Loss of earning ability
General Compensatory Damages
General compensatory damages refer to non-financial suffering. For example, if you went through a painful medical procedure, you could potentially be compensated for that experience. Because general compensatory damages do not have a monetary value by their very nature, the judge will be the one to assign a value to them. If you cannot say what a damage’s value is without simply pulling a number out of the air, it probably falls into this category. Common examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional turmoil
- Loss of ability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Punitive Damages
Finally, punitive damages are the third type, although they are very different from the first two categories. Punitive damages are only assigned by the judge, and only if he or she determines that the defendant needs additional punishment. Because personal injury suits are usually over accident injury, a Lakeland, FL accident injury lawyer knows that extra punishment is rarely necessary. However, if your case involves intentional injury or especially irresponsible behavior, then punitive damages might be a possibility. For example, it is very common for punitive damages to be assigned in personal injury cases involving drunk drivers.
Call a Lakeland, Florida Accident Injury Lawyer from David & Philpot, P.L. For Help!
Determining the value of your case all comes down to understanding general, special, and punitive damages. An attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can help you get a better estimate of the value of your damages. Speak with an accident injury lawyer in Lakeland, FL from David & Philpot, P.L. today!