Have you been injured due to another person or party’s negligence or wrongful act? If so, you may have the right to recover compensation for your losses. Usually, compensation for a personal injury claim usually covers things like pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills.
Keep in mind, though, that personal injury laws can be challenging and complex in Connecticut. Because of this, it’s best to contact our legal team at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers. We have years of experience defending accident victims and helping them recover the compensation they deserve.
Understanding Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Your Personal Injury Claim
For Connecticut personal injury claims, the types of damages you can potentially recover include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Each of these has a specific purpose in these cases.
Sometimes, economic damages are called special damages, while non-economic damages are referred to as general damages. Both fall under the compensatory damages umbrella.
Compensatory damages are paid to recoup your losses, injuries, or any harm caused by the at-fault party’s negligence that resulted in harm, injury, or losses. These damages can be given in a negligence claim filed based on tort law rules. Because of this, it may also be referred to as tort damages.
A personal injury case that is based on someone’s negligence usually awards both economic and non-economic damages. However, the third option, punitive damages, will only be given in more serious accident cases.
Compensatory Damages Defined
Before moving on, you need to understand the bigger concept of damages and what will be included in the compensation the plaintiff receives.
The damages provided in a personal injury case are called monetary damages. These consist of material, typically monetary compensation, that is given to the injured party after filing a lawsuit and will be paid by the at-fault party. Put simply; these damages are the total amount of money that the law provides if there is a breach of a duty or a violation of a right by the liable party to the victim (injured party).
The purpose for awarding damages varies based on the circumstances of the case and how liable the at-fault party is. Sometimes, it is intended as a type of restitution, used as a penalty, or both. For example, with compensatory damages (just as the name implies), the goal is to provide restitution to help compensate the injured party for their losses and injuries. With these, the at-fault party must pay the injured party for tangible physical or monetary losses that are experienced.
Punitive Damages Defined
The other type of damages you can receive in a personal injury case is punitive damages. Sometimes these are called exemplary damages because they are designed to be a penalty. With punitive damages, the goal is to penalize and punish the at-fault party for the negligence or wrongful act and to reduce the likelihood of the same behavior by the at-fault party and others down the road.
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How to Recover Damages for Your Personal Injury Case
As the plaintiff, if you want to recover damages, you must prove you experienced a certain type of recognized harm, such as physical injuries or property damage in the accident. The defendant’s breach and failure to follow reasonable care must result in real damages to the accident victim.
Proving negligence in a personal injury claim successfully can be challenging. This is because it is necessary for the plaintiff to show proof of the negligence and harm they suffered because of the defendants’ negligence. Due to how complex and confusing these cases can be, it is best to utilize the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help build a case that will ensure you receive the deserved amount of compensation.
Why You Shouldn’t Pursue Your Personal Injury Claim without Legal Representation
It’s never a good idea to try to pursue your personal injury claim without the help of an experienced attorney. Our legal team has the experience and ability to help you recover the needed compensation from your claim. We will also ensure the amount offered is fair.
We are ready to help you with your legal situation and ensure you get the compensation deserved. The first step is to contact our legal team and talk to them about your case. We offer a free consultation to potential new clients to ensure we are a good fit for your case. Once we know the facts, we can get to work on your case.
