What Are “Damages” in a Springfield Personal Injury Case?

 Posted on January 17, 2022 in Personal Injury

Whether you were hurt in a car crash, slip and fall accident, or you suffered due to negligent medical care, you have rights as an injured person. Illinois law makes it possible for you to seek financial compensation for the harm you have suffered. Personal injury claims seek to make an injured person “whole.” This is usually accomplished through monetary damages. The amount of compensation that victims can receive for damages varies based on the type of injury, the circumstances of the injury, and other factors.

Compensation for Medical Bills After an Accident

Car accidents and other types of accidents often leave victims with painful injuries that require medical treatment. Even with insurance, medical expenses can be exorbitant. Fortunately, injured people may recover compensation for their past and future medical costs resulting from an accident. If you were hurt in an incident caused by someone else’s carelessness or intentional actions, you could recover compensation for:

• Emergency room treatment
• Medical tests including x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs
• Bloodwork and other laboratory testing
• Hospitalization
• Surgery
• Medical procedures
• Ongoing care including occupational therapy and physical therapy
• Medications
• Medical devices

Compensation for Lost Income and Damage to Your Earning Capacity

Most people recovering from an injurious incident need to take time off work. Even if you took sick days, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages from missed work. If your injuries have caused long-term or permanent loss of functioning, you may also recover compensation for the impact the injuries have on your ability to work. Compensation for lost earning capacity is based on the injured person’s employment history, injuries, and disability.

Pain and Suffering Damages in an Illinois Personal Injury Case

Of course, not every consequence of an injury is financial. Injured people are often left facing extremely painful symptoms. The term “pain and suffering” is often used as a catchall term for non-financial damages. You may be entitled to compensation for your physical pain, mental anguish or suffering, and lost quality of life.

Punitive Damages Are Available in a Small Number of Cases

Most damages are designed to make the injured person whole. However, there are also damages called “punitive damages.” The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the person or entity that caused the injures. For example, a trucking company may be forced to pay punitive damages if the company repeatedly made decisions that put others at risk of injury or death.

Contact a Champaign Personal Injury Lawyer

The Springfield personal injury attorneys at Kanoski Bresney are committed to helping injured people fight for compensation. Call our skilled team at 888-826-8682 and set up a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Source:

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/illinois-pattern-jury-instructions-civil/