4 Types of Personal Injury Compensation in a Lawsuit

There are various types of personal injury compensation that you may receive if you are in an accident in addition to reimbursement for your medical expenses.Serious injuries from an accident don’t always make themselves evident at the time of the accident. Delayed symptoms can develop hours, days, or even weeks later. Therefore, it’s important to never let yourself be rushed into signing anything or accepting a settlement.

Types of Personal Injury Compensation

Once you’ve determined the full extent of the damage, make sure you receive all the compensation to which you’re entitled. Here are four different types of personal injury compensation you can seek:

#1 EXPENSES RELATED TO MEDICAL TREATMENT

Of course, your first order of business after a car accident is to be seen by your doctor as soon as possible. Even if you were transported to the emergency room, get in to see your primary care physician, who can then refer you to specialists for further treatment.

Keep track of all your expenses, because you may be eligible to receive compensation for services such as:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Psychological counseling
  • Visits to orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, internists, and more
  • Durable medical equipment such as hospital bed rental
  • Crutches, joint braces, compression wraps, heating pads, and more
  • Surgery to correct or lessen permanent scars
  • Home visits by nurses and therapists

In the event of a death, the family of the deceased may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses.

#2 PAIN AND SUFFERING

Those suffering serious injuries from car accidents must often cope with physical and emotional pain long after the initial healing has taken place. Even at the time of settlement, remember to have your attorney include compensation for future pain and suffering. Requirements to receive this type of compensation vary from state to state, so make sure you understand how to get what you deserve.

Pain and suffering can be defined as:

  • Physical pain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression or loss of enjoyment of life
  • Post-traumatic stress

#3 JOB/WAGES LOSS

Serious injuries from car accidents can cause much more than a few days off work while cuts and bruises fade. You might experience:

  • Lost wages due to frequent treatments and therapy appointments
  • Inability to perform the same job duties due to pain and disability
  • Loss of a job because of a permanent disability

Your age, skill set, experience level, type of job, and life expectancy also factor into the court’s calculations.

#4 DAMAGE TO RELATIONSHIPS

Serious injuries from car accidents affect more than just you directly. Your family could suffer as well. In “law-speak,” this is referred to as “loss of companionship,” “loss of affection,” or “loss of consortium.” Again, your attorney can explain the variety of factors that determine whether you or your spouse (or extended family) are eligible for compensation. A spouse can be affected in a number of ways:

  • Loss of physical and emotional intimacy
  • The loss of housing due to the victim’s lost income
  • Loss of the victim altogether in the event of a death

Are you or your family members victims of serious injuries from an accident? Let us help you sort through your options. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney today!

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