If you have suffered an injury that was not your fault, you may face hefty medical expenses that you cannot afford and be stuck in a hospital bed, preventing you from earning a living due to your injuries. Fortunately, in Maryland, individuals injured due to another party’s negligence have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses. Even though victims know their right to seek compensation for damages, they may not be aware of the specific types of compensation available in a personal injury lawsuit. Please continue reading to learn what kinds of compensation you can seek in a personal injury lawsuit, and discover how our experienced Prince George’s County Personal Injury Lawyers can help you secure the rightful compensation you deserve.
What types of compensation could you be entitled to when filing a personal injury claim in Maryland?
When filing a personal injury claim, you can seek monetary compensation for your damages. Generally, damages are broken down into two categories: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse victims for their objective and subjective losses, while punitive damages punish those found grossly negligent. Compensatory damages are classified under the following categories:
- Special damages: Special, also known as economic damages, refer to tangible financial losses. Essentially, these damages are quantifiable. There are several types of economic damages. The most common include but are not limited to the following:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Household services
- Property damage
- General damages: General, also known as non-economic damages, refer to intangible non-monetary losses. Some of the most common types of non-economic damages include but are not limited to the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Ultimately, if your personal injury lawsuit is successful, you will likely be able to recover monetary compensation for your compensatory damages. However, punitive damages are rarely awarded in personal injury lawsuits as they are not intended to compensate victims for their losses. Instead, punitive damages are used to punish those that are found grossly negligent. An individual is grossly negligent when they show a severe disregard for the safety and lives of others. The court awards punitive damages to deter reckless actions motivated by malice.
Calculating the value of your claim and navigating this complex legal process alone can be pretty challenging. You do not have to go through this difficult time alone. Allow a skilled Prince George’s County personal injury lawyer from the legal team at Timian & Fawcett, LLC, to represent your interests to maximize your chances of recovering reasonable compensation for your damages.