What are Damages?

Finder Law Serves Clients Across Jefferson City, Columbia, and Central Missouri

October 3, 2023

Personal injury cases sometimes involve significant harm & it is vital that you know what you’re legally entitled to receive in compensation for your damages. Damages that come from someone else’s negligence can vary widely and can be quite expensive- sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. By seeking compensation, you will be able to recover the costs incurred by you in the accident and it may also include payment for emotional distress. Hiring an attorney to help you through this process allows you to focus on healing and recovery while they ensure that your financial losses and pain and suffering and compensated fairly.


The first type of loss that you can be compensated for is economic damage that resulted from your injury. This includes anything of monetary value that you can prove you paid for or lost. Some examples of monetary losses include lost wages, medical bills, damage to your property, physical therapy, and mental health services.


It is almost impossible to determine the exact amount of loss when talking about pain and suffering, loss in quality of life, or emotional trauma because no proof or receipt exists. Although these things don’t have a definite value, they are important to your claim. If you are unable to do the things you enjoyed prior to your accident or do not enjoy the same quality of life, this is something that should be considered when valuing your claim.


Although rare, another type of damage exists in some cases called punitive damages. These come into play when the defendant intentionally and willfully caused the harm. The purpose is to punish the defendant for their willful negligence and this award would be added to the other two losses discussed above.


If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact Daniel Finder at Finder Law today for a free consultation. He can ensure that your case is valued correctly, and all applicable damages are considered. Mr. Finder has over 10 years of experience and will work aggressively on your behalf to fight for a fair outcome for you.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance, please contact our office directly.

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