If you have found yourself injured in a personal injury accident that could have been prevented, then you will want to understand your rights as a victim and file your claim as soon as possible. The legal term for a personal Injury compensation is known as damages. It is important that you find a good lawyer to represent your rights and help you navigate the legal arena. Before you file your claim for a personal injury lawsuit, here are some important facts you should know about damages. Damages are normally broken down into two categories: punitive and compensatory.
• Compensatory damages make the injured person whole again if possible. So, it covers out-of-pocket expenses for medical bills that you have accumulated.
• Punitive damages punish the person or the organization that is responsible for causing harm. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the person or organization that caused harm.
Two Types of Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are meant to compensate the person who was injured so they can feel whole again. There are two different types of compensatory damages: special and general.
Special damages allow a plaintiff to be paid back for their expenses they have had to pay due to their Injuries. Special damages can also pay for:
• Medical bills past, present, and future
• Loss of Income past, present, and future
• Repair or replace your damaged property
• Household services while recovering
General damages are not as easy to win. This type of damages is meant to compensate plaintiffs for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. General damages can also pay for:
• Physical disability or disfigurement
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages. These damages are meant to punish the defendant(s) for bad behavior. Some states will limit the cases involving Intentional misconduct, such as sexual assault or aggravated battery.
How to Collect Damages
If your injury lawyer in Calgary has reached a settlement with an insurance company, the process will be started soon. You will need to sign a release and the check will come to you. Insurance companies will normally pay a settlement without too much hesitation or hassle.
If you have received a court award after a trial, collecting the money that is owed to you can be complicated to collect. In some cases, you may need to wait while the other side tries to appeal.
In some cases, defendants may not be able to pay or they may not be willing to. An attorney can represent you and collect the compensation awarded to you by placing property liens and/or garnishing wages to settle the amount.