You go through a great deal when you’re hurt in an accident. It is not simply the cash you lose or the medical bills you pay. Some losses are deeper. They impact the way you feel, the way you live, and how content you are. These are losses that are called non-economic. If you’re considering a personal injury claim, you should know what non-economic losses are and how they can impact your case.
Things you can’t measure with money are non-economic losses. They’re the emotional, mental, and personal issues you have following an accident. Examples of non-economic damages consist of pain and suffering, psychological distress, and diminished enjoyment of life. These are real losses, although they do not have a price attached like a hospital bill.
What are the Types of Non-Economic Losses?
Some common types of non-economic losses you can claim include:
1. Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering is probably the most common non-economic loss. In case you have been in an accident, you are aware that the pain does not cease once you leave the hospital. You might have lasting pain that affects your daily life. It may be emotional or physical pain. In a personal injury claim, you might seek money to cover your suffering and pain.
2. Emotional Distress
Accidents can cause emotional scars. You could be anxious, scared, depressed, or angry after your injury. Sometimes, people develop serious problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and you can seek emotional distress compensation.
3. Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Imagine you enjoyed playing sports, hiking, or dancing before your accident. Now, you cannot do those things because of your injuries. That’s an enormous loss. It’s about losing what made your life special – the joy and happiness. This is a loss of enjoyment of life and is a non-economic loss.
4. Loss of Companionship
Sometimes, injuries change your relationships. You might not get to spend time with your family as you used to. Your injury could make it tough to be near your partner or kids. Sometimes, your family members can also file for what they lost because of your injury. This is called loss of companionship/loss of consortium.
5. Disfigurement and Scarring
If your accident scars you or changes your appearance, it may affect your confidence and happiness. Disfigurement is a real non-economic loss. It impacts the way you think about yourself and the way you relate to the world.
How Do Non-Economic Losses Get Calculated?
You might wonder how anyone could put a number on pain or lost happiness. It ain’t easy. Lawyers and insurance companies typically look at how significant your injury is, how long it is going to affect you, and how much it’s changed your life. They may also consider cases like yours to determine what an appropriate amount would be.
Sometimes, non-economic damages are figured out as a multiple of your economic damages (like your medical and treatment bills). Other times, it uses a daily rate to estimate how much your suffering is worth over time.
Final Thoughts
In case you are considering making a personal injury claim, speak to a lawyer. Non-economic losses tend to be tough to explain and even tougher to prove. A good attorney will help you show how the accident changed your life. They can even ensure you will get what you deserve. Fair compensation for your noneconomic losses can help you heal and move on. Remember, your pain, feelings, and lost joys are real, and these things matter for a healthy life.
