Personal Injury Claims In Florida: Non-Economic Damages
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 40 million Americans seek emergency medical attention for injuries each year. If you were injured because of the careless or reckless conduct of another party, you can hold them liable for your damages.
Damages are about more than just out-of-pocket losses. You have a right to seek compensation for non-economic damages as well. Here, our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers provide an in depth guide to the key things that you need to know about non-economic damages in Florida.
What are Non-Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Claim?
Non-economic damages refer to the losses and harm a person experiences in a personal injury claim that are not directly tied to financial losses. These damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship or consortium. They are in contrast to tangible, out-of-pocket losses, such as medical bills and lost wages.
The Challenge: How to Value Non-Economic Damages
One of the greatest challenges in a personal injury case is how to value non-economic damages. Unlike economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, non-economic damages cannot be easily quantified using a dollar amount. As you may already expect, defendants and insurance companies try to gain an advantage from the inherent ambiguity. In personal injury claims, these parties attempt to pay out as little as possible for non-economic damages.
To value non-economic damages, attorneys often turn to a variety of methods. One common approach is to use the “multiplier method,” in which the economic damages are multiplied by a certain factor to account for the non-economic damages. Indeed, your economic losses will generally form the basis of your claim. By establishing a clear foundation of economic damages, you will be in a better position to recover full and fair compensation for your non-economic damages.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Will Help You Maximize Your Recovery for Non-Economic Damages
Personal injury claims are complicated, especially if you have sustained a significant amount of non-economic damages. Do not take on defendants or insurers alone. A top-rated South Florida personal injury lawyer skilled attorney will work to maximize your recovery by building a strong case, negotiating with insurance companies, and, if needed, representing you in court. Our firm goes above and beyond to ensure that our clients receive the maximum financial compensation, including for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability.
Consult With Our South Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we fight tirelessly to help victims and families get justice. If you have any questions about recovering compensation for non-economic damages in a personal injury claim, our legal team is here to help. Contact us now for a no cost, no obligation review of your case. With a law office in West Palm Beach, we handle personal injury claims throughout South Florida, including in Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Gables, Wellington, Miami, and Hialeah.
Source:
cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm
