Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases

Bill Allen | May 1, 2016 | Central Florida Personal Injury Lawyer

After sustaining injuries from an accident – whether it be a car accident, slip and fall accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian accident – you have a right to take legal action and pursue justice in the form of compensation. Depending on your claim and the circumstances of your case, there are a number of different types of compensation, also referred to as damages, you may be able to recover.

Special Damages

These types of compensatory damages aim to cover any expenses that are a direct result of the injury you sustained. Special damages are unique to each individual case — since each injury is different, the damages you claim will be different than what someone else will claim. Some common types of special damages can include medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and the cost of any future or long-term medical attention your injuries may require.

General Damages

Damages that cannot be exactly calculated or quantified are considered general damages. Pain and suffering and loss of companionship are two of the most common types of general damages. The purpose of general damages is to offer compensatory relief for the harm that is “generally” associated with being injured in an accident.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are not guaranteed to be awarded in every personal injury case – only in cases where a defendant acted in a way that is considered shameful and malicious. The purpose of punitive damages is to serve as a punishment and send a message to the defendant that his or her acts are not tolerated under any circumstances.

At Allen Law Firm, P.A., our Gainesville injury attorneys have almost 200 years of combined legal experience. When life hands you the unexpected, we work to help you regain control of your life. When you hire our services, you can rest assure that you have a trusted legal advocate on your side.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258