What compensation can I receive for a personal injury in Missouri?

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligence of another person, company, or organization in Missouri, you might be wondering what types of compensation you could receive. Personal injury cases can be complex and require the skill of an experienced attorney to navigate them successfully. Knowing the types of compensation that may be available can help you make decisions about pursuing a claim.

Compensation for personal injuries in Missouri is divided into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are intended to compensate the victim for any financial losses they have suffered due to their injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the emotional and psychological pain and suffering that resulted from the injury. The amount of compensation available will depend on the facts of each individual case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are designed to cover any financial losses that resulted from the injury. This could include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any other expenses related to the injury. It could also include future lost wages if your injury prevents you from returning to work or earning as much as you would have before the incident occurred. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless. These are designed to punish bad behavior and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate victims for any emotional or psychological harm they experienced as a result of their injury. This could include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses. These types of damages can be difficult to quantify because they do not have a specific dollar value attached to them. However, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine an appropriate amount for your claim.

Missouri’s Statute of Limitations

It is important to keep in mind that there is a time limit within which a personal injury claim must be filed in Missouri. This is known as the “statute of limitations” and it varies depending on the type of claim being pursued. Generally speaking, most personal injury claims must be filed within five years from the date that the injury occurred or five years from when it should have reasonably been discovered (whichever comes first). If a claim is not filed within this time frame, it will likely be barred by the statute of limitations and you will not be able to pursue legal action against the responsible party.

Getting Help with Your Claim

Personal injury cases can be complex and require a great deal of knowledge and experience in order to navigate them successfully. If you or someone you love has been injured due to another person’s negligence in Missouri, it is important that you seek out an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you on your rights and help you determine what type of compensation may be available to you under Missouri law. With their help, you can ensure that your rights are protected throughout every step of this process so that you can get the justice—and compensation—you deserve.