What damages can be recovered in a Missouri personal injury claim?

For many people, the thought of being involved in a personal injury case is overwhelming. Even if you know that you have a valid claim, it can be difficult to understand what types of damages you may be entitled to receive if your case is successful. In Missouri, the law allows for victims of personal injury accidents to recover both economic and non-economic damages. In this article, we will discuss what types of damages can be recovered in a Missouri personal injury claim.

Economic Damages

The most common type of damages awarded in a Missouri personal injury claim are economic damages. These damages are intended to compensate the injured party for their financial losses related to the accident. Examples of economic damages include:

Medical Expenses: If you were injured as a result of another’s negligence, you may be able to recover the cost of medical treatment associated with your injuries. This includes things like hospital visits, medications, physical therapy, and other medical expenses.

Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working and earning an income, you may be able to recover lost wages from the responsible party. Lost wages includes not only your salary but also any bonuses or commissions that you would have received had you not been injured.

Property Damage: In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, you may also be able to recover compensation for property damage caused by the accident. This could include things like damage to your vehicle or replacement costs for any items that were destroyed during the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

In addition to economic damages, you may also be eligible for non-economic damages in a Missouri personal injury claim. These types of damages are meant to compensate the victim for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life due to their injuries. Examples of non-economic damages include:

Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering is one of the most common types of non-economic damages awarded in a Missouri personal injury claim. Pain and suffering includes both physical pain as well as mental anguish caused by the accident.

Emotional Distress: Emotional distress can also be recovered in a Missouri personal injury claim if it can be proven that the accident caused significant emotional harm or mental anguish for the victim. Examples could include depression or anxiety due to an inability to work or participate in activities that they previously enjoyed prior to their injuries.

Loss of Quality of Life: Loss of quality of life is another type of non-economic damage that may be awarded in a Missouri personal injury claim. This type of damage is intended to compensate the victim for any changes in their lifestyle resulting from their injuries. This could include things like an inability to participate in activities they once enjoyed or reduced mobility due to their injuries.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, victims may also be eligible for punitive damages in a Missouri personal injury claim. Punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent party for their actions and are typically only awarded when it can be proven that they acted with reckless disregard for others’ safety or with malicious intent. Punitive damages are generally only awarded in extreme cases where there was intentional wrongdoing on behalf of the responsible party or where their behavior was especially egregious.

Conclusion

Overall, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be eligible for both economic and non-economic compensation through a Missouri personal injury claim. Economic damages are intended to cover financial losses such as medical expenses and lost wages while non-economic damages provide compensation for pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses associated with the accident. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available if there was intentional wrongdoing on behalf of the negligent party or if their behavior was especially egregious. Ultimately, each case is unique so it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can help evaluate your case and determine what types of compensation you may be eligible for based on your individual circumstances