What damages can I recover in a Missouri personal injury claim?

When you’ve been hurt in an accident in Missouri, you may be entitled to a variety of damages. Depending on the facts of your case, you may have the right to receive compensation from the responsible party for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Knowing what damages you can recover in a Missouri personal injury claim is an important part of understanding your legal rights.

Medical Expenses

One of the most common types of damages in a Missouri personal injury claim is medical expenses. When another party’s negligence causes an injury, they may be liable for all reasonable and necessary medical costs that resulted from that injury. This includes not only current medical bills, but also any future treatment or care that you may need as a result of the accident.

Lost Wages

If you’ve had to miss work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages in a Missouri personal injury claim. In order to do so, you must provide evidence of how much money you would have earned if it weren’t for the accident. This could include pay stubs, tax returns, or other documents that show your income prior to the accident.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate an injured person for the physical pain and emotional distress associated with their injuries. In a Missouri personal injury claim, pain and suffering damages are based on the degree of harm suffered by the plaintiff as well as any resulting limitations on their ability to enjoy life. These damages can be difficult to quantify, which is why it’s important to have experienced legal counsel advocating on your behalf.

Property Damage

In some cases, an injured person may also be able to recover compensation for property damage caused by the accident. This could include damage to a vehicle or other property that was damaged in the accident or destroyed as a result of it. In order to receive compensation for property damage in a Missouri personal injury claim, you must provide evidence that the damage was directly caused by the negligent party’s actions.

Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are intended to punish defendants for particularly reckless or malicious behavior. In Missouri, punitive damages are rarely awarded in personal injury cases because these types of damages are reserved for particularly egregious conduct by the defendant. If punitive damages are available in your case, they can help ensure that other people don’t suffer similar injuries due to similar conduct in the future.

Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium damages are intended to compensate family members who are deprived of their loved one’s companionship due to an injury caused by someone else’s negligence. These types of damages can be sought by spouses, children, and other family members who have suffered financial or emotional losses due to their loved one’s injuries.

Legal Fees
Lastly, you may be able to recover legal fees associated with pursuing your personal injury claim in Missouri. These fees can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the amount of time it takes for you to receive compensation for your injuries. It’s important to note that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless their clients win their case or reach a settlement agreement with the defendant(s).

Overall, there are many different types of damages that can be recovered in a Missouri personal injury claim depending on the facts of each individual case. It’s important to speak with an experienced attorney about your specific situation so that you can understand all potential avenues for recovery available under Missouri law