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

When most people think of a personal injury claim, they think of medical bills and other costs related to the injury. However, in Missouri, there are actually a wide variety of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury claim. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, injured parties may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that are considered quantifiable losses such as medical bills and lost wages due to an inability to work. In Missouri, economic damages in a personal injury claim can include:

Medical Expenses: These include any medical expenses associated with the injury, such as doctor’s visits, hospital bills, medication costs, and physical therapy fees.

Lost Wages: If an injured party is unable to return to work due to the effects of their injury, they may be entitled to compensation for any wages lost during their recovery period.

Property Damage: If any property was damaged during the accident, the injured party may be able to recover compensation for any repair or replacement costs associated with it.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective losses that cannot necessarily be quantified. In Missouri, non-economic damages in a personal injury claim can include:

Pain and Suffering: This is generally calculated based on the severity and duration of an individual’s pain and suffering resulting from an injury.

Emotional Distress: If an individual experiences emotional distress due to an injury, they may be eligible for compensation. This includes things like anxiety, depression, and mental anguish caused by the accident.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If an individual’s ability to enjoy life has been affected by their injury (due to limitations in activities they used to enjoy), they may be eligible for compensation for this loss.

Punitive Damages

In certain cases, punitive damages may also be available in a personal injury claim in Missouri. Punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoers for particularly egregious behavior or negligence that resulted in an individual’s injuries. These types of damages are not awarded very often and must meet certain criteria before being awarded by a court.

In Summary
In Missouri, there are a variety of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury claim including economic and non-economic damages as well as punitive damages in certain cases. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage while non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. It is important for individuals who have been injured due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing to understand their rights so that they can pursue their claim effectively and seek the full compensation they deserve for their losses.