What kind of compensation can I receive for a personal injury claim in Missouri?
Every year, thousands of people in Missouri suffer personal injuries due to the negligence of others. Whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, or medical malpractice, if another person’s careless behavior is responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to compensation. But what kind of compensation can you expect from a personal injury claim in Missouri?
Under Missouri law, those who are injured due to another’s negligence have the right to seek economic and non-economic damages for their injuries. Economic damages are intended to compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the injury. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate for intangible losses such as pain and suffering.
When it comes to economic damages, the most common type of compensation is medical expenses. This includes any costs associated with treating your injury including hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and assistive devices like crutches or wheelchairs. If you were unable to work due to your injury, you may also be able to recover any lost wages incurred during your recovery period. Additionally, if your injury has left you with permanent disabilities that limit your ability to earn a living in the future, you may be able to receive compensation for future lost wages as well.
In addition to economic damages, Missouri law also allows those who have been injured due to another’s negligence to seek non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. These types of damages are much more difficult to calculate than economic damages since there is no set formula for determining them. In general, courts will consider factors such as the severity of the injury, the length of time it took for the victim to recover from their injuries (if at all), and any other factors that may have contributed to their suffering.
When filing a personal injury claim in Missouri, it is important that you understand all of the potential types of compensation that may be available. Understanding how each type of damage works can help ensure that you get the maximum amount possible for your claim. If you are unsure of what kind of compensation you may be entitled to under Missouri law, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help make sure that all of your rights are protected.