What types of damages can I recover in a personal injury claim in Kirksville, Missouri?

If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party in Kirksville, Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. A personal injury claim can help you recover monetary relief for your losses, and there are various types of damages that may be awarded. Here, we’ll explore the different kinds of damages that may be available to you if you file a personal injury claim in Kirksville, Missouri.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those which can be calculated in terms of monetary value. These are often referred to as “special damages” or “compensatory damages” and are intended to compensate the injured party for his or her financial losses. Economic damages may include:

• Medical bills: This includes any costs associated with medical care related to the injury, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

• Lost wages: If an injury leaves you unable to work for a period of time or results in a permanent disability, this type of damage seeks to reimburse you for the income you would have earned throughout that period.

• Property damage: If your personal property was damaged or destroyed as a result of the accident, such as a vehicle or clothing, this type of damage is intended to replace the item or provide reimbursement for the cost of repair.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are those which cannot be calculated in terms of monetary value because they involve subjective factors such as pain and suffering. These are also referred to as “general damages” and are intended to compensate the injured party for his or her emotional losses. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering: This includes all forms of physical pain caused by the injury, including both short-term and long-term effects. It also includes emotional suffering such as anxiety and depression caused by the injury.

• Loss of enjoyment: If an injury prevents you from participating in activities that were once enjoyable, this type of damage seeks to compensate you for your lost quality of life.

• Loss of consortium: If an injury has resulted in a diminished ability to maintain relationships with family members and friends, this type of damage seeks to provide compensation for that loss.

Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be available if it is determined that the defendant acted with gross negligence or intent to harm. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff but rather punish the defendant for their behavior and deter future similar conduct. Punitive damages are typically awarded on top of economic and non-economic damages.

In summary, if you have been injured due to another party’s negligence in Kirksville, Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim. Economic damages seek to compensate an injured party for his or her financial losses while non-economic damages seek to compensate him or her for emotional losses such as pain and suffering. In certain cases punitive damages may also be available if it is determined that the defendant acted with gross negligence or intent to harm. It is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you on whether or not you should pursue a claim and what types of compensation might be available to you if successful.