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

Personal Injury Law in Richmond, Missouri: What Damages Can I Recover?

When it comes to personal injury law, it’s important to understand the various types of damages you can recover in a claim. The legal system in Richmond, Missouri, is no different. Whether you’re injured on someone else’s property or involved in a car accident, knowing what damages you can recover can help you maximize your settlement amount and secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

In Richmond, Missouri, personal injury claims are typically based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence means that another party failed to act with reasonable care, resulting in injury to you. If your injury was a result of someone else’s negligence, then you may be able to make a claim for damages.

There are two main types of damages you can recover in a personal injury claim: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those that compensate for easily quantifiable losses such as lost wages, medical bills, and property damage. Non-economic damages are those that compensate for more subjective losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The most common type of economic damages recovered in personal injury claims are compensatory damages. These are designed to make up for the actual losses you have suffered as a result of your injury. This includes things like lost wages due to an inability to work; medical bills related to your injury; and any property damage caused by the incident. In some cases, these damages also include future losses you might suffer as a direct result of your injuries.

In addition to compensatory damages, there are also punitive damages available in some cases. Punitive damages are awarded when the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious or reckless. These damages serve both to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct from occurring in the future. However, punitive damages are much less common than compensatory damages and must be proven through clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with actual malice or gross negligence.

Non-economic damages cover more subjective losses such as pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by the incident and resulting injuries. These damages can be difficult to calculate since they do not have a specific dollar value associated with them. However, courts use various factors such as the nature and extent of your injuries; how long it took for you to recover; and how the injury has impacted your ability to work or enjoy hobbies or other activities normally enjoyed before the incident occurred.

Finally, there may also be additional types of damages available depending on the specific facts of your case. For example, if you were injured due to someone else’s intentional conduct – such as an assault – then you may be able to recover punitive damages as well as compensatory and non-economic damages. Additionally, if another party acted willfully or wantonly during the incident then they may be found liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). In these instances, courts may award additional compensation for mental anguish above what would normally be available through general compensatory or non-economic damage awards.

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Richmond, Missouri it is important that you understand what types of damages you may be entitled to recover through a personal injury claim. Knowing what types of economic and non-economic damages are available can help ensure that your settlement amount is maximized so that you can receive full compensation for all costs associated with your injuries – both past and future.