As a personal injury lawyer, David Azizi recover damages due to an accident. This represents the loss an individual suffers due to his or her injuries. There are two different types of damages. One set is called economic damages and the other noneconomic damages. When it comes to a Los Angeles personal injury case, both types are often involved. It is important to understand what the difference between the types of damages is.

Noneconomic Damages

When it comes to noneconomic damages, think about the mental and physical anguish an individual goes through after being injured. Many describe this as pain and suffering. For instance, an individual may have trouble sleeping at night due to his or her injuries or the anxiety the accident caused. In other cases, the loss of an arm or a leg could curtail participating in certain activities such as sports. For others, it might mean the person can no longer share intimacy.

Noneconomic damages are caused by:

  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Shortened life
  • Inability to enjoy life
  • Emotional problems
  • Disfigurement
  • Traumatic Interference, including traumatic stress syndrome

Calculation of Noneconomic Damages

This differs from the way economic damages are calculated in that there are few guidelines due to the subjectability of a person’s reaction to an accident or injuries. In addition, it is impossible to assign a standard price to mental anguish or emotional distress. Aside from being different from one person to another, the “cost” depends on the many other variables. These may include:

  • The extent and severity of the injury
  • The length of time needed to recover
  • The extent to which the injury will persist
  • The type of disfigurement

Noneconomic Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

Noneconomic damages are common in wrongful death cases. The loss of the love and the compassion of a husband, wife, father, mother or child is considered a noneconomic damage. For instance, a father not being able to see his son graduate or a mother missing out on a 16th birthday of her daughter is something that we unfortunately see. It is very hard to place a value on this, but that is part of the job of a personal injury lawyer.

 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that reflect an easily documented amount such as wages, medical expenses or funeral expenses. A personal injury attorney can research and list any financial cost to an individual that sprang from his or her accident injuries. Future expenses also fall within this category.

 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been in a car accident, slip and fall accident or have lost a loved one in a wrongful death, please feel free to contact David Azizi and for a free consultation. Since personal injury cases are done on a contingency basis, there is never a fee until you win. You can reach us at 800-991-5292 24/7.