Types of Damages
What Settlement Can I Expect?
In a Kansas City personal injury lawsuit, damages are a financial award that a court gives to an individual as compensation for injuries that person has received as a result of the wrongful or negligent conduct of another. The amount of damages awarded often reflects the amount of harm the plaintiff has sustained due to the actions of the defendant.
What is the Purpose of Damages?
The purpose of damages is to "make one whole," that is, to pay the injured parties enough money so that they are restored to the position they were in prior to the accident. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident or received injuries caused by the wrongful or negligent actions of another, contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer right way. Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott will listen to what happened to you and, if warranted, will file a lawsuit against those who harmed you and help you recover full compensation for your injuries.
Types of Personal Injury Damages
There are a number of types of damage that we may be able to request for you, based upon your case. Compensatory damages are awarded as a remedy for your injuries.
Actual compensatory damages will pay you back for money that you have paid ''out of pocket'', such as:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Replacement of damaged property
General compensatory damages are things for which you have suffered a loss that you have not paid for, like emotional suffering, lost wages, future lost wages, loss of enjoyment, and damage to your marriage.
Over and above compensatory damages, the court may order that punitive damages be paid to you, if it is found that the actions of the defendant were malicious or intentional. If the actions of the defendant were found to be intentional or malicious, but there is not much evidence to prove actual damage was done, the court still has the discretion to award you nominal (a small amount) damages as a recognition that you were legally wronged.
How We Can Help
If you have been harmed by another, our caring legal team is here to help you in any way we can to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer today to pursue damages for your accident injuries.