In a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff is trying to hold the defendant responsible for damage caused by reckless or malicious behavior. The basic principle of personal injury law is that when you harm someone, you should try to restore that person to the level of financial success and personal health they enjoyed before the injury. Courts enforce this principle by making liable parties pay damages, or financial compensation, to plaintiffs.
There are several different kinds of damages a defendant may be ordered to pay, depending on the details of the case. These damages are divided into two basic categories: compensatory (also known as “actual damages”) and punitive. If you have any questions regarding damages for which you may be eligible, call Des Moines personal injury attorneys LaMarca Law Group, P.C. at (515) 705-0233.
Compensatory Damages
This kind of compensation is intended to prevent injured parties from taking on expenses that are not their fault and should not be their responsibility.
Examples of compensatory damages that a plaintiff may be eligible for include:
- Past, present, and future medical bills related to the injury
- Repairs of damaged property
- Lost wages due to missed work or reduced earning capacity caused by the injury
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of companionship or support (in a wrongful death case)
Punitive Damages
Sometimes juries decide that the compensatory damages they have awarded are not enough to adequately compensate the plaintiff or punish the defendant. In these cases, they may award additional punitive damages meant to ensure that the defendant will financially suffer. The goal is to prevent the defendant and other parties from committing that act again.
Contact a Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer
Winning the compensation to which you are entitled is not an easy process. You need experienced legal advice and aggressive representation. To discuss your case with a knowledgeable Des Moines personal injury lawyer, contact LaMarca Law Group, P.C. at (515) 705-0233.