When recovering from serious injuries, taking legal action can feel like more hassle than it’s worth. If the accident in which you were hurt could have been prevented, though, there’s a good chance you’re entitled to compensation. Considering Texas tort law recognizes all kinds of losses, there’s also a good chance proceeding could be well worth your while.
Let’s take a look at the kinds of damages that most often make up personal injury payouts in the Lone Star State:
1. Medical Expenses
Virtually all the costs associated with treating your injuries are recoverable. This includes any hospital bills you end up having to pay out-of-pocket, as well as expenses for things like office copays, prescription drugs, and medical equipment.
If doctors believe you’ll need additional procedures down the road—if you sustained a severe burn, for example, you might need a dozen or more reconstructive surgeries over the course of several years—you can also account for their anticipated costs when putting together your damages claim.
2. Lost Earnings
It’s not uncommon for accident victims to miss work. Should you be stuck at home while recovering, you can include the wages you lose as a result in your claim.
Moreover, if your injuries cause any permanent disabilities that keep you from returning to the workforce at all, you can also seek compensation for lost earning capacity.
3. Objectively Calculable Damages
If you wouldn’t have incurred a specific expense had you not gotten hurt, you can probably include it in your claim. Some of the most common objectively calculable damages include:
- Property repairs,
- Reasonable and necessary replacement services,
- Alternative transportation,
- Domestic help,
- Home care,
- Child care, and
- Home and vehicle modifications.
4. Non-Economic Damages
Sometimes, the most devastating damages left in the wake of an accident aren’t actually tangible. Instead, they encompass things likes diminished quality of life, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment.
Fortunately for injured parties, all such losses, called non-economic damages, are recoverable. While convincing the insurance adjuster of their extent can pose a challenge, a resourceful attorney should have a number of viable strategies for doing so.
5. Punitive Damages
Most personal injury claims do not warrant a punitive award on top of the compensatory damages mentioned above; however, if the liable party was fueled by fraud, malice, willful misconduct, or gross negligence, the claimant may be able to seek punitive damages, as well. Such damages are typically capped at $200,000 or twice the total economic damages plus the non-economic damages up to $750,000, whichever is greater.
Call 713-893-8808 for a Free Consultation with a Houston Personal Injury Attorney
For help with every aspect of your tort action, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C. A seasoned and compassionate attorney with nearly two decades of experience in the legal field, Chelsie is proud to fight for those whose lives were derailed by others. Call 713-893-8808 or submit her Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with this Houston personal injury lawyer.
