What are the common types of damages in a personal injury case?

In a personal injury case, damages are the financial compensation sought for the harm caused by another person’s negligence. In Washington, the most common types of damages in a personal injury case are economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also referred to as compensatory damages, are intended to restore a person to the financial state they were in before the injury. Examples of economic damages are medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These damages are specifically calculated to offset the costs of the injury. Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are intended to compensate the plaintiff for pain, suffering, and mental anguish. These damages are more difficult to calculate, so they are typically estimated based on factors such as the injury’s severity, the length of recovery, and the impact on the plaintiff’s life. In some cases, punitive damages can be awarded to punish the defendant and to deter them from similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are uncommon, as they are typically only awarded if the defendant’s behavior was especially malicious or reckless. Finally, there may also be additional damages for loss of companionship, loss of consortium, or loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for the loss of enjoyment of life caused by the injury. In Washington, the most common types of damages in a personal injury case are economic damages, such as medical bills and property damage, as well as non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Punitive damages may also be awarded in certain cases, as well as damages for loss of companionship or loss of enjoyment of life.

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