What type of damages can a professional be liable for in a professional negligence claim?

In Washington, a professional may be liable for a variety of damages in a professional negligence claim. The court may award compensatory damages, which are meant to compensate the claimant for losses and damages incurred as a result of the professional’s negligence. These damages may include medical costs, lost wages, and other economic harms resulting from the professional’s negligence. The court may also award general damages, which are damages that are harder to quantify and do not involve a direct out of pocket expense or loss to the claimant. These damages are meant to compensate a claimant for non-economic harms like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and inconvenience caused by the professional’s negligence. In some cases, the court may award punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the professional for their negligent conduct. Punitive damages are awarded in cases of gross negligence, or when the professional’s conduct was particularly egregious. Finally, the court may award exemplary damages. These damages are similar to punitive damages, but are imposed to deter others from similar negligent behavior. In Washington, a professional can be liable for compensatory, general, punitive, and exemplary damages in a professional negligence claim. The court may award the claimant any combination of these damages in order to make them whole again.

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What type of damages can a professional be liable for in a professional negligence claim?

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