In a personal injury lawsuit, there are two types of compensatory damages, special damages, also know as economic damages, and general damages, also know as non-economic damages. Economic damages are those which can be tied to a specific dollar value. Non-economic damages include your physical and emotional pain and suffering, harm to your ability to interact with loved ones, and other harm that does not have a specific dollar value and typically means far more to injury victims than the money they have lost and will have to spend. To learn more about damages in your case, talk to an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney today.
Non-economic Damages in Georgia
Unlike some states, Georgia does not place a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury lawsuits. Non-economic damages can include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
The amount of your non-economic damages will be based on many factors including how severe the harm and how long the suffer is expected to last. You can receive compensation for the pain and suffering you have already experienced. If you are expected to suffer indefinitely, your award may be much higher. This may be tied to your likelihood to recover physically or can be based on long-term or permanent psychological harm.
For instance, if you temporarily lost the use of an arm, you may receive a small award the associated pain and suffering. If your arm was amputated or you have permanent lost use, this changes your life forever, requiring you to make adjustments to everything from how you dress yourself to how you drive a vehicle, the time and effort or everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or taking out the trash, and so much more. Therefore, yow old demand much higher damages.
To learn more about pain and suffering and other non-economic damages in your Georgia injury claim, please call Robbins Law, PC, at 800-772-5555 or contact us online today and schedule your free consultation.