What Damages Can I Recover in an Illinois Personal Injury Lawsuit?

 Posted on April 29, 2021 in Personal Injury

A personal injury claim is a claim used to seek restitution after an injury caused by wrongdoing or negligence. Car crashes, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and many other situations can lead to a personal injury claim. The party responsible for the injury may be a property owner, business, trucking company, drunk driver, or another party. Personal injury claims not only hold the liable party answerable for the harm caused by their actions, they may also provide financial relief. The amount of compensation you can get in a personal injury case varies depending on the severity of the injuries and other factors.

Economic Damages You May Recover in a Personal Injury Case

Economic damages or financial damages are those that result in measurable financial hardship. You could be compensated for:

• Medical expenses - Being hurt in an accident may require significant medical care. Medical bills from doctor’s appointments, hospitalization, surgery, and other medical needs may be recoverable through a personal injury case. You may also be compensated for medical devices or assistive technology you require because of your injuries.

• Lost income - If you were severely hurt, you may be unable to work. The wages you lost or the sick time you had to take because of your injuries may be compensable. You could be compensated for your past and future lost income. If your ability to work and earn a living was diminished because of your injuries, you may also be able to get compensation for lost earning capacity.

• Property damage – If your vehicle, bicycle, or other personal property was damaged or destroyed in the accident in which you were injured, you may be compensated for the cost of repairing or replacing it.

Pain and Suffering and Other Non-Economic Damages

The consequences of a bad accident are not only financial. However, monetary damages are typically the only way to provide compensation for non-financial harm. You could be compensated for your physical pain as well as your mental and emotional suffering. This may include mental health issues such as anxiety or insomnia that you suffer after the accident. You may also receive monetary compensation for your scarring or other disfigurement caused by your accident and your loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive Damages Are Awarded in Rare Cases

Punitive damages are unlike other categories of damages. These damages do not compensate the injured person for losses. Instead, they intend to financially penalize the liable party. Per Illinois law, punitive damages are awarded when the defendant’s conduct was malicious or extremely reckless.

Contact a Cook County Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were hurt in a car accident, fire, slip and fall, dog attack, or another incident caused by someone else’s negligence, Barrington Injury Attorneys can help you recover full compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact a Barrington personal injury lawyer at 224-900-HURT for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K2-604.1