Personal injury law largely deals with civil and consumer rights. People incur various kinds of damages due to the negligence or misconduct of another individual, group, or corporation; for example, physical injuries, mental trauma, property destruction, loss of life, etc. Personal injury cases emerge from a variety of industries and circumstances, including car crashes, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, and defective products. The liable party could be healthcare provider, an employer, a random driver, a drug manufacturer, or a dog owner in the neighbourhood.

Since accidents and resulting damages can vary drastically in nature, the compensation in each case differs accordingly. The level of reckless behaviour exhibited by the perpetrator and the severity of damages encountered by the victim are taken into account for determining the structure and amount of financial reimbursement. If you have a personal injury claim, Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney can help you recover one or more of the following damages:

1. Special Damages

Special damages refer to compensation of financial losses caused by the personal injury. This includes medical expenses for having the injury examined and treated by a professional practitioner. Healthcare is quite expensive in the U.S, and it becomes quite the burden if you have none or limited medical insurance. The cost of consultation, therapy, operative procedures/surgery, and medication add up to thousands of dollars. If the victim suffers from long-term injuries or a permanent disability because of the accident, he/she can claim compensation for ongoing and future healthcare costs.

Since special damages are economic damages, they also cover lost income caused by the injuries. Therefore, if the plaintiff had to miss work while recovering from the injuries, the defendant will compensate for the deducted salary or lost wage. You can also receive financial reimbursement for cancelled plans or non-refundable trips. If your family depends on your income, they may acquire money for household expenses.    

2. General Damages

General damages are non-economic damages sustained by every victim in a personal injury case. This category primarily addresses the pain and suffering of an individual that is brought upon by physical wounds, infection/illness, psychological impact, loss or consortium, loss of companionship, or the inability to live a normal life. It can be hard to put a price tag on these damages, which is why the intervention of an experienced lawyer is crucial. Mental injuries are usually considered when they are accompanied by a bodily injury; otherwise, it can be hard to justify your claim.

3. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages apply if the defendant’s actions were increasingly malicious, violent, or unforgiveable. The purpose of these damages is to make up for the extreme harm caused to the victim and to teach a lesson to the perpetrator. For example, the court is likely to award you punitive damages if you were brutally assaulted or violated by your partner. The hefty sum of the award will discourage the guilty party from repeating the offense.

4. Wrongful Death

When a person dies in an accident instigated by someone’s negligent or irrational behaviour, the family is eligible to claim compensation for their loss. The value of the claim depends upon the financial deficit caused by the victim’s death. If nobody was financially dependent on the deceased, the amount of compensation would not be high.