Types of Compensation for a Massachusetts Personal Injury
A personal injury settlement usually covers what was lost because of an injury. If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to recover losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and more. Let’s look at some of the losses you may be able to recover through a personal injury lawsuit.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are the most common loss sought in a personal injury case and include medical procedures, medication, therapy, and ongoing treatment.
Income
If the injury affected your ability to work, whether temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
Pain and Suffering
Other losses that you may seek in your claim can include emotional distress as a result of the accident, loss of enjoyment of hobbies or recreational activities, loss of companionship with your spouse, and associated pain and discomfort from the injury.
Property Damage
If your personal property was damaged in the incident that caused your injury, you can also seek compensation for repairs or replacement. This is common in cases like car accidents, where vehicle damage is a significant concern. To recover these costs, you will need estimates or receipts for the repairs or the value of the damaged property.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for a specific loss but to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are awarded less frequently and typically require clear evidence of the defendant’s malicious intent or gross negligence.