Damages are “the remedy that a party requests the court award in order to try to make the injured party whole,” according to Cornell Law’s Legal Information Institute.
What Does Damages Mean in Layman’s Terms?
Damages are the compensation you can recover in a personal injury or wrongful death case.
There are a few types of damages available in injury cases:
- Economic damages compensate you for your out-of-pocket and future expenses related to the accident.
- Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional damage you suffered.
- Punitive damages are rare but are awarded to punish the defendant (the other party or corporation) for their behavior.
- Wrongful death damages include both economic and non-economic damages related to the loss of a loved one.
Examples of Recoverable Damages
What you can recover depends on the specifics of your case, but could include:
Economic Damages
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses, such as the costs of renovating a home or vehicle for an injury or transportation costs to and from doctor’s appointments
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
What Does This Mean for You?
When you hear the word “damages,” it may sound technical or distant. But in reality, damages represent something deeply personal; they reflect the ways your life has been changed because of someone else’s negligence. For many injury victims, these losses go far beyond medical bills or missed workdays. They affect your sense of security, your ability to provide for your family, and the day-to-day experiences that once brought joy.
Understanding damages helps you understand your rights after an injury. If someone else caused your accident, the law allows you to pursue compensation to help rebuild your life. Economic damages help ease the financial burden. Non-economic damages acknowledge the emotional and physical toll that injuries take. And in rare cases, punitive damages exist to hold wrongdoers accountable for dangerous or reckless behavior.
For you, this means that your injury is not something you must endure alone. The law recognizes your pain, your setbacks, and your future needs—and gives you a path to seek justice.
