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Punitive and Compensatory Damages
If you have been the victim of personal injury you may be entitled to damages. Awarded in civil actions, personal injury damages are monies allotted to those who have been wrongfully injured by someone else. Damages are intended to help restore the victim physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. The two main types of personal injury damages are compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages, which are sometimes refered to as actual damages, cover all financial expenses and all ailments associated with personal injury, including:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering (grief, fright, anxiety, humiliation, or depression)
- Repair or replacement of property
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Permanent disability
- Mental impairment
- Earning capacity impairment
Punitive Damages
Often called exemplary damages, punitive damages are typically awarded to the plaintiff in addition to compensatory damages when the defendant’s conduct has been especially malicious or oppressive. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the offender and to deter others from engaging in similar actions.
How much can you receive in personal injury damages?
Personal injury damages are determined on an individual, case-by-case basis. The amount is decided by the jury but can be reviewed by the court. If a judge feels that the amount of damages is excessive, he or she can order remittitur, a process in which the punitive damages are reduced without a new trial or appeal. If a judge feels that the amount of damages is inadequate, he or she can order additur, whereby punitive damages are increased without a new trial or appeal.
Tire Defects – Serious Accident and Injury Legal Help
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, or a loved one has been killed, as the result of a tire defect, tire failure, tread separation, tire blowout, rollover accident, or any other serious injury accident, then please call us to discuss your legal rights to a potential product liability lawsuit. Please fill out our online form or call us right now: Toll Free 1-800-883-9858.