Call Us (337) 433-1414

What are personal injury damages to consider?

asian men wear cloth splint on arm to treat car accident injuries
Asian men wear cloth splint on arm to treat car accident injuries.

If you were injured in a car accident, you’re probably going to leave a pretty long paper trail. Hospital bills, doctor’s expenses, prescriptions, and other costs add up quickly. 

But don’t worry –  you may be able to have those things paid for you. The party responsible for your injury may pay it back through two types of compensation called “special damages” and “general damages.”

Keep reading to learn more about personal injury damages and how they can help you move past your injury.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo

Special (Economic) Damages

Calculable Out-of-Pocket Costs & Monetary Losses Related to the Accident

“Special damages” (also known as “economic damages”) are those which are easily calculable, for which at least a partial dollar amount can be determined.

They’re usually fairly easy to secure. Just make sure you hold on to all invoices, bills, and statements that you receive as a result of your treatment for injuries suffered in the accident.

If you qualify for this type of personal injury damages, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Cost of medical treatment (past and future)
  • Cost of transportation
  • Cost of hiring assistance for household tasks that the injured party can no longer perform
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage

Click here to learn more about special damages in Louisiana.

Calculating Special Damages

As discussed, special damages are generally pretty easy to calculate because the total amount has already been spent, or there’s a documented record of the lost money.

Let’s say that Ann was injured in a car accident. She received treatment in the ER, a doctor’s office, and a physical therapy practice. All of that treatment totaled $9,000. Ann’s new $1,200 laptop was also damaged in the accident, and she had to pay $3,000 to fix her car, plus $300 to have it towed from the scene. 

That adds up to $13,500 that Ann can claim in special damages.

The situation may get more complex when you factor in the cost of future medical care or future wage loss, but a competent attorney, solid evidence, and sound witnesses will make the difference.

General (Non-Economic) Damages

Incalculable Lifestyle Changes as a Result of the Accident

By definition, general or “non-economic” damages cannot be calculated with certainty.

This is because of the categories included in general damages. There’s no set value for things like mental anguish and pain and suffering, so awards for general damages can vary greatly from case to case.

That’s why it’s important to hire a good attorney. A competent lawyer will work to get you maximum compensation, even in cases where a judge is notoriously tightfisted.

You may be able to recover the following types of general damages:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental/emotional anguish
  • Loss of companionship
  • Lower quality of life
  • Physical disfigurement or impairment

General damages are certainly more difficult to calculate than special damages, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to recover.

An experienced personal injury attorney in Lake Charles will put your best interests first and fight for every penny of the compensation you need. Call The Johnson Firm today at (337) 433-1414.

Getting You Maximum Compensation for Personal Injury Damages

Car accident-related bills pile up fast. Between medical bills, equipment, prescriptions, and paying for property damage, you could sink into a financial hole before you realize it. If you were in a wreck, don’t assume you’re out of options.

The expert personal injury attorneys at The Johnson Firm in Lake Charles, Louisiana will hold the negligent party accountable and get you the compensation you deserve. Call (337) 433-1414 now.

Let's start your case

Step 1 of 2

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Divorce attorney in Lake Charles
Lake Charles Adoption Attorney
Lake Charles Assault & Battery Attorney
Lake Charles Car Accident Lawyers
Lake Charles Child and Spousal Support Attorney
Take Your Next Step
Call us at
or

Give allwins casino a try and experience first-hand a well-rounded online casino that ticks all the right boxes for discerning players who expect the best. With games sourced from industry-leading providers and a secure banking system you can rely on completely, everything is in place for a great session. The site loads quickly on any device, navigation is intuitive and clutter-free, and professional customer support is always within easy reach whenever you need it.

Discover katana spin today and step into a world of premium online entertainment designed specifically for players who expect nothing but the very best from their casino. From feature-packed slots with innovative mechanics to classic table games and professionally hosted live casino rooms, the catalogue covers every possible preference. The platform is fully optimised for both desktop and mobile play, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience regardless of which device you choose.

Check out prestige spin casino today for a gaming experience that successfully combines impressive variety, robust security, and genuine ease of use in perfect balance. The platform supports a wide range of payment methods popular among players and processes both deposits and withdrawals with remarkable efficiency and transparency. Every single game in the catalogue is provided by a licensed and independently audited developer, ensuring fair play and smooth performance across all devices.

Accessing golden genie casino is refreshingly straightforward and hassle-free — simply open your preferred browser, create an account in just a few minutes, and start playing without any delay whatsoever. The extensive game library includes video slots of every theme imaginable, classic table games with multiple variants, and immersive live casino rooms, all available without any software installation. Account management and financial transactions are handled through a clean and fully secure interface.

The story behind bofcasino is one of a platform that has consistently evolved to meet the growing expectations of its player community over the years. From its early days offering basic slots to the current lineup of live dealer tables hosted by trained professionals, every stage of development has strengthened player trust. Today the site ranks among the most appreciated online gaming destinations for players who value quality and reliability above all else.

Give wg casino a try and experience first-hand a well-rounded online casino that ticks all the right boxes for discerning players who expect the best. With games sourced from industry-leading providers and a secure banking system you can rely on completely, everything is in place for a great session. The site loads quickly on any device, navigation is intuitive and clutter-free, and professional customer support is always within easy reach whenever you need it.

The platform at allwins casino brings together games from some of the most respected and consistently innovative developers working in the online gaming industry today. Players can browse through an extensive and well-organised collection of slots, roulette variants, blackjack tables, and live casino options with remarkable ease. The site is fully optimised for mobile play without sacrificing any of the visual quality or rich functionality that players have come to expect.

Players who sign up at golden genie casino immediately benefit from a platform that has been fully and carefully tailored to meet their specific needs, preferences, and expectations as online casino enthusiasts. Popular payment options, professional English-language support available around the clock every day of the week, and a comprehensive game catalogue featuring the most sought-after titles make it a natural and compelling choice. Everything is set up for a comfortable and rewarding experience.