When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence in Arizona, you have the right to bring a personal injury claim for damages. Damages refer to the compensation you can recover from the at-fault party for your losses. The amount of damages will vary depending on the circumstances of your case. Generally, there are three types of damages that you can recover in an Arizona personal injury case: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
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Economic Damages
Economic damages are the most common type of damages in a personal injury case. They compensate you for the financial losses you sustained as a result of your injury. Economic damages are typically easier to calculate and quantify than non-economic damages. Here are some examples of economic damages:
Medical Expenses
This includes all past and future medical expenses related to your injury. This may include hospital bills, diagnostic tests, surgery, rehabilitation, and other medical treatments.
Lost Wages
If your injury causes you to miss work, you can recover the wages you would have earned during that period. You may also recover any future wages you will lose due to your injury.
Property Damage
If your injury was caused by a car accident or other accident that damaged your property, you can recover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are subjective and not easily quantifiable. Here are some examples of non-economic damages:
Pain and Suffering
This refers to physical pain and discomfort you experienced due to your injury. It includes both past and future pain and suffering.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress refers to the psychological impact of your injury. This includes things like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If your injury prevents you from participating in activities you enjoyed before the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
Disfigurement and Disability
If your injury causes permanent scarring or disfigurement or long-term disability, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional impact of these injuries.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for their conduct and deter others from engaging in similar conduct. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not awarded in every case. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless. Here are some examples of conduct that may warrant an award of punitive damages:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Intentional harm or fraud
- Reckless disregard for safety
- Gross negligence
Conclusion
In an Arizona personal injury case, you may be entitled to several types of damages. Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, while non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses. Punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious. It is important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.