If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by someone else, you may know that you can seek money for medical bills and lost wages.
But what about the pain you feel, the stress and fear you deal with each day, or the loss of enjoyment in activities you once loved? These harms do not come with receipts, yet they still matter. The money you can receive for these personal losses is known as non-economic damages.
Non-economic damages cover the ways an injury changes your life beyond what you can measure with a calculator. While they cannot erase what happened, they can help bring you a sense of justice and acknowledge the true impact of your experience.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are meant to pay you back for the harm that does not have a direct price tag. While “economic damages” pay for things like hospital bills and missed paychecks, non-economic damages pay for the personal toll of the accident. They may include:
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain and ongoing discomfort caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress: Feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, or trouble sleeping because of the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Changes that stop you from enjoying hobbies, sports, family time, or other activities you once found rewarding.
- Loss of companionship or support: If your injury affects your relationship with your spouse, partner, or family members.
- Scarring or disfigurement: Permanent marks or changes to your body that impact your self-confidence or daily life.
These damages recognize that you have suffered more than just a hit to your wallet. Oftentimes, they can add up to the majority of the overall claim’s value.
How Are Non-Economic Damages Calculated?
There is no simple formula for non-economic damages because everyone’s pain and stress are personal. Instead of just adding up bills, insurance companies, lawyers, and sometimes juries look at many factors, such as:
- Injury severity: More severe or long-lasting injuries often mean higher non-economic damages.
- Length of recovery: If you will face pain, distress, or lifestyle changes for a long time, your damages may be greater.
- Impact on daily life: The more your injury stops you from working, caring for yourself, or enjoying activities, the higher the damages could be.
- Your age and health: A younger person who loses out on many years of an active life, or a healthy person who can no longer do what they used to, may receive more.
- Clarity of evidence: The stronger your proof that you have suffered in these ways, the better chance you have of recovering fair compensation.
Some lawyers might use rough methods, like multiplying your medical bills by a number or assigning a daily rate to your suffering, to reach a starting point. But these are only guidelines. Each case stands on its own.
What Evidence Can Help Show Non-Economic Damages?
Because non-economic damages have no price tags, you must show how you’ve been affected in other ways. Useful evidence can include:
- Medical records: These show the kind of injury and treatments you received, helping support claims of ongoing pain or mental distress.
- Your own words: Telling your story about how the injury changed your daily life, mood, and enjoyment is important.
- Witness statements: Friends, family, or coworkers who’ve seen changes in your behavior, personality, or activities can confirm your struggles.
- Expert opinions: Doctors or mental health professionals can explain your physical or emotional condition in detail.
- Journals or diaries: Writing down your pain levels, fears, frustrations, or what you miss doing can help paint a clearer picture of your loss.
By collecting strong, honest evidence, you give insurance companies or juries a better understanding of the true impact of your injuries.
Your lawyer can help you decide whether to settle or go to trial. The best choice depends on how strong your case is, how fair the offers are, and how patient you are with the process.
Contact an Experienced Dallas Personal Injury Attorney for Legal Help
Figuring out non-economic damages can be hard, and proving them can be even harder. But you don’t have to do it alone. An experienced Dallas personal injury attorney knows how to gather the right evidence, talk to insurance adjusters, and present your claim so you have the best chance at full compensation.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident and believe you deserve non-economic damages, don’t wait. Contact a skilled Dallas personal injury lawyer today at (214) 556-8321. They’ll guide you through each step, answer your questions, and stand up for your rights. By working with an attorney, you give yourself a better shot at recovering both the financial and personal compensation you need to rebuild your life.