What Damages Can I Recover?
You can recover your actual economic losses such as the costs of reasonable and necessary medical care, property damage, car rental expenses, costs of domestic services, and loss of earnings. The law allows compensation for future medical and care expenses that the claimant can prove will be reasonably necessary to treat the injury. The claim may include income the claimant can prove will probably be lost in the future because of the injuries. Loss of earning capacity is also allowed when the patient proves he or she is less able to earn a living as a result of the injuries.
You are also entitled to noneconomic damages for physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. There is no definite standard of calculating reasonable compensation for these types of damages other than being just and reasonable in light of the evidence.
In certain instances, damages may be awarded to families of injured claimants for loss of care, companionship, love and affection. Family members can be compensated for the wrongful death of a loved one. These damages may include medical and burial expenses, loss of income that would have supported the family members, emotional suffering, and loss of the pleasures of the family relationship.
Punitive damages are intended to punish a defendant for reckless or malicious behavior and are only awarded in rare cases.
Other Connecticut Personal Injury FAQs
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Q:
I Was Injured. Can I File A Lawsuit Against The Party That Caused My Injury?
A: You can make a claim against another party or parties if they are more at fault for your injuries than you are. In general, when a person is injured as a result of … More -
Q:
How Will My Claim Be Processed?
A: You should be sure not to sign any documents without prior review by an attorney. You need to attend all scheduled doctor appointments in order to document your … More -
Q:
Who Is Responsible When A Person Is Injured?
A: The law of personal injury is concerned with determining who may be responsible for your injuries and how much they should be required to pay for your damages. … More -
Q:
How Do I Decide If I Need To Hire An Attorney?
A: There are situations where an attorney is unnecessary, such as very small cases. Small claims court in Connecticut will handle claims up to $3500. If your injury is a … More -
Q:
How Much Will An Attorney Cost?
A: Most attorneys who believe a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive … More -
Q:
How Long Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?
A: The law requires that you file a lawsuit within a specified period of time depending on the nature of the claim and the entity that caused your injury. This is … More -
Q:
How Can I Determine How Much My Claim Is Worth?
A: For purposes of settlement, a claim is valued upon an estimate of what a jury would likely believe the case to be worth, taking into account the severity of the … More
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