What types of damages can I recover in a personal injury case?

Injured in an accident?

You deserve more than just an apology—you deserve full compensation for what you’ve lost.

When someone else’s negligence turns your life upside down, the law allows you to recover financial and non-financial damages to help you rebuild. But what exactly can you claim? Many victims underestimate the true value of their case, leaving thousands (or even millions) of dollars on the table.

Personal injury claims typically cover three main types of damages:

• Economic damages – Your direct financial losses (medical bills, lost wages, etc.).
• Non-economic damages – Compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
• Punitive damages – Extra compensation designed to punish reckless behavior.

Every case is unique, and the amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, financial impact, and legal representation.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about personal injury compensation so you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Economic Damages: Covering Your Financial Losses

Economic damages are measurable financial losses directly caused by your accident. These damages are easier to calculate since they come with bills, receipts, and documented expenses. The goal of economic damages is to restore you financially to your position before the accident.

Let’s break them down!

Medical Expenses

Medical bills are often the largest financial burden after an accident. You are entitled to recover compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses related to your injuries, including:

• Emergency care (ambulance fees, ER visits, and urgent medical treatments)
• Hospital stays and surgical procedures
• Doctor consultations and follow-ups
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications and medical devices (wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.)
• Future medical expenses if your injury requires ongoing or lifelong treatment

Insurance companies often try to downplay medical costs, but an experienced attorney will ensure that every dollar spent on your recovery is accounted for.

Lost Wages & Future Earnings

If your injury keeps you out of work, you can claim compensation for:

• Lost wages for the time you were unable to work during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from performing the same job as before
• Future lost earnings if your injuries permanently affect your ability to earn income
• Loss of benefits, including bonuses, promotions, and retirement contributions

For those with long-term disabilities, an attorney can calculate the lifetime financial impact of your injury to ensure your settlement covers future income loss.

Property Damage

If your accident resulted in damage to personal property, such as your car, motorcycle, bicycle, or personal belongings, you have the right to seek compensation for:

• Repair costs if the damaged property can be fixed
• Replacement value if the property is totaled or beyond repair
• Rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired

Insurance companies may try to lowball property damage claims. A strong legal strategy ensures you receive fair market value compensation for damaged assets.

Rehabilitation & Therapy Costs

Many injuries require ongoing rehabilitation and therapy to regain mobility, function, and mental well-being. These costs are fully recoverable in a personal injury claim and may include:

• Physical therapy to regain strength and movement
• Occupational therapy to help with daily activities
• Mental health therapy for accident-related PTSD, anxiety, or depression
• Chiropractic care or alternative treatments for pain management

Recovery doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. Your settlement should cover all necessary rehabilitation costs so you can heal without financial stress.

Non-Economic Damages: Compensation Beyond Financial Losses

Not all losses come with a price tag.

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional, physical, and psychological toll that an injury has on your life. These damages may not have a clear financial value, but they can be just as devastating as economic losses. Because they are subjective, insurance companies often try to minimize their worth—which is why having a strong legal advocate is essential.

Here is the full breakdown:

Pain and Suffering

An injury isn’t just about medical bills—it’s about the pain you experience every day.

Whether it’s chronic pain from a fracture, spinal injury, or nerve damage or the ongoing discomfort of surgeries and treatments, you deserve compensation for the suffering you endure.

The longer and more intense your pain, the higher your potential payout. Courts consider factors like:

• Severity of injuries (e.g., broken bones vs. paralysis)
• Length of recovery time (temporary vs. permanent conditions)
• Need for long-term medical treatment (ongoing surgeries, therapy, or pain management)

A skilled attorney can work with medical experts to prove the extent of your suffering and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Emotional Distress & Trauma

A serious accident doesn’t just leave physical scars—it can also affect your mental health. Many victims experience:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression or mood disorders
• Sleep disturbances and nightmares

If your accident has left you emotionally shaken, fearful, or unable to live as you once did, you may be entitled to damages for emotional distress. Psychological evaluations, therapy records, and expert testimony can help establish the impact of your trauma.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If your injury prevents you from doing the things that once made life fulfilling—playing sports, traveling, engaging in hobbies, or even spending time with loved ones—you deserve compensation for that loss.

Even simple pleasures, like taking a walk, playing with your kids, or going to social events, can become difficult or impossible after a serious accident. Courts consider how your injuries have reduced your ability to experience life fully, and compensation is awarded based on the degree of impact on your day-to-day activities.

Loss of Consortium (Loss of Relationship Benefits)

Serious injuries don’t just affect the victim—they impact families and relationships.

If an injury has strained your marriage, diminished intimacy, or created a burden on your loved ones, you may be able to recover loss of consortium damages.

This applies when a spouse or family member:

• Loses companionship, affection, or emotional support
• Takes on caregiving responsibilities due to the injury
• Experiences strain or breakdown in their relationship with the victim

While no amount of money can replace the emotional toll of a life-altering injury, compensation for loss of consortium acknowledges the deeply personal struggles that injuries cause for both victims and their loved ones.

Punitive Damages: When Negligence Crosses the Line

Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are designed to compensate victims, punitive damages serve a different purpose: they punish the at-fault party for extreme negligence and deter future reckless behavior.

These damages are not awarded in every case—they are reserved for instances where the defendant’s actions go beyond carelessness and demonstrate willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Punitive damages are often much higher than regular compensation because they serve as a warning to others to prevent similar reckless behavior.

Below are some common situations where courts may award punitive damages.

Drunk Driving Accidents

If a drunk driver causes an accident, punitive damages may be imposed to send a strong message that driving under the influence will not be tolerated. Unlike standard car accident cases, where compensation is based on medical expenses and lost wages, a court may add punitive damages to penalize the driver for reckless endangerment of others on the road.

Punitive damages in DUI-related crashes are more likely when:

• The driver had an extremely high blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
• The driver had prior DUI convictions or a history of reckless driving.
• The accident resulted in serious or fatal injuries.

Gross Medical Negligence

Punitive damages may apply in medical malpractice cases where a doctor or healthcare provider knowingly ignores a serious medical issue, leading to devastating consequences. These cases often involve:

• Performing surgery on the wrong patient or body part.
• Failure to diagnose life-threatening conditions despite obvious symptoms.
• Administering the wrong medication or dangerous overdoses.

Unlike standard medical malpractice claims, where victims receive compensation for lost income and medical expenses, gross negligence cases may warrant additional punitive damages as punishment for willful neglect or reckless disregard for patient safety.

Intentional Harm or Assault

Punitive damages may also apply when an injury is not an accident but the result of intentional harm—such as assault, battery, or fraud. In these cases, the at-fault party’s actions go beyond negligence and demonstrate deliberate misconduct.

Some examples include:

• A bar fight where someone is intentionally attacked and injured.
• A company knowingly exposing workers to hazardous conditions without safety measures.
• A landlord refusing necessary repairs, causing tenants harm from unsafe living conditions.

Punitive damages in these cases are meant to ensure that reckless individuals or businesses are held fully accountable.

Corporate Negligence and Defective Products

Punitive damages are commonly awarded when large corporations knowingly put profits over public safety. Courts may impose these damages in cases involving:

• Dangerous pharmaceutical drugs released without proper testing.
• Defective cars with known safety issues that manufacturers fail to recall.
• Toxic chemical exposure that a company conceals, harming workers or consumers.

These cases often lead to massive settlements, as courts want to ensure that big companies take responsibility for their harmful actions and that similar misconduct is prevented in the future.

How Much Compensation Can You Recover?

There’s no fixed payout for personal injury cases—every claim is different. Your compensation depends on:

• The severity of your injuries (minor injuries vs. permanent disability).
• The long-term impact on your ability to work and enjoy life.
• The available insurance coverage of the at-fault party.
• The strength of your legal representation.

Insurance companies will try to lowball your settlement—that’s their job. Your job is to not settle for less than you deserve.

With the right lawyer, you can fight for every dollar you’re owed. At MB Injury Lawyer, we’ve helped clients secure millions in settlements, ensuring they get the compensation needed for a better future.

How a Lawyer Helps Maximize Your Compensation?

Having an experienced personal injury lawyer means:

• Your case is fully investigated—we collect police reports, medical records, and expert testimony.
• You won’t be lowballed—insurance companies will offer pennies unless a lawyer fights back.
• Negotiations are handled for you—so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal battle.
• You don’t pay unless we win—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront costs for you.

Insurance companies love when victims go it alone—don’t give them the upper hand.

Wrapping It Up

Personal injury cases allow victims to recover economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages. But insurance companies won’t make it easy. They will try to minimize, delay, or deny your claim—unless you fight back.

At MB Injury Lawyer, we don’t settle for less—neither should you. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’ll fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Not sure how much your case is worth? Contact MB Injury Lawyer today for a free case review!