The three types of personal injury damages in Pennsylvania are often grouped into the following categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages, also known as special damages, refer to the quantifiable financial losses that a plaintiff has suffered as a direct result of the defendant’s actions. These damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for their actual monetary losses. Economic damages can include:

• Medical expenses: costs related to medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and any other healthcare expenses incurred due to the injury.

• Property damage: the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, such as vehicles, homes, or personal belongings.

• Lost income: compensation for wages or income lost due to the injury, including past and future earnings that can be reasonably estimated.

• Loss of earning capacity: if the injury or incident permanently affects the plaintiff’s ability to earn a living, damages may be awarded to account for this reduced earning capacity.

• Other financial losses: any other monetary losses directly linked to the incident, such as transportation costs, home modifications, and more.

Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are intended to compensate the plaintiff for losses that are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms. These damages address intangible harms and losses that can significantly impact the plaintiff’s quality of life. Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering: compensation for the physical and emotional pain, discomfort, and distress experienced due to the injury or incident.

• Emotional distress: damages awarded for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects resulting from the incident.

• Loss of consortium: damages awarded to a spouse for the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy due to the injury suffered by their partner.

• Loss of enjoyment of life: compensation for the loss of ability to engage in activities that the plaintiff once enjoyed due to the injury.

Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff for their losses. Instead, they serve as a form of punishment for the defendant’s behavior and as a deterrent to others. These damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions are deemed willful, malicious, reckless, or grossly negligent. Punitive damages aim to discourage similar behavior in the future and uphold societal standards of conduct.

“If you have questions about personal injury lawsuits, call one of our injury lawyers for help: 800-392-4529“