When you’re a victim of a personal injury, it is overwhelming for many reasons. The most serious and imminent worry is how you will pay your bills and put food on the table if you’re hurt. Personal injuries can impact your livelihood, but you can do something about it.
The 3 Types of Possible Damages Awarded
Texas personal injury law breaks up the types of damages into three categories – economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the costs that happen due to personal injury. It includes the various bills, lost wages, and other related financial losses.
You have the right to seek damages to cover past, present, and future medical bills that are directly related to the accident.
The loss of wages and benefits is scary for anyone. Your attorney will pursue both immediate lost wages and those you will lose in the future due to your injuries.
Texas allows a victim of personal injury to claim related economic losses. For instance, if your spouse loses wages because of your injuries, you can pursue compensation.
2. Non-Economic Damages
According to Texas law, non-economic damages have no specific monetary value. They reflect the possible diminished quality of life after the incident.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Inability to maintain an intimate or personal relationship
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement or other permanent injuries
- Loss of enjoyment in life
3. Punitive Damages
A judge has the power to rule on an award that is meant to punish and make an example of someone. Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are rare and happen in extreme cases.
Common Personal Injuries in Abilene, Texas
Car Accidents
Regardless of where you live, car accidents are easily the most common cause of personal injury in the US. Sadly, the cause of most vehicle collisions is due to the negligence of another driver. If you have been in a car accident that resulted in personal injury, it is best to hire an expert attorney to help cover the costs.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall incidents are common and unfortunate cases of personal injury. Whether it happened in a private business or public property, you could be eligible to pursue compensation for any damages you sustained.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice involves a healthcare professional making a mistake that leaves a person with injuries that could last a lifetime. Personal injury cases involving medical malpractice are notoriously complicated and require a lawyer who understands the ins and outs of personal injury.
Workplace Accidents
All personal injuries are traumatic. However, workplace accidents are unique because they can happen for a multitude of reasons. The victim has a right to sue their employer for damages they experienced. However, it typically links back to someone else’s negligence, including poor training, malfunctioning equipment, and unsafe working conditions.
The highest rates of workplace accidents involve nurses, truck drivers, and laborers.
Construction Injuries
Construction workers face dangers that no other profession does. It is nearly impossible to have a hazard-free construction zone. It is still the responsibility of the employer to remove risks.
Premises Liability
Accidents happen everywhere. Premises liability injuries are those received on someone else’s property. A good example is a slip and fall because of dangerous conditions. You have the option of pursuing compensation for those injuries, so you aren’t left holding the medical bills.
Product Liability
Defective products are far too common in the modern world, and they can cause a world of damage. When it leads to personal injury, the company that made and distributed the product is responsible for the injuries the product causes.
Maximum Awards for Personal Injury Claims in Texas
Texas has sharp caps on what a judge can award a personal injury victim. It differs depending on where the personal injury happens. It is confusing, and it benefits you and your case when you hire a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Agricultural Recreational Land
You can only receive so much in damages from private landowners, lessees, and occupants. Personal injuries that happen on agricultural, recreational land have a max of $500,000 for physical injuries and $100,000 for property damages.
State Government Employees
Government employees and agents that cause injury or deprive rights while doing their job are responsible for their actions. However, Texas law has limited the amount of damages you can pursue to $100,000.
Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice
Regardless of the severity of the injuries, victims of wrongful death and malpractice can only seek so much in damages. The limit is $500,000 does not include medical damages, including future care.
Medical malpractice caps out at $250,000 for non-economic damages.
Personal Injury and Your Rights
Regardless of the personal injury or how it happened, retaining a personal injury lawyer is one of the first steps you must take to ensure your rights and future case. It is the job of insurance companies and corporations to fight tooth and nail, not to pay you a dime. However, with the right advocate at your side, you can ensure you get what you deserve, and someone is held responsible.
