What Are Non-Economic Damages in California?

When you are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your losses. It’s important to be aware that in order to receive full compensation for your injuries, you will want to pursue funds to cover your non-economic damages in addition to your financial losses.

Items that can be proven with receipts, bills, invoices, and other documentation, such as medical expenses, property damage, and loss of income, are known as economic damages. In contrast, non-economic losses do not have a dollar amount attached and are subjective in value. Non-economic losses reflect damage done to your quality of life and include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering refers to the physical pain and the emotional suffering you have endured because of the accident, including into the future. For example, if you suffered a spine injury, compensation will be determined based on the severity of your injuries, how long your recovery process is, and how your injuries impact your life on an everyday basis.

Emotional Distress

Emotional distress or mental anguish can include anxiety, grief, fear, shock, post-traumatic stress disorder, and humiliation, among a variety of other negative emotions and disorders. In many victims, emotional distress can lead to physical symptom, such as significant weight loss.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life is determined by how your life has been affected as a result of the accident. You can get compensated when you experience difficulties that impact your enjoyment of daily activities. For instance, you may no longer be able to participate in activities you once enjoyed, such as biking, surfing, or swimming.

Disability and Disfigurement

When you have been disfigured in an accident, it means that your injuries have permanently altered your appearance, such as through scarring. The impact can be devastating, causing physical and emotional difficulties that can alter your everyday life for years to come—possibly the rest of your life.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium reflects the damage done to your personal relationships, including your marriage. It refers to any relationship loss that may include damage done to the following:

• Love
• Affection
• Companionship
• Emotional support
• Comfort
• Intimacy
• Sexual function

Analysis and Calculation of Non-Economic Damages

Sometimes the most significant damages in personal injury cases are non-economic losses. How the extent of your physical pain and the emotional trauma are affecting your daily life will have a great impact on how much financial compensation you will recover.

Although you cannot put a monetary value on your pain or loss, the calculation for compensation includes these factors:

• If your injury is long-term or permanent
• Severity of your injuries and emotional trauma
• Disruption to your everyday life
• Projected recovery time

Contact a Sacramento Injury Lawyer

To learn more about how we can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries, please contact Crowell Law Offices at 916-303-2800 or simply fill out the form below to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation.