What Makes a PI Case Worthwhile?

Personal injury lawsuits can be complex and emotional. It is important to have a compassionate attorney on your side that will do what it takes to get the results you are looking for.

There are two types of awards that you can collect as a result of a personal injury lawsuit: compensatory and punitive damages. If your injury involves some or all of the following losses, you may be entitled to compensation.

Compensatory damages

These funds are designed to repay you for losses sustained by the accident or injury. It is easy to evaluate certain compensatory damages, such as property damage and medical expense reimbursement. Others are much less so, such as pain and suffering as well as a loss of hobby fulfillment due to injuries sustained. The following are compensatory damages common in lots of personal injury cases:

• Medical procedures: You will likely be reimbursed for funds you’ve spent on medical care due to your sustained injuries.

• Work-related earnings: If your salary and wages are impacted by your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation relating to the money you missed out on during your recovery, as well as any future earnings that are impacted by permanent physical damage. This is called “loss of earning capacity” in legal jargon.

• Loss of property: If your vehicle, attire, or any other items were harmed in the accident, you are able to receive funding for the repairs or the fair market value of your lost property.

• Pain and suffering: It is possible for you to receive payment for irritation and agony you sustained during and directly after the accident, as well as any long-term discomfort that can be associated with the incident.

• Emotional anguish: Funds may be awarded to you for issues like lack of sleep, fear, and anxiety.

• Enjoyment loss: If your hobbies and day-to-day activities have been affected by the accident, you may be entitled to “loss of enjoyment” damages.

• Consortium loss: These damages are awarded to the affected family member, rather than the injured plaintiff. “Loss of consortium” can mean that sexual endeavors with your significant other have been affected due to the accident, or it can mean that there is a strong impact on the relationship between a child and parent.

Punitive damages

These damages serve as consequences to defendants in the hopes they will not perform harmful actions toward other people again in the future. Whereas compensatory damages are designed to “make a person whole” again, punitive damages are meant to hurt the perpetrator’s bank account in order to deter them from acting in ways that could hurt others again.

Call Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy today at (773) 906-4063 to speak with an accomplished attorney about your Illinois personal injury case.