Accidents can cause injuries that lead to physical, emotional, and financial difficulties. In Ohio, individuals who suffer harm due to someone else’s negligence may have the right to seek compensation. This compensation, called damages, has the purpose of addressing the impact of an injury on a person’s life.
Economic damages
Economic damages cover financial losses that result directly from the injury. These are measurable expenses and involve tallying a total from bills, estimates, receipts, and pay stubs.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses: Hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and future medical needs related to the injury can qualify as recoverable compensation.
- Lost income: If the injury causes missed work or reduced future earning capacity, accident survivors can pursue claims for lost wages or compensation for the impact on their ability to work.
- Property damage: If an accident damages one’s belongings, such as a car in a collision, a plaintiff can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.
Economic damages may encompass other related costs, such as transportation expenses to and from medical appointments or the cost of hiring help for household chores that the injured person can no longer perform.
Noneconomic damages
Noneconomic damages compensate for the emotional and personal impact of the injury. These damages are harder to measure because they do not involve specific bills or costs. Examples include pain and suffering, which covers physical pain and emotional distress the injury caused.
Some plaintiffs qualify for loss of enjoyment if the injury prevents them from engaging in recreational activities they used to do. Damages for loss of companionship may be available when injuries affect relationships, such as time spent with family or a partner.
Ohio allows accident survivors to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. As a result, injured claimants have a legal means to a more complete and just recovery.
