What Are Considered Non-economic Damages in California?

When a plaintiff files a claim or lawsuit to acquire compensation, two main types of damages are considered: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those that can be assessed with concrete financial documentation, including hospital bills, property damage receipts, loss of income records, and more. Non-economic damages are subjective in value and tend to involve damage to a plaintiff's quality of life. Here are a few examples of non-economic damages.

Pain and Suffering 

Personal injuries often cause suffering, both physical and emotional, long after hospital bills have been paid. For example, a back injury can cause pain and limited movement for years or decades, and the emotional trauma of an accident can affect a person's long-term emotional health and well-being. Any lasting physical or mental effects of an accident may be considered non-economic damages in California.

Disfigurement

Non-economic damages also include when an injured party is left physically disfigured from scarring, burning, or facial damage. In addition to causing physical distress, the impact of such disfigurement can have lifelong effects on the injured person's emotional health. These cases are usually the result of serious car accidents, dog attacks, and other severe circumstances.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium describes non-economic damages that affect a person's relationships. Accidents and injuries can place enormous amounts of stress on marriages, relationships, and family structures, so it is not uncommon for there to be negative effects down the road. Loss of consortium damages can include divorce, the loss of love or emotional support, and the disruption of normal sexual function.

Because of the subjective nature of non-economic damages, make sure you have an experienced attorney on your side. The staff at Medeiros & Associates Lawyers has helped clients in the High Desert manage a variety of legal issues for decades. Schedule a free consultation for your case today by contacting us online or calling 760-241-1234.