Accidents often leave victims struggling with severe pain and extensive medical bills. Victims who are hurt due to someone else’s negligence or intentional conduct are entitled to recover damages from the at-fault party. This includes both special damages and general damages.
Keep reading to learn the differences between these two types of damages in personal injury cases.
What Are Special Damages?
Special damages may also be referred to as economic damages. These are the specific, quantifiable, financial losses that a victim suffers after an accident. These losses have a specific and measurable value.
Some common examples of special damages are:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
Proving the value of your special damages is usually fairly straightforward. Victims often use receipts, bills, invoices, and other documentation to show the value of these damages. In Florida, there is typically no limit to the amount of special damages that you can recover after an accident. You are entitled to recover the full amount of your financial losses.
What Are General Damages?
General damages are also called non-economic damages. These are the intangible, non-monetary losses that victims experience after an accident.
Some common types of general damages available after an accident are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent disability
General damages are quite subjective, so it can be challenging to put a specific value on these losses. Experts, such as medical professionals or financial analysts, can help put an accurate value on your general damages. Additionally, evidence that can help prove the value of the losses includes medical records, pain journals, and testimony from friends and family members.
The value of your general damages depends heavily on the severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries, the more your general damages are likely to be worth. Their value is often calculated somewhere between 1.5 and 5 times the value of your special, or economic, damages.
How Long Do I Have to Recover Damages After an Accident in Florida?
Your time to file a lawsuit for damages after an accident is limited. Florida law allows most victims two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit for damages. Failure to file your claim before the deadline can result in a total loss of your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
You should be aware, however, that there are some special situations in which the deadline for your case may be different from the general rule. This is why you should always seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon after your accident as possible.
Maximizing Your Recovery After an Accident
Knowing what to do after an accident can help you maximize the value of your claim.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you should:
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries, even if you think you feel “fine”
- Gather as much evidence from the scene as possible, such as photos and witness information
- Report your accident to the police when necessary, such as a car accident
- Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer for help
Your lawyer can help identify all the damages available in your case so that you can maximize your financial recovery.
Contact the Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not be left to deal with the consequences on your own. Contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Jacksonville personal injury attorney who is ready to help you get justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra personal injury law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167