When injured, you may brush off the incident as a simple accident. However, it’s essential to understand you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you’ve suffered because of another person’s negligence. As such, familiarizing yourself with the differences between punitive and compensatory damages is critical to ensure you can recover the funds you are entitled to. The following blog explores the differences between these damages and why you need personal injury attorneys in Baltimore County to help represent you through these matters.
What Are Punitive and Compensatory Damages?
When injured due to another party’s negligence, you are likely eligible to file a lawsuit against them to seek compensation for your losses. However, it’s important to understand there are generally two forms of damages an injured party can seek – compensatory and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages represent compensation for actual losses the injured party has suffered, which include economic and non-economic damages. For example, medical bills, pain and suffering, humiliation, and property damage are all compensatory damages. Generally, these are proven through receipts for economic damages and calculations for subjective losses like loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are much more rare. This is because these do not represent any actual losses or damages suffered by the injured party but rather are used as a means of punishing the negligent party for their actions. In some instances, even if the defendant does not seek punitive damages, the court will order them to hold the defendant responsible and to use them as an example to deter others from the same actions. These are generally only ordered when the actions of the defendant are particularly egregious.
How Do I Recover Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you have sustained an injury at the hands of a negligent party, understanding your legal options is essential. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they can file a lawsuit and miss out entirely on the funds they deserve. If someone tries to settle with the other person’s insurance, they may be offered a settlement worth significantly less than the true value of their damages. Because many people do not understand what factors can influence the compensation they deserve, they may accept this settlement without realizing they are entitled to significantly more funds.
As such, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney if you have been injured at the hands of a negligent party. When you’re hurt, the team at the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi is ready to represent you. We understand how difficult navigating a personal injury and lawsuit can be, which is why you can rest assured that your case is in good hands when you turn to us. Connect with us today to learn how we can fight for you during these challenging times during a free consultation with a member of our staff.
