Understanding the types of compensation you may recover in an Alabama personal injury case is important. One significant source of potential compensation will be the value of your non-economic damages. But what are non-economic damages? Personal injury attorneys in Birmingham can help you evaluate and calculate all potential non-economic damages.
Understanding Non-Economic Damages in Alabama
Non-economic damages refer to the compensation for losses that do not have a specific monetary value. They are designed to cover the emotional and psychological impact of an injury. This includes the physical pain and suffering you may endure.
Non-economic damages are different from economic damages, which are designed to compensate you for specific financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Examples of Non-Economic Damages in Alabama
Personal injury cases in Birmingham are always different. However, several types of non-economic damages are commonly awarded.
Examples include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, suffering, and discomfort you experience from your injuries
- Emotional distress: Compensation for the mental anguish, fear, anxiety, and other trauma associated with your injury.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the loss of companionship or affection your injury may have on a spouse.
- Disfigurement: Compensation for injuries that cause permanent disfigurement, such as scarring or amputation.
- Reduced quality of life: Compensation for injuries that prevent you from engaging in activities or hobbies as you did before the accident.
Non-economic damages do not have a specific financial value, but that does not mean they cannot be significant. The exact amount of compensation you may be awarded will depend on your injuries, including their severity. A Birmingham personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate potential non-economic damages in your case.
Is There a Cap on Non-Economic Damages in Alabama?
Alabama does not impose caps or limits on the non-economic damages you may recover in your personal injury case. This means you may be eligible to recover substantial compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other non-economic injuries after an accident. Speak with a Birmingham personal injury lawyer to assess the potential value of your damages.
What if I’m Partly Responsible for My Injuries and Non-Economic Damages?
You may be partly responsible for your accident and injuries. This can have serious impacts on your ability to recover non-economic damages. This is because Alabama is a contributory negligence state. This means if you are found to be even 1 percent responsible for your accident and injury, you will be barred from recovering any damages, including non-economic damages.
A Birmingham personal injury lawyer can fight to establish that you have no responsibility for your accident or injury.
Proving Non-Economic Damages in Birmingham, Alabama
Proving non-economic damages typically requires presenting thorough documentation and testimony from expert witnesses.
Valuable evidence may include:
- Medical records: Medical records can help demonstrate the extent of your injuries, physical pain, and suffering as recorded by medical professionals.
- Mental health records: Documentation from mental health professionals can support claims of emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Testimonies: Statements from family members, friends, and coworkers can provide insight into how your injury has affected your ability to live and work independently.
- Expert witnesses: Lawyers may retain medical experts and other professionals to testify about the impact of your injury on your quality of life.
Birmingham personal injury lawyers will evaluate your case to determine the evidence required to prove non-economic damages.
The Role of a Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyer in Recovering Non-Economic Damages
Your odds of recovering non-economic damages may be improved if you work with an Alabama personal injury lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer can:
- Evaluate your case: Assess the potential value of non-economic damages based on the specifics of your case.
- Gather evidence: Collect the necessary documentation and testimonies to support your claim for non-economic damages.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Advocate on your behalf and negotiate fair compensation from insurers for non-economic damages.
- Litigate if necessary: Represent you in court if a fair settlement for non-economic damages cannot be reached.
Speak with a Birmingham personal injury lawyer to learn how they will fight for your right to recover compensation for all potential non-economic damages.
Injured in Birmingham, Alabama? Consult with a Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyer
Non-economic damages are an important form of compensation in many Birmingham personal injury cases. If you or a loved one have been injured, speak with a Birmingham personal injury lawyer about recovering non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses. While often challenging to quantify, a personal injury lawyer can work with experts to show your non-economic damages to a judge or jury. Schedule a free consultation to speak with a Birmingham personal injury lawyer about your potential non-economic damages.
Contact a Birmingham personal injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers at 205-206-5088 today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case and legal options.