How Can You Calculate Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

If you have suffered a personal injury in East Hartford, CT, you may be eligible to claim damages. Under Connecticut law, it’s possible to claim for economic and non-economic damages without any maximum award limit. This means it’s essential to present a strong case and provide evidence of any losses. An experienced personal injury law firm can help you to file a claim for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are much easier to calculate, as they mostly relate to fixed expenses that can be objectively proven. Examples of economic damages include:

• Medical costs (current and future)
• Traveling expenses
• Loss of wages
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Damaged property (repair or replacement)
• Loss of future earning capacity

Receipts, invoices, and other documentation relating to the expenses should be kept. These will usually need to be supplied for the economic damages to be agreed upon and settled.

Non-Economic Damages

An accident may result in more than just physical pain; individuals may suffer from psychological injuries as well as other types of emotional distress. Non-economic damages cover these types of losses and are much harder to calculate. Some of the factors taken into account include:

• Pain and suffering
• Humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of reputation
• Anguish and distress

As non-economic damages don’t have a tangible value, there are two different methods a court might use to calculate the settlement. The two sides may negotiate to agree on the method to be used in court.

Multiplier Method

The multiplier method is based on a formula that is linked to the value of the economic damages. Once the total of the economic damages is known, a multiplier is applied. The multiplier will vary depending on the severity of the injuries, with more severe injuries attracting a higher multiplier. 

Per Diem

A daily rate, known as the Per Diem method, is an alternative way to calculate non-economic losses. This involves attributing a daily rate for the duration of the injury and its effects. Agreeing on a daily rate can be challenging, although one approach is to use the claimant’s daily earnings. As Connecticut does not cap settlements, using Per Diem to calculate non-economic damages for long-term claims can result in a large payout.

Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm

To get an appropriate settlement, you must be able to prove your case. It’s even more important due to the modified comparative laws, which could see any settlement reduced or even refused. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help to put together a compelling case and ensure that the compensation calculations are a true representation of your pain and losses.

We have been using our extensive knowledge of personal injury law to help clients throughout Connecticut for more than a decade. Contact our team at Adler Law Group in East Hartford, CT to schedule a consultation today. 

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