Types of Damages

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Compensatory damages

Compensatory damages are derived from the word "compensate," meaning "to make up for" or "to make whole". Generally, these damages can be broken up into two sub-categories - actual damages and general damages. Actual damages seek to reimburse a plaintiff for out-of-pocket expenses incurred, or financial losses sustained. Actual damages typically include:

• Medical and hospitalization bills incurred to treat your injuries
• Wages lost due to work missed while you recuperate
• Costs of household or nursing help during recovery, including costs of wheelchair or crutches required
• Cost of rental car or substitute transportation
• Cost to replace or repair damaged property

As noted, injured victims can also sue for general damages in addition to actual damages. General damages include the things that can't be precisely documented in dollars spent, including:

Pain and suffering endured due to injuries and any subsequent mental anguish

Disfigurement resulting from injuries

Value of medical expenses you are likely to incur in the future

Value of wages you are likely to lose in the future

Permanency of injury and resulting pain and suffering

Loss of consortium (benefits of a relationship)

Loss of opportunity

Click here for more information on compensatory damages.

Punitive damages

In addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages may be awarded in certain cases. Punitive damages are not based on actual injuries sustained. Rather, they are a way to punish the defendant for intentional conduct or gross negligence - behavior that is so egregious that a civil court penalty is warranted in order to deter the defendant from committing the same act again in the future. In Florida, there is a cap on the amount of punitive damages you are entitled to. Punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages.Fla. Stat. § 768.73. However, if a defendant has a specific intent to harm the claimant and determines that the defendant's conduct did in fact harm the claimant, there is no cap on punitive damages.

Example: If an amusement park fails to inspect and repair a broken track on one of its rides, knowing of the problem and associated dangers, and severe injury or death results, the plaintiff may ask for hefty punitive damages to penalize the park.

Nominal damages

Nominal damages are minimal damage awards acknowledging that the plaintiff was legally wronged, while at the same time recognizing a lack of evidence establishing that the plaintiff suffered actual damages. Nominal damages are normally very small awards, and are allowed only in cases where actual injury is not required to be shown, such as with intentional torts.

Example: If you are pushed by someone in such a manner so as to be offensive, thus constituting the tort of battery, but you suffer no actual physical injury, you may be entitled to a minimal award of nominal damages.

Attorneys' fees and court costs

In addition to damages, a successful plaintiff may possibly recover court costs incurred. Court costs include the cost of filing fees, process server fees, deposition transcripts, court transcriptions and translators. Attorneys' fees are generally not included as part of a successful plaintiff's recovery, though there are limited circumstances where procedural rules allow for the successful plaintiff to recover attorney's fees and expert witness fees.

These procedural rules require the understanding and skill of experienced personal injury attorneys. If you or a loved one is a victim of personal injuries, call Joseph J. Bernardo, P.A. now at 239-332-3000 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

Joseph J. Bernardo, P.A. handles all types of Personal Injury cases including: Automobile Accidents, Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Insurance Bad Faith, Nursing Home Abuse, Airplane Accidents, Dog Bites, Drunk Driving Injuries, Large Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, School Bus Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents.