Differences Between Punitive and Compensatory Damages July 31, 2018 | Categories: Uncategorized
If you ow someone you know have been injured in an accident through the fault of someone else, there are two very different types of damages you may be eligible to receive: compensatory and punitive. Whether you receive these damages and how much you receive can often greatly depend on the quality of legal representation you receive.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages means that you receive money as compensation for any losses that resulted in an accident caused by someone else. Losses can include medical bills relating to the accident as well as other tangible damages such as lost wages (now and in the future) and property damage. They can also include intangible damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress, and damages that affect your relationships with your spouse and other family members. They can even include damages that have affected your enjoyment of life.
A good personal injury attorney will make sure that you receive everything you are entitled to receive. This means not just payment for bills you have already incurred, but also payment for future bills that you will receive.
Punitive Damages
Courts award punitive damages as punishment for a party that caused harm through extreme negligence or while partaking in an illegal activity, such as drunk driving. They award these damages as a deterrence against future actions.
Unlike with compensatory damages, punitive damages are awarded solely under the discretion of the court. To receive them, you need a competent and experienced attorney who knows when the opportunity for punitive damages exist and who will aggressively pursue them for you.
Contact an Attorney
The personal injury lawyers in Greenville SC at Garcia Law LLC have the competence and the experience to make sure that you receive the maximum amount of damages if you have been hurt in an accident, whether they are compensatory or punitive or a combination of the two.
Garcia Law LLC is a name you can count on when looking for an auto accident lawyer Greenville SC.