Common Categories of Damages

Injuries can span from minor to extreme depending on the nature of the case. Your claim will fall under one of a few categories that provide compensation for your loss.

General damages (non pecuniary damages) seek to recover monetary compensation for issues that cannot be quantified; physical and  psychological damage, discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium to name a few. 

Also known as pain and suffering, physical and psychological damage attempts to measure the severity and length of injuries that are being dealt with now and in the future. Losing a limb or being trapped in a vehicle impacts not just your body but your mind as well.

Loss of consortium concerns a third party who is directly adversely affected by your injury. It usually can be your immediate family who may have been present for the injury or who is dealing with the recovery process. A man may not be able to fulfill his duties as a husband and father, causing stress and emotional trauma, having a domino effect on the entire household.

Special damages (pecuniary damages) cover calculable losses such as loss of income, damage to property, etc. If employed, you may not be able to work for a period of time and you may end up being replaced or set back in your current position. In addition, actual quantifiable damage may have been suffered to your personal property.

Punitive damages are a two part monetary charge imposed on the defendant in order to punish and deter deliberate, malicious, wilful and vindictive acts that have happened or will happen in the future. This is common with large business entities that fail to show good faith on their actions towards those which they bear responsibility.

Compensatory Damages are awarded in order to get the client to the point that they were before suffering the loss. It covers the actual injury and economic loss.

Nominal Damages are of small/low monetary value and are awarded simply to show that the plaintiff was correct even if there has been no significant loss. It is in a sense, a moral victory.

Let us at Gluckstein Lawyers help you through this process. Our years of experience will afford you exemplary service that will keep you from facing this unfortunate situation alone.