Compensation Limits on Texas Personal Injuries

 Posted on December 27, 2023 in Personal Injury

After suffering injuries in an accident, it may cross your mind how much compensation for damages you can receive. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not simple, and you can expect many factors to affect the compensation for your personal injury claims. Different types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit must be addressed before compensation can be calculated appropriately. A skilled attorney with experience in personal injury cases is incredibly useful to preserve your rights and ensure a potentially larger compensation amount than you would otherwise.

The Types of Damages One Can Expect in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

There are three primary categories of damages you can expect covered in a personal injury lawsuit:

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages
• Punitive damages

Damages in Texas are calculated and awarded by a jury unless both parties agree to have a judge decide. Each category covers something specific, such as your accident's financial, emotional, and physical damages.

Economic Damages

Otherwise known as financial hardship damages, these damages compensate the injured party for out-of-pocket expenses. These are for the future and are already paid expenses. The damages can include the following:

• Your medical bill costs, which include treatment, surgeries, medication, doctor visits, and physical therapy
• Wages you would have earned had you not been unavailable for work due to your injuries
• Suffering a permanent disability could see you entitled to additional compensation for a loss in future earning capacity
• Property repairs or replacement that suffered damages, such as the vehicle you were driving in

Non-economic Damages

The general damages the injured party may have experienced because of their injuries are considered non-economic damages. Any emotional or physical pain the injured party has suffered or continues to suffer due to their injuries can be compensated. Non-economic damages may include:

• Physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress
• Mental anguish such as insomnia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Injuries that caused a strain on the romantic relationship of the injured party

Punitive Damages

Though rare, a court awards punitive damages in some circumstances if they feel the injured party's injuries were incurred due to the intentional or reckless acts of the individual or individuals who caused them. These damages often act as a deterrent to others who may engage in a similar way.

Punitive damages are not always awarded and are done so almost entirely to punish the defendant for their actions. Particularly egregious acts will often see a larger amount awarded in compensation.

Factors That Affect Compensation Amounts

Compensation amounts vary based on many factors, which include:

• How old the victim was at the time the injuries were sustained
• The severity of the injuries suffered
• The defendant's actions that led up to the injuries
• The occupation of the victim
• If the injured party has any fault in the accident

Contact a Fort Worth, TX Personal Injury Attorney

The compensation you can receive for injuries suffered in an accident in Texas is varied. There is no limit to the compensation you can seek in a Texas personal injury case. As the statute of limitations in Texas for personal injury claims is only two years from the accident date, you would be wise to consult a Dallas, TX personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The Clark Law Group will fight for every penny of the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm at 469-906-2266 to discuss your case.