If you or a loved one were injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent acts of a person or business, you have a right to seek compensation for the harm and losses you have suffered as a result of those injuries by filing a Manhattan Beach personal injury claim.
In a personal injury claim, this compensation is referred to as “damages.” Their purpose is to restore, as best as possible, an injured person’s life to the way it was before the accident occurred by assigning a dollar value on the harm the plaintiff has suffered.
Depending on the circumstances, plaintiffs can recover compensation for economic damages, non-economic damages, punitive damages, or wrongful death damages in a Manhattan Beach personal injury claim.
Economic Damages in a Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Claim
The most common type of damages awarded in a personal injury claim is economic damages. These are damages whose value can be determined objectively, based on verifiable monetary losses. They can include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future impairments
- Lost income/loss of earning capacity
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to compensation for non-monetary losses. The amounts awarded for non-economic damages can vary widely since they are based on a subjective evaluation of a plaintiff’s loss. Non-economic damages in a include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of society, consortium or companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded to compensate any loss – they are damages awarded for the purpose of punishing the defendant for their actions. In California, a plaintiff may seek punitive damages in cases where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud or malice.
Wrongful Death Damages
Wrongful death damages compensate the surviving family members for the personal losses they suffered as a result of their loved one’s death. They can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Deceased’s medical and hospital bills
- Loss of income
- Loss of love, community, moral support, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
You have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit. This time limit is outlined in each state’s statute of limitations laws. Different states have different time limits for filing different types of lawsuits. California requires that personal injury claims be filed within two years of the injury date.
Learn more about when to file a personal injury claim
It’s a common question, but there isn’t an easy answer. Some cases settle within weeks or months. However, there are times when it can take a year or more.
When someone suffers an injury in California due to someone else’s negligence, they can seek compensation for their damages. Due to California’s comparative negligence law, you can be limited in how much you can recover based on how much your actions contributed to the accident.
For instance, say you were hit by a driver who ran a red light, but you were speeding when the accident occurred. In this case, you may be found partially at fault for the accident. The damages you recover would be reduced by the percentage of fault you were determined to have in the wreck.
Read more about comparative negligence
Get Help Recovering Damages in a Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Claim
If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered a serious injury as a result, don’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC. We have been successfully representing accident victims in Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Torrance and other LA area communities in a wide variety of personal injury claims for over 30 years. We are here to offer our assistance and provide you with the experienced representation you need to obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Give our office a call at 310-318-1220 to schedule a meeting with one of our Manhattan Beach personal injury attorneys. The sooner you meet with us, the sooner we can begin moving forward with your claim.
Worried you can’t afford top-notch legal representation? Our personal injury lawyers in Manhattan Beach represent clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything unless and until we win your case – your legal fees come directly out of the compensation you’re awarded, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying any up-front charges while you await your settlement.
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