Personal injury is a legal term that refers to any physical or psychological injury caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, or entity. When a person suffers a personal injury, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. There are two main types of personal injury compensation damages: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured party “whole” again by compensating them for their losses. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Compensatory damages are typically awarded in an effort to make the injured party as close to their pre-injury state as possible.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions. These damages are not intended to compensate the injured party, but rather to send a message to the wrongdoer that their actions are not acceptable. Punitive damages are usually awarded in cases where the wrongdoer’s actions were particularly egregious or malicious.
In some cases, both compensatory and punitive damages may be awarded. This is usually done when the wrongdoer’s actions were particularly egregious or malicious, and the compensatory damages alone are not enough to make the injured party whole again. In these cases, the court may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages in order to punish the wrongdoer and deter them from similar behavior in the future.
When a person suffers a personal injury, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. There are two main types of personal injury compensation damages: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured party “whole” again by compensating them for their losses, while punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions. In some cases, both compensatory and punitive damages may be awarded in order to make the injured party whole again and to deter the wrongdoer from similar behavior in the future.
