How are Compensatory Damages Used in Personal Injury Law?
Compensatory damages are the basis for personal injury claims. Most injury victims who do not have damages will not file a claim against a defendant. As a part of the legal process for proving a personal injury case, plaintiffs must show damages they suffered and the direct correlation between those damages and the injury.
Famous Cases in Which Compensatory Damages Were Used
Grimshaw V. Ford Motor Company (1978)
In 1978, a jury awarded over $2.8 million in compensatory damages to Lilly Gray’s family and Richard Grimshaw, after Gray was killed and Grimshaw was severely burned in a Ford Pinto after a rear-end impact. The plaintiffs argued that Ford Motor Company knew of a defect in the Pinto’s design that caused explosion and fire in the event of rear-end impacts. The jury also awarded $125,000 in punitive damages, which the trial judge reduced to $3.5 million.
When are Compensatory Damages Used in the Legal Process?
Compensatory damages are used throughout the legal process. When a claim is filed, compensatory damages should be calculated and include projected losses and medical bills. The calculation for compensatory damages can also help in negotiations with insurance companies, as they give a clear breakdown of what is needed to make the victim financially whole after the injury.
Should a case go to trial, personal injury trial lawyers need to paint a picture for the jury and argue for realistic compensatory damages. Juries can then award compensatory damages based on the evidence presented.
Are Compensatory Damages Used in Kentucky Personal Injury Law?
Yes. Compensatory damages are used in Kentucky personal injury law and can include economic and non-economic damages.
Are Compensatory Damages Used in Tennessee Personal Injury Law?
Yes. Compensatory damages are used in Tennessee personal injury law.
How Does Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers Use Compensatory Damages?
The personal injury attorneys at Hughes & Coleman have worked with injury victims long enough to know what questions to ask to help you calculate the total in compensatory damages. Once they work with you to calculate the total, they will discuss the circumstances surrounding your accident to get a better idea of realistic settlement amounts and a goal for your claim.
They will then use the calculation to help them negotiate with big companies and greedy insurance companies to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
In cases that go to trial, our injury lawyers will use the calculation of compensatory damages to find tell your story to the jury, in an effort to get the highest award possible.
