The types of damages in personal injury cases

You may have heard a personal injury lawyer or someone else mention the term "damages." Damages is a legal word that refers to the loss or injury to a person or property. Generally, there are three types of damages: (1) general, (2) special, and (3) punitive. General damages means things like pain and suffering, physical disability, disfigurement, permanent scars, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of love and affection, and emotional harm. Some people calls these non-economic damages. Special damages refers to medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning potential, out-of-pocket expenses, and things of that nature. These are often called economic damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish and deter intentional and wrongful conduct, and are generally not the subject of a personal injury lawsuit.