Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Request Free ConsultationWhen people talk about economic vs. non-economic damages, they are usually trying to explain how different types of losses are handled in a personal injury case. Economic damages are tied to things you can add up on paper, while non-economic damages cover the personal side of what the accident has taken from you. Both matter, and both should be included in your personal injury claim in Nashville, TN.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages account for the money you have lost or will need to spend because of an injury. These are things you can usually document on paper, like medical bills, receipts, or pay stubs. In a personal injury case, this part of your claim helps show how the accident has affected your life in ways that are easy to measure.
Medical Costs and Lost Wages After an Accident
After an accident, your expenses can pile up quickly. Emergency care, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and medication can all count toward your medical damages. If you missed work during recovery, those lost wages may also be included. Some people also deal with long-term limitations that affect how much they can earn moving forward. This is called loss of earning capacity and can usually be calculated and quantified.
Receipts, Records, and Other Proof of Financial Loss
To claim economic damages, you will need to show where the money went. That might include receipts from a hospital visit, mileage logs for medical travel, or copies of pay stubs. Keeping everything in one place can help make the process smoother and support your claim if questions come up along the way.
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What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages cover the parts of an injury that do not come with a receipt. Things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, stress, and changes to your daily routine fall into this category.
According to Tennessee Code § 29-39-102, there is a limit on how much someone can receive for this type of harm in most cases, but that does not make what you went through any less real. This part of a personal injury claim is about what the crash took from you, beyond the bills.
Pain, Emotional Harm, and Loss of Enjoyment
After car accidents, it is common to deal with pain that lingers, fear that sticks around, or a sense that your life feels different now. You may be unable to do activities you used to love or feel on edge even in safe situations. These changes do not show up in test results, but they still affect your life in ways that matter. Reach out to our experienced car accident lawyer in Nashville for a free case review.
How the Court Considers Non-Economic Harm
Courts and insurance companies often look at how the injury changed your day-to-day life. In cases involving Nashville truck accidents or other serious crashes, your ability to work, keep up with your responsibilities, or enjoy your normal routine may all be part of what gets reviewed. Details like journal entries, doctor notes, and even photos can help give a clearer picture of how you have been affected.
Examples of Economic and Non-Economic Losses
After a crash, some things are obvious, like the ER bill or the time you missed from work. However, a lot of what people deal with does not come with a receipt. Some of it shows up days later. Some of it changes how your day feels, even if no one else can see it. Here are a few examples to get you thinking:
- Out-of-pocket medical costs
- Missed paychecks or reduced hours
- Repairs or replacement for your car
- Pain that sticks around and makes basic things harder
- Mood changes, stress, or just not feeling like yourself
- Losing interest in things you used to look forward to
- Tension at home or feeling distant from people
There is no perfect way to list out what you are going through, but this might help you start putting it into words.