Overview of Compensatory Damages for Denver Residents

Compensatory damages are those that compensate victims of accidents for any damages they incur as a result of their injuries or the accident. They serve to make the victim “whole” again to as high of an extent as possible.

There are many types of damages that are classified as compensatory and some of them are intangible and more difficult financially classify. If you are a victim of an accident, contact Colorado injury attorneys to review your damages and for help filing a claim.

Types of Damages

If you are in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, compensatory damages cover monetary expenses such as vehicle damage from the accident and medical bills stemming from any injuries you suffer. If you missed work because of your injury, these damages would cover that as well.

Compensatory damages can include non-monetary damages as well. For example, if you suffer from severe pain, damages may cover pain and suffering as well. If the accident was traumatic and you suffer from anxiety or insomnia as a result, you could claim emotional distress.

If you become disabled and lost the ability to do the activities you once enjoyed, you could claim loss of enjoyment of life. Consult with Colorado injury attorneys to determine what types of damages you are entitled to receive whether economic or non-economic.

The Many Types of Evidence You’ll Need to Get Your Compensatory Damages

In proving damages, evidence will be necessary, including:

  • medical bills;
  • repair bills;
  • evidence of lost wages; and
  • other documentation outlining the economical damages you have experienced.

Proving non-economical damages may be more difficult. In some cases, the economical damages may be simply multiplied by a certain number to arrive at an amount awarded for total damages that can be influenced by:

  • recovery time;
  • severity of injuries; and
  • whether you are permanently disabled.

Aside from compensatory damages, punitive damages may be awarded in some cases as well. These are intended to punish the defendant for gross negligence or causing intentional harm and not necessarily to compensate the plaintiff. However, the plaintiff who brings the lawsuit may still receive some of these damages.

The law in most states expects plaintiffs in personal injury cases to take reasonable steps to minimize or “mitigate” the financial impact of the harm caused by the accident. If an injured plaintiff just sits back and rests on their proverbial laurels when it isn’t reasonable to do so (by failing to get necessary medical treatment after an accident, and making their injuries much worse, for example) a damage award might be significantly reduced.

Contacting a Colorado Injury Attorney

If you are injured as a result of an accident caused by another party, you could be entitled to file a claim to recover damages. The Law Office of D.J. Banovitz can help you with your case and can fight for your rights to compensation. Call (303) 300-5060 to discuss compensatory damages and request your free booklet 7 Costly Mistakes that can Ruin Your Colorado Injury Case.

D.J. Banovitz’ career has always concentrated on trial practice and he has litigated hundreds of cases. His passion and sole career focus has been to seek justice for people suffering from personal injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence. The hallmark of the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz, is the total commitment to professionalism, quality, and personalized care of your injury case. D.J. has dedicated his professional life to helping those most in need and is a proud and active member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. His experience includes volunteering for Colorado Rural Legal Services in Montrose, the Colorado Aids Project, consumer law, family law, criminal defense, and Alternative Defense Counsel for juveniles in Denver.