In the state of Colorado, whenever a person suffers an injury caused by an accident, or through an incident that was the result of another person’s actions, he or she can to file a personal injury claim seeking financial restitution. The restitution demanded is meant to cover the cost of the victim’s injuries, and is called “damages.”
Damages are ordered by the courts as a means to helping the accident victim heal; while monetary compensation cannot completely help a victim return to his or her state prior to the accident, it can certainly ease the recovery process. Furthermore, damages given to an accident victim can also be used to relieve any financial or emotional burdens that could have resulted from the injury.
With many personal injury cases, courts often award damages for all of the past expenses that directly resulted from the victim’s injuries. These expenses can range from medical treatment expenses, to loss of wages from being unable to work. When issuing damages, the judge and jury both determine an exact dollar amount that they believe the victim is entitled to receive for his or her suffering.
In Colorado, the victim’s attorney is responsible for providing evidence to support his or her reasons as to why their proposed dollar amount is reasonable and should be paid.
Future Damages
In addition to damages awarded due to what was lost in an accident, accident victims are also eligible to file for “future damages.” These types of damages are calculated and issued to cover any future expenses an accident victim may suffer due to his or her injury. Future damages could cover:
- Any future medical treatments or expenses;
- Any loss of income the victim may suffer in the future, as a result of being unable to work at an old job or because of new disabilities; and
- Any pain and suffering, scarring, or disfigurement they will endure as a result of the accident or incident.
Overall, calculating future damages is definitely more difficult than calculating damages for already-existing injuries. Once the courts issue the official dollar amount that an accident victim is allowed to receive, the victim is unable to demand additional damages for any unforeseen outcomes that may occur. Therefore, it is imperative to cover all bases when calculating future damages.
Having a personal injury lawyer trusts can be imperative to determining and securing future damages. To consult with a firm experienced in doing so, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney today.