09/14/2026
Damages are your compensation. In most personal injury cases, there are damages for medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, property loss, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment.
These are called compensatory damages, and are intended to compensate you for what you lost as a result of your accident.
When the negligence or recklessness on the part of the liable party is especially egregious, punitive damages may also be pursued.
Punitive damages are above and beyond compensatory damages, and are meant to punish a party for the egregious behavior.