What Damages Are Awarded In A Maryland Personal Injury Case?

Determining Damages in Personal Injury Claims in Maryland

Personal injury cases are complex and require extensive knowledge of the legal system. In Maryland, the damages awarded in a personal injury case depend on several factors unique to each situation. Understanding what types of damages can be sought is important for those that have been injured in an accident due to another’s negligence or intentional action. This article will provide an overview of the different kinds of damages available under Maryland law when filing a personal injury lawsuit.

In the event that you have been injured in a Maryland personal injury accident, the lawyers at Blank Kim Injury Law will thoroughly investigate your case, review your medical records, and prepare your case for trial.

We will then take it to court to secure the money you need to pay your medical bills and the other costs associated with your injuries, including lost wages. Our personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in Maryland. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Local hospitals that treat personal injuries caused by neglect:

  • Union Memorial Hospital
  • Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center
  • University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
  • Advanced Medical Center

What Is A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Personal injury lawsuits are legal claims brought by individuals who have suffered an injury or illness due to another party’s negligence. For example, a man in Maryland was injured after slipping on wet flooring at his doctor's office and decided to file a personal injury lawsuit against the doctor for failing to provide a safe environment for patients. In cases like this, plaintiffs may be entitled to damages that can help them recoup losses related to medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages in certain situations.

In Maryland, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering may not exceed $750 thousand dollars; however, there is no limit on economic damages, including medical expenses and lost wages. Punitive damages in Maryland are also available, but they require clear evidence of malicious intent or extreme recklessness from the defendant. When filing a personal injury claim in Maryland, it is important to understand both your rights and the potential outcomes of such litigation. Consulting with experienced attorneys familiar with these matters can help ensure you receive fair restitution for injuries sustained through no fault of your own.

Types Of Damages Awarded In A Maryland Personal Injury Case

When a person sustains an injury in Maryland due to the negligence of another, they may be entitled to compensation for their losses. The two primary categories of damages awarded in a Maryland personal injury case are compensatory and punitive.

  • Compensatory damages seek to make up for economic and non-economic losses resulting from the injury sustained, while punitive damages are used as punishment against individuals who acted with malice or gross negligence. Economic damage awards include reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages and replacement services such as child care, home maintenance or yard work. Non-economic awards cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium and other intangible harms caused by the incident.
  • Punitive damages may also be granted in certain circumstances if it can be proven that the defendant’s actions were malicious or grossly negligent toward the plaintiff. Punitive damage awards serve both to punish egregious behavior and deter others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. An experienced personal injury attorney should be consulted before proceeding with any claim so all potential avenues of recovery can be explored properly.
  • Economic damages refer to financial costs associated with an injury, such as medical bills, lost wages or any other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the incident.
  • Non-economic damages are more subjective and can compensate for pain and suffering caused by the accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine what amount is reasonable, given these factors. Punitive damages may also be available under certain conditions if it can be established that the defendant acted with malice or gross negligence.

A knowledgeable attorney familiar with Maryland tort law can advise victims on how best to pursue a claim and ensure they receive appropriate compensation for their injuries. Representation from legal counsel greatly improves the chances of receiving proper reimbursement for all types of damages sustained from a personal injury situation.

Economic And Non-Economic Damages

When it comes to personal injury cases in Maryland, economic and non-economic damages may be awarded. Economic damages are intended to compensate for financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages due to missed work. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, provide compensation for intangible losses such as pain and suffering or mental anguish caused by an accident.

In order to receive any kind of compensation from a personal injury case, individuals must demonstrate liability on behalf of another party responsible for their injuries through evidence. This could range from eyewitness accounts to video surveillance footage proving negligence was involved in causing the accident, which resulted in harm. Once responsibility is established, plaintiffs will have the opportunity to seek monetary awards related to both economic and non-economic damages incurred as a result of their injuries. Medical bills make up the majority of economic damage claims, while pain and suffering typically fall under non-economic categories when filing a claim; however, only an experienced legal professional can assess what type of award might be applicable based on individual circumstances.

It is important for those seeking compensation after being injured in an accident involving negligence to understand all potential avenues available when pursuing legal action against offenders. Whether looking at recovering lost wages or attempting to gain enough funds for necessary medical care following an incident resulting in bodily harm, understanding the difference between economic vs non-economic damages allows one to take full advantage of the laws surrounding personal injury cases throughout Maryland.

Negligence And Pain And Suffering

"No man is an island," and no personal injury case is complete without considering the damages that are awarded. In a Maryland personal injury case, negligence and pain and suffering may be taken into account when calculating compensatory damages.

Compensatory damages can include financial losses such as medical costs and lost wages and non-economic losses like emotional distress or loss of consortium. Pain and suffering falls under this umbrella, and it may cover physical discomfort caused by the injury, mental anguish from dealing with the aftermath of an accident, or any other form of trauma associated with the incident:

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: This includes physical pain experienced due to injuries sustained in an accident.
  • Mental Anguish: The stress from being injured can cause immense psychological distress for individuals who have been wrongfully harmed in an accident. Emotional issues like fear, anxiety, depression, humiliation, shock and more could all be considered here.
  • Loss Of Consortium: When one spouse suffers harm due to another's negligence, they may experience a decrease in quality of life or companionship which could lead to them seeking compensation for their loss.

These elements should all be weighed carefully when making determinations on how much a person might receive after going through an unfortunate situation like a personal injury case. It requires careful consideration so that justice is served accordingly while accounting for those affected by the incident at hand.

Medical Malpractice And Punitive Damages

In personal injury cases, medical malpractice and punitive damages are two different types of damages that can be awarded to an injured plaintiff in Maryland. Medical malpractice damages generally compensate for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, or disability resulting from the defendant's negligence. Punitive damages are a form of compensatory damage that may be awarded when it is deemed necessary to punish a defendant by deterring similar wrongful acts or behavior in the future.

The amount of punitive damages available under Maryland law is not unlimited; there is a cap on punitive damages set at twice the amount of economic loss plus any non-economic losses suffered by the victim. In addition to these categories of damages, plaintiffs may also receive compensation for future medical expenses related to their injuries. It should be noted that while these awards vary based on individual circumstances, they provide important financial relief for those who have been wrongfully harmed due to another’s negligent conduct.

Understanding The Cap On Punitive Damages

Personal injury cases in Maryland involve awarding damages to an accident victim. In some instances, punitive damages can be awarded as well. Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future similar conduct. A cap on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded is set by law, making it important for those seeking compensation from a personal injury case to understand this limitation.

An example of this limitation arose in 2007 when a jury ruling allowed a truck driver injured while working to receive $3 million in compensatory damages plus $2 million in punitive damages. The court ultimately reduced the awardable amount of punitive damages to $350 thousand because the state had placed a cap on punitive awards at four times compensatory damage awards or $500 thousand, whichever number was larger. This decision illustrates how even with substantial evidence and high amounts of compensatory damages awarded, there could still be limitations on what kind of award will actually be granted once a verdict has been reached.

In light of these restrictions, understanding the cap on punitive damages associated with personal injury cases in Maryland is essential for any party involved in such proceedings so they have clear expectations from the start about how much money may potentially be recovered should their case make it through trial successfully. It also allows parties to more accurately weigh out other options available outside of litigation if they believe their injuries would result in higher costs than what they might recover due to legal limits already established by the state legislature.

Strategies For Maximizing A Damages Award

Maximizing a damages award in a Maryland personal injury case is like shooting for the stars: achievable but by no means easy. To ensure you get the most out of your case and receive proper compensation for your loss, it’s important to understand the types of damages available. Damages are meant to compensate an injured party for their losses, both economic and non-economic.

Economic damages include lost wages due to missed work, medical expenses related to injuries sustained from the accident, and property damage caused by the accident. Non-economic damages may cover pain and suffering resulting from emotional or physical distress as well as any permanent disability that has been incurred due to the incident. Depending on the severity of one's injuries, these non-economic damages can far exceed any economic costs associated with the accident itself.

It’s crucial to consult an experienced attorney who can navigate all aspects of a personal injury claim and help maximize your potential recovery. An attorney will have knowledge of local laws governing such cases, insurance company policies regarding settlements, jury verdicts in similar cases and applicable statutes of limitation which dictate when claims must be filed before they become invalidated. With this information at hand, an attorney can form strong strategies that could lead to higher awards than those initially offered by insurers or opposing attorneys.

Benefits Of Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney For A Maryland Personal Injury Case

Hiring a personal injury attorney for a Maryland personal injury case can be beneficial. Experienced Maryland lawyers are knowledgeable of the applicable laws and regulations that govern such cases, including case law and awarding damages. For example, when filing a lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation for medical expenses due to an accident, an experienced lawyer will know how to navigate through court proceedings and present evidence properly.

Here are five benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney:

  1. They understand the legalities involved in the case - Lawyers with experience dealing with similar cases understand the complexities associated with them as well as the tactics used by insurance companies to try and deny claims or reduce their value.
  2. They handle negotiations on behalf of clients - When it comes time to negotiate settlements with insurers or other defendants involved in an accident, attorneys use their skillset to secure greater amounts than those initially offered by insurers.
  3. They have access to supporting resources- Attorneys have access to experts who provide valuable insight into complex issues related to a case, increasing the chances of success for their client's claim.
  4. They take care of the paperwork- Filing lawsuits correctly is key for any successful outcome; attorneys are trained professionals at completing legal documents accurately and timely.
  5. Call our Maryland office today- If you've been injured in an accident and need help recovering just monetary awards from responsible parties, call our Maryland office today! We'll connect you with one of our experienced attorneys who can work hard to get you what you deserve out of your personal injury case.

The advantages mentioned above illustrate why having an experienced lawyer representing your interests during litigation is essential if seeking maximum recovery after sustaining injuries caused by another party’s negligence or intentional act. A qualified lawyer understands how best to approach each aspect of a particular case while also considering outside factors such as statutes of limitation, which may limit potential outcomes without swift action taken toward resolution. With this being said, ensure you enlist professional legal assistance immediately so that all rights afforded under state law are fully protected throughout settlement discussions and/or trial proceedings.

Free Consultation And Experienced Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers

A free consultation with experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers is like a lighthouse beacon for those seeking justice. It serves as an invaluable opportunity to understand the types of damages that may be awarded in a Maryland personal injury case. When considering damages, clients should know their rights and what they are entitled to by law, so having access to trustworthy legal advice from competent professionals is essential.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In Maryland, personal injury lawyers must meet specific qualifications and standards to represent injured clients. Blank Kim Injury Law are licensed to practice law in Maryland. They have gone through rigorous education and training to become knowledgeable in the laws pertaining to personal injury lawsuits.

Blank Kim Injury Law have helped clients throughout Maryland recover money for damages caused by accidents ranging from automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and product liability. Contact us today to speak with a Maryland personal injury lawyer about your case.

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Aaron Blank Esq
Date Published: February 7, 2023
Aaron Blank is a patient safety advocate who holds the healthcare system responsible when it fails. He keeps businesses accountable if they choose profits over the safety of the community, and he ensures car insurance companies pay their fair share for the harm that reckless drivers cause. Aaron and his proficient legal team bring an approach based on dedication, guidance, and compassion through the difficult process of pursuing serious injury claims. He has dedicated his career to fighting for injury victims to recover losses from medical expenses, lost income, loss of enjoyment of life, or the loss of a loved one.
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This website is by Blank Kim P.C. d/b/a Blank Kim Injury Law. We have offices throughout Maryland with attorneys licensed to practice law in the state of  Maryland. Use of this site does not form an attorney-client relationship and information herein shall not be construed as legal advice. This website is to be considered as ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Past settlement and verdict values are no guarantee of similar future outcomes. This firm may retain local counsel to prosecute cases. This website has not been approved by the Court of Appeals of Maryland or the Maryland State Bar. Cases may be co-counselled or referred to other firms for litigation.
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