Three Personal Injury Claims for Slip-and-Fall Accidents

When it comes to personal injury cases for slip-and-fall accidents, there are three types of claims the plaintiff (or injured party) can argue: punitive damages, general damages, and special damages. Before making your claim, it’s important to familiarize yourself with what each claim entails and how it can affect you now and in the long run. Additionally, it’s important to partner with a team of trusted personal injury professionals to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve while providing support during this stressful time.

You don’t have to do this alone; Peters Law Firm is here to help you. Call today to book a consultation with our personal injury lawyers in Iowa.

Punitive Damages vs. Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages in a personal injury claim are intended to compensate the injured party for losses due to the defendant’s negligence or wrongful conduct. They are designed to “make the plaintiff whole” by covering both economic and non-economic losses.

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are what a defendant must pay in addition to compensatory damages when said damages are deemed insufficient. They are looked at as a punishment for a defendant who commits a reckless offense, such as drunk driving, and are often used to deter other parties from acting out on the same behavior. Before awarding punitive damages, the court must assess whether the defendant’s actions were malicious, intentional, or grossly negligent and if similar punitive damage cases were awarded compensation.

Economic Damages

Special damages, or economic damages, are compensation for the expenses you incur from an injury due to someone else’s negligence. This can include past and future medical expenses, property damage expenses, and lost wages from missing work. Special damages differ from general damages as they can be applied to specific costs as opposed to general compensation for intangible damages.

Non-Economic Damages

General damages, or non-economic damages, are compensation one can receive from a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence without an exact monetary value. These injuries encapsulate intangible injuries that are more subjective and harder to distinguish from the public’s point of view. This claim covers a wide range of damages that include:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress (increased stress, anxiety, depression)
• Physical impairment or disability (i.e., inability to walk)
• Disfigurement (i.e., loss of a limb, permanent scarring)
• Mental health issues
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium (loss of marital benefits)
• Future losses

Call a Lawyer at Peters Law Firm

The Peters Law Firm team will always work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your personal injury. In practice since 1895, we are well-versed in the legal requirements for Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. When you choose to work with us, you can expect to benefit from our expertise in the field, negotiation skills, and reduced stress on your part. Put your trust in us to navigate your case and fight for your rights as best we can.

Reach out to a personal injury attorney for your slip-and-fall accident to get started on your case.