Non-Economic Damages in Knoxville Personal Injury Lawsuits: What Are They, Is There a Cap, and How Can a Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer Help You?
If you were injured in an accident in Knoxville due to another person or party’s negligent or otherwise at-fault conduct, you likely already understand the serious financial costs of medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses. However, the truth of the matter is that beyond the bills that start to mount, many Knoxville personal injury accident victims also suffer losses that are harder to measure, like pain, emotional stress, anxiety, trauma, or a reduced quality of life. Tennessee personal injury laws aim to make Knoxville accident victims “whole” when their injuries and losses have been caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Part of this equation is compensation for these types of injuries, that is, the pain and suffering and emotional anguish associated with the trauma. This category of compensation is called “non-economic damages.” But what exactly are non-economic damages, and is there a limit to how much an injured Knoxville accident victim can recover? We answer those questions here.
What Are Non-Economic Damages in a Knoxville Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Simply put, non-economic damages compensate a personal injury victim in Knoxville for the emotional, intangible losses associated with an accident. These damages cover the physical and emotional hardships that do not have receipts or bills attached, like economic damages (for example, compensation for medical expenses or lost property) do. Non-economic damages in a Knoxville personal injury lawsuit may include ongoing physical pain, difficulty sleeping, fear of driving after a crash, embarrassment from scarring, or loss of enjoyment of everyday activities. For many Knoxville personal injury victims, the reality is that these losses often affect their lives more deeply than paying out necessary medical expenses or property damage. In a Knoxville personal injury case, non-economic damages try to account for the suffering and life changes that an accident causes, even though they cannot easily be measured in dollars and cents.
Are There Caps on Non-Economic Damages Under Tennessee Laws?
It is important for Knoxville personal injury victims to know that there is a limit on non-economic damages (also known as a “cap”) under Tennessee laws. In fact, Tennessee laws cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases statewide. Under the Tennessee Code, non-economic damages are generally limited to $750,000. This applies to pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar harm. Speaking with an experienced Knoxville personal injury lawyer is the best way to determine whether you are owed non-economic damages in your Knoxville personal injury case, and how much you may be owed.
Getting Legal Help in Knoxville to Recover Compensation Due to You
If you were injured in the Knoxville area and you need legal help getting compensation due to you under Tennessee personal injury laws, do not delay in speaking with a lawyer about your case. The experienced Knoxville personal injury lawyers at the law firm Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC are here to help victims of serious accidents in Knoxville get justice under Tennessee laws. Contact Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.