What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Previous posts on this blog have talked about the different forms of compensation that injured construction workers can recover after being involved in a construction accident.

Oftentimes, it is necessary for Altoona workers, as well as those who live and work in other parts of Central Pennsylvania, to get as much compensation for their injuries as possible. Construction accidents after all, all too commonly lead to serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and the like.

After injuries like these, an injured construction worker may well need permanent medical care and may not be able to work in the construction industry or even at all. He or she will have to find a means of support.

In both the worlds of worker’s compensation and personal injury tort claims, compensation for economic losses like medical bills and a portion of one’s lost income is available. However, these are not the only damages an injured construction worker will suffer.

They will also have to go through a lot physical pain and suffering and emotional distress, for instance. Moreover, they may not be able to do the things they were once able to have fun doing.

These sorts of damages are called non-economic damages or general damages. As one can guess, they are somewhat harder to quantify. No one, after all, gets a bill for his or her pain and suffering like he or she would get a medical bill from a doctor.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are very real, and a victim of a construction accident may be able to recover them should it be appropriate for the injured worker to file a civil lawsuit.