What are Damages for Catastrophic Injuries After an Alaska Accident?
You can tell from the terminology that catastrophic injuries involve some of the most physically debilitating harm a person can endure. However, there is also a specific definition used by catastrophic injury researchers when studying the implications of accidents in Alaska. They include trauma that causes permanent functional disability, as well as those that lead to temporary disability with full recovery later. Victims may suffer catastrophic injuries in car collisions, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, slips and falls, and many other types of accidents.
If you suffer such severe harm in an accident, your life could be turned around as you attempt to recover. The implications will affect you physically, financially, and emotionally. Fortunately, Alaska personal injury laws allow to you recover damages for the full extent of your losses. An Anchorage catastrophic injuries lawyer will help you pursue the at-fault party for the following:
Economic Damages
Compensation is meant to make you whole after an accident, and some of your losses will be definable in nature. Your medical costs are a large portion of economic damages since you may need such medical services as:
- Care from EMTs at the scene;
- Ambulance transport;
- Treatment in the emergency room;
- Imaging tests, including MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, and others;
- Surgery;
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy;
- At-home care from skilled nurses; and,
- Many others.
You can recover damages for these amounts, as well as others that are tangible and measurable. For instance, you may obtain amounts for lost wages if you missed work because of your catastrophic injuries.
Noneconomic Damages
There are other losses you sustain after an accident, and though they may not be easily measurable in dollar value, you most certainly endure hardship. Noneconomic damages cover the consequences that diminish your quality of life. They include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Physical impairment;
- Scarring and disfigurement; and,
- Losses that affect your personal relationships with a spouse and children.
Punitive Damages
There is another type of damages in an accident claim that is not meant to compensate or reimburse you for your losses. These are termed punitive damages, and they aim to punish the wrongdoer who caused your catastrophic injuries. In doing so, punitive damages also discourage others from engaging in the same behavior.
Punitive damages are not available in most cases based upon negligence, but a victim can seek them after some incidents. You might pursue punitive damages if:
- The conduct was outrageous, malicious, and shows bad motives; or,
- The person behaved with reckless indifference to the safety and interests of another person.
The most you can recover as punitive damages is the greater of three times your compensation damages or $500,000.
Consult With an Alaska Catastrophic Injury Lawyer About Your Rights
Because of the extensive consequences of catastrophic injuries, it is critical to pursue all types of damages available in your case. For more information about your options, please contact Power & Power Law. You can reach our offices in Anchorage, Alaska, by calling 907-222-9990 or visiting us online. We can schedule a free consultation with an Alaska personal injuries attorney who will advise you on the next steps.