An accident. A moment of negligence that causes a painful injury. Now your world is upside down. Medical bills are piling up, paychecks have stopped, and the stress of staying afloat is overwhelming. You didn’t ask for this.
If you suffered an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Texas law gives you the right to pursue compensation for your losses. However, these compensation laws come with their own set of questions:
- What are economic damages?
- Which damages are available for your personal injury case?
- How do you know what you’re entitled to?
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we help you understand your rights, clarify what compensation makes sense, and fight to recover every dollar you deserve. In this guide, we’ll explain economic damages, how they differ from others, and how you can pursue them after an injury.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages refer to the measurable financial losses you’ve suffered due to an accident or injury caused by someone else’s negligence. You can calculate these damages with receipts, bills, and wage statements.
Texas law defines economic damages as part of compensatory damages, which are those intended to make the injured person whole again. They include both past and future financial losses.
Why Do These Damages Matter?
A common question clients ask us is, What are economic damages in a personal injury case? Those asking this question are usually trying to understand how to recover the financial stability they’ve lost.
Economic damages help ensure:
- You don’t go into debt trying to pay medical bills you didn’t cause,
- You’re not punished financially for taking time off to heal, and
- You receive compensation for the future income and opportunities you may lose due to your injuries.
We work closely with medical providers, vocational experts, and financial professionals to accurately document your economic losses and build a strong case for full compensation.
Types of Economic Damages for Personal Injury Victims
Some common examples of personal injury economic damages include:
- Medical expenses. These include everything from emergency care and surgeries to rehabilitation and follow-up appointments. If your injuries require long-term treatment or future care, those costs should also be calculated and included.
- Lost income. If your injury kept you from working or forced you to take a lower-paying position, those lost wages or earning potential are recoverable as part of your economic damages.
- Loss of future earning capacity. Severe injuries may limit your ability to work in your chosen profession or reduce your ability to work at all. In these cases, we may use economic experts to estimate how much income you will likely lose over your lifetime.
- Out-of-pocket expenses. These can include travel to medical appointments, medical equipment, over-the-counter medications, in-home care, or household help you now require because of your injuries.
- Property damage. In car and truck accident cases, the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle or damaged property are part of your economic damages.
Because of the wide range of damages available, an experienced attorney can help you determine the true cost of what is owed to you.
How Do You Prove Economic Damages?
To successfully claim personal injury economic damages, you’ll need strong documentation. The more thorough your records, the stronger your case.
Helpful evidence includes:
- Medical bills and insurance statements;
- Pay stubs and employer statements;
- Tax returns to prove lost income or self-employment losses;
- Receipts for medical supplies, prescriptions, or home modifications; and
- Expert testimony (medical or financial) of future expenses.
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we handle all the details, including gathering, organizing, and presenting evidence to ensure nothing is overlooked. Our team has the experience and resources to pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf.
What Is the Difference Between Economic and Noneconomic Damages?
It is important to understand the difference between the two types. Economic damages are your measurable financial losses. They have a price tag. Noneconomic damages refer to more subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of companionship.
Texas law allows for both types of damages in personal injury cases, but economic damages often form the backbone of your claim because they are easier to quantify and prove.
How Much Are Economic Damages Worth?
There’s no one-size-fits-all number. The value of your economic damages depends on:
- The severity of your injuries,
- The cost of your medical treatment,
- How long you cannot work,
- Whether you can return to your previous job, and
- Any future needs related to your injury.
That’s why we take a personalized, comprehensive approach to every case. Our legal team works hard to ensure you aren’t left dealing with future costs or denied what’s rightfully owed.
How Does the Process Work in Texas?
If you’re trying to understand economic damages for personal injury, you may also be wondering how the legal process works.
Here’s a brief overview:
- Consultation. You meet with a personal injury attorney (like us) to review your case.
- Investigation. We collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and document your losses.
- Demand letter. We calculate your damages and present a claim to the responsible party’s insurer.
- Negotiation. We work to negotiate a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable, we prepare to go to court.
- Resolution. Whether through settlement or trial, our goal is full compensation for every dollar you’ve lost and may lose in the future.
Each step is designed to build a strong case for the maximum recovery of your personal injury economic damages.
Call The Zimmerman Law Firm—We’ll Fight for the Compensation You Deserve.
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we fight for people who’ve been wrongfully injured, and we’re not afraid to take on the biggest corporations or insurance companies to get justice for our clients. Our Texas personal injury attorneys will walk with you every step of the way and work to recover the full scope of your economic and noneconomic damages.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win for you.
Call us today or schedule your free case evaluation to learn more about what economic damages you may be entitled to under Texas law.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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