Ohio’s personal injury laws are designed to provide financial relief and compensation to individuals who have suffered harm due to the actions or negligence of others. In the realm of personal injury cases, the state recognizes two primary categories of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are intended to cover the tangible, out-of-pocket expenses that arise from the injury. These can include medical bills, from emergency room visits to ongoing therapies; lost wages, for the time the injured person is unable to work; and any other financial losses directly related to the injury, such as home modifications for accessibility or repair costs for damaged property.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate for the intangible losses that don’t have a direct monetary value. These damages address the emotional and psychological impact of an injury, covering pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and loss of companionship or consortium. Calculating these damages is more subjective and can vary significantly from one case to another, often depending on the severity and permanence of the injuries.
In addition to compensatory damages, Ohio law also provides for the awarding of punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s conduct is found to be especially egregious. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim but rather to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. These are typically reserved for situations involving extreme negligence or intentional harm. For instance, a drunk driving incident resulting in serious bodily harm might warrant punitive damages if the behavior was particularly reckless or malicious.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone involved in a personal injury claim in Ohio. Each type of damage plays a crucial role in ensuring that victims are made whole after an injury and that wrongdoers are held accountable for their actions.
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