Calculating Damages After an Accident

Insight from Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Harrisburg, Lancaster, York & Wilkes-Barre

Personal injury claims can be extremely complex, which can make calculating damages challenging. Since 1888, Metzger Wickersham has been fighting for justice in such cases. Our firm believes in pursuing maximum compensation for our clients, leading to our membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®. Whether your case involves wrongful death or catastrophic injuries, it is important to effectively assess the damages you have suffered and may suffer in the future when crafting your claim.

Types of Damages

Since damages are meant to compensate an individual for monetary losses, emotional losses, and future losses, it can be a complicated calculation. That is why damages are typically broken up into two different categories: objective damages and subjective damages.

What Are Objective Damages?

Objective damages may include:

  • Medical and hospital bills
  • Funeral / burial costs
  • Loss of employment, wages, or benefits
  • Loss of earning potential

What Are Subjective Damages?

Subjective damages are based off of less specific issues, including:

  • Pain and suffering endured
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of companionship in wrongful death
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

How Are These Damages Calculated?

This can vary depending on numerous factors, from the jury to the judge to the unique circumstances involved in the accident case.

In general, some of the factors that may be used to calculate compensation include:

  • The anticipated lifespan of the decedent in wrongful death cases
  • The earnings and other benefits that have been lost
  • Any comparative fault that may have played a role
  • The severity and permanency of the injuries
  • Whether any of the injuries will cause permanent disability
  • The individual's ability to work in the future

Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys have been helping our clients recover fair compensation for decades. We can help you properly estimate damages in your case and fight for justice in court.

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact our Pennsylvania injury lawyers at (888) 286-2850.