What Are Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Case?

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you suffer due to someone else’s negligence. They include all out-of-pocket costs tied directly to your injury, from medical bills to lost paychecks.

Non-economic damages, by contrast, compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering. Every category of economic loss should be identified and documented so nothing gets overlooked.

Healthcare Costs

Medical treatment after an injury can add up fast, and the bills do not always stop when you leave the hospital. Healthcare costs include both what you have already paid and what you will need in the future:

• Emergency room visits
• Surgeries and hospital stays
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Assistive devices like wheelchairs or braces
• Follow-up appointments and specialist visits
• Mental health counseling related to the injury

Income Losses

An injury that keeps you out of work creates financial pressure on top of everything else you are already dealing with. Lost income covers more than just missed paychecks:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Lost salary from missed promotions or raises
• Used vacation or sick days
• Self-employment income
• Bonuses and commissions
• Overtime opportunities

Reduced Earning Capacity

Some injuries permanently change your ability to work at the same level you did before the accident. If your condition limits the type of job you can hold, the hours you can work, or the career path you were on, you may be entitled to compensation for the difference between what you could have earned and what you can earn now.

Property Damages

When an accident damages or destroys your personal property, you have the right to recover those costs. Property damage claims can cover a wide range of items beyond just your vehicle:

• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter damage
• Electronics like phones or laptops
• Clothing and personal belongings
• Child car seats that must be replaced after a collision

Transportation Expenses

Getting to and from medical appointments, therapy sessions, and other recovery-related obligations costs money, especially if you cannot drive. You can claim mileage, rideshare fares, public transit costs, and rental car expenses that stem directly from the accident and your treatment schedule.

Household Services

If your injuries prevent you from handling everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, yard work, or child care, you can seek compensation for what it costs to hire someone to do those things. Even if a family member steps in to help without being paid, the value of those services can still be included in your claim.

How to Document Your Economic Damages

Keeping receipts, invoices, pay stubs, repair estimates, and photos of damaged property from the very beginning strengthens your ability to recover the full amount. A personal injury journal documenting how your injuries affect your daily life can also support non-economic losses connected to your economic claim. Under RCW 4.56.110, Washington law allows interest to accrue on your damage award from the date the judgment is entered.

How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Maximize Compensation

Calculating the true cost of your injuries takes careful attention to both current bills and future needs. With 39 years of personal injury experience in King County, our boutique firm gives every client direct, personalized attention and works to make sure nothing gets left out of your claim. Contact Dean Standish Perkins & Associates at (206) 467-0701 or contact us online to get a free case evaluation with our Bellevue personal injury lawyers, who can assess your losses and pursue the full compensation you deserve.