Common Types of Personal Injury Damages [2025 Guide]

When an injured party suffers harm due to another person’s negligence in Ohio, they have the right to seek compensation for their losses.

Most personal injury claims involve damages that cover both direct financial costs and the personal impact of an accident.

These damages fall into two main categories: compensatory damages, which reimburse victims for their losses, and punitive damages, which are awarded in rare cases of extreme negligence or misconduct.

Compensatory damages are divided into two types: economic losses and non-economic losses.

Economic losses include expenses related to medical treatment, lost wages, and property damage.

For example, an injured party in Ohio may need compensation for serious injuries requiring ongoing medical care, surgeries, or physical therapy.

These costs, along with lost income from time off work, can be recovered through a personal injury claim.

Non-economic damages compensate victims for the physical and emotional toll of their injuries, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, or reduced quality of life.

Ohio law places a cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury claims, limiting recovery to $250,000 or three times the amount of economic losses, with a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff ($500,000 per occurrence in multi-victim cases).

However, in cases involving serious injuries such as permanent disfigurement or loss of a limb, these limits do not apply.

For injury victims in Ohio, knowing what damages they can claim is critical to recovering fair compensation.

An experienced personal injury attorney can assess the full impact of an accident and fight for the maximum amount allowed under Ohio law.

Economic Damages: The Tangible Financial Losses

Economic damages cover the monetary compensation awarded to an injured party for measurable financial losses caused by an accident.

These damages include out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, medical devices, and home modifications needed due to a disability.

Rehabilitation costs can be significant, especially for those requiring long-term physical therapy or specialized treatments.

In cases where a victim suffers permanent injuries, future medical expenses may include ongoing doctor visits, assistive care, or necessary surgeries.

If an injury affects a person’s ability to work, they may also be entitled to lost future earnings, which account for reduced earning potential due to long-term disabilities.

Seeking to recover damages for these financial losses is essential for injury victims to avoid overwhelming debt and maintain financial stability.

Examples of Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses – Hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications
• Future medical expenses – Long-term treatment, home healthcare, assistive medical devices
• Rehabilitation costs – Physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling for psychological injuries
• Lost wages – Income lost due to time away from work during recovery
• Lost future earnings – Reduced earning capacity due to a long-term or permanent disability
• Property damage – Vehicle repairs, replacement of personal belongings damaged in the accident
• Out-of-pocket expenses – Transportation costs, home modifications, medical equipment such as wheelchairs

Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Costs of an Injury

Not all losses from an accident have a clear monetary value, but they can still have a profound impact on an injured party’s life.

Pain and suffering damages compensate for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by a serious injury.

Unlike economic damages, which cover expenses incurred like medical bills and lost wages, non-economic damages address the personal toll of an accident.

These damages can vary significantly based on the severity of the injury, how it affects daily life, and whether the victim experiences long-term complications.

In Ohio, non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 or three times the total economic losses, up to $350,000 per plaintiff.

However, cases involving permanent or catastrophic injuries—such as paralysis or amputation—are not subject to these limits.

Calculating pain and suffering damages often requires expert testimony, medical evaluations, and evidence of how the injury has changed the victim’s life.

Examples of Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering damages – Compensation for physical pain, chronic conditions, and ongoing discomfort
• Emotional distress – Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or psychological trauma caused by the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or daily activities due to injury
• Loss of consortium – Impact of the injury on relationships, including loss of companionship or intimacy
• Permanent disfigurement or disability – Scarring, amputation, paralysis, or other long-term impairments
• Reduced quality of life – General loss of independence, mobility, or ability to perform routine tasks

Punitive Damages: When Are They Awarded?

Punitive damages are a unique form of compensation awarded in certain personal injury law cases where the defendant’s conduct goes beyond ordinary negligence.

Unlike compensatory damages, which reimburse an accident victim for their losses, punitive damages serve to punish the responsible party and deter future negligence.

Ohio law allows courts to award punitive damages when a defendant is found guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, meaning they acted with extreme disregard for others’ safety.

For example, if a driver in a car accident was excessively speeding while intoxicated, a jury may find their behavior reckless enough to justify punitive damages.

These damages hold the responsible party accountable and send a message that such actions will not be tolerated.

Under Ohio law, punitive damages are capped at twice the amount of compensatory damages awarded, or at 10% of the defendant’s net worth, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff.

However, in cases involving intentional misconduct, such as assault or fraud, these caps do not apply.

While punitive damages are not awarded in every case, they can be critical in cases where extreme recklessness or deliberate harm caused severe injury.

Strong evidence is essential for proving the extent of damages in a personal injury case.

Medical records, expert testimony, and financial documentation help establish the severity of injuries and the financial losses suffered.

Photographs and videos of injuries or property damage provide visual proof that supports the victim’s claims.

Witness statements and accident reports can demonstrate how the injury occurred and whether negligence played a role.

Economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, require clear documentation to show the financial impact of the injury.

Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, can be supported by medical evaluations, psychiatric records, and personal journals describing daily struggles.

Without compelling evidence, insurance companies and defense attorneys may dispute the value of the claim, leading to lower compensation or denied liability.

Types of Evidence That Support Personal Injury Damages include:

• Medical records and bills – Show the treatment received, diagnoses, and costs of care.
• Employment and wage records – Establish lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
• Expert testimony – Doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists can explain injury severity and financial impact.
• Photographs and videos – Document visible injuries, accident scenes, and property damage.
• Accident reports and witness statements – Provide independent accounts of how the injury happened.
• Psychiatric evaluations and therapy records – Support claims of emotional distress and long-term psychological effects.
• Personal injury journals – Describe pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects daily life.

A personal injury lawyer plays a critical role in ensuring injury victims receive full and fair compensation for their losses.

They gather and present strong evidence to prove both economic and non-economic damages, preventing insurance companies from undervaluing a claim.

Attorneys work with medical experts, financial analysts, and accident reconstruction specialists to establish the full impact of an injury.

They also negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure a settlement that accurately reflects medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer is prepared to take the case to trial and argue for maximum compensation.

They also help injury victims understand their legal rights, ensuring they don’t accept lowball offers or sign away their claims too early.

With experienced legal representation, victims have a much stronger chance of receiving the compensation they truly deserve.

How Injury Victims Can Help Strengthen Their Case for Damages

While a personal injury lawyer plays a crucial role in maximizing compensation, injury victims can also take steps to strengthen their claims.

The actions taken immediately after an accident and throughout the recovery process can provide essential evidence that supports the case.

Keeping thorough documentation, following medical advice, and avoiding common mistakes can make a significant difference in proving damages.

Ways Injury Victims Can Help Their Case include:

• Seek immediate medical attention – Medical records provide crucial proof of injuries and necessary treatment.
• Follow all medical advice and treatment plans – Gaps in treatment can be used to argue that injuries are not as severe as claimed.
• Keep detailed records of medical expenses – Save receipts for hospital bills, medications, rehabilitation, and other costs.
• Maintain a personal injury journal – Document pain levels, emotional distress, and daily struggles caused by the injury.
• Obtain witness contact information – Statements from people who saw the accident can help establish liability.
• Avoid discussing the case publicly – Social media posts or offhand comments can be used against the claim.
• Provide all relevant documents to an attorney – Accident reports, insurance communications, and employment records strengthen a case.

At The Piscitelli Law Firm, we are dedicated to securing substantial compensation for our clients who have suffered due to negligence or misconduct.

Our commitment to justice is reflected in the significant settlements and verdicts we’ve achieved across a range of complex personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Below are some notable examples of our successful outcomes:

• $5.8 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict: Secured for a woman who sustained kidney damage after physicians failed to monitor her kidney function while she was prescribed Asacol.
• $2.9 Million Motorcycle Accident Settlement: Achieved for the family of a motorcyclist who was tragically killed when a distracted driver collided with his motorcycle.
• $1.25 Million Motorcycle Wrongful Death Settlement: Reached for the family of a motorcyclist fatally struck by a drunk driver who ran a red light.
• $4.1 Million Wrongful Death Settlement: Obtained for the family of a truck driver fatally exposed to toxic chemicals due to a shipper’s mislabeling of hazardous materials.

These outcomes demonstrate our unwavering dedication to holding negligent parties accountable and ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to someone else’s negligence, contact The Piscitelli Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve legal representation that fights for the full compensation you’re owed.

At The Piscitelli Law Firm, we have a proven track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts for injury victims across Ohio.

We understand the financial, physical, and emotional toll an accident can take, and we are committed to helping you recover.

Don’t wait to take action—valuable evidence can be lost, and strict legal deadlines may affect your ability to file a claim.

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you understand your legal options.

Call us now or use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a personal injury case instantly.