Between medical bills, lost income, and the physical and emotional toll of recovery, a serious injury can turn your life upside down. Understanding what damages you may be entitled to can help you make informed decisions and begin the process of reclaiming your life.
As personal injury attorneysWITH over three decades of experience representing accident victims across Long Island, we’ve helped clients recover millions of dollars in compensation. Let’s walk you through the types of damages you may be eligible for, how they’re calculated, and what factors can affect your case. We’ll also explain why choosing the right attorney can make all the difference.
The most straightforward type of compensation in a personal injury case is economic damages. These are actual, measurable financial losses you’ve incurred due to your injury. In Long Island personal injury lawsuits, economic damages can include:
This includes both past and future medical costs related to the injury. Think hospital bills, doctor’s visits, prescription medication, physical therapy, surgeries, medical devices, and any anticipated future care. If your injuries are long-term or permanent, your attorney may bring in a medical expert to estimate the cost of ongoing care.
If you missed work because of your injury, you can seek compensation for your lost income during your recovery. This also includes paid time off (PTO), sick days, or vacation days you were forced to use while recovering.
If your injury limits your ability to return to your previous job—or to work at all—you may be entitled to compensation for future lost earnings. This calculation often requires vocational or economic experts to determine how much income you’ll miss out on over your lifetime.
If your personal property was damaged in the accident—for example, if you were in a car crash—you may be able to recover the cost of repairing or replacing that property.
Not all harm can be measured in dollars and cents. That’s where non-economic damages come in. These are meant to compensate you for the personal, emotional, and psychological impact of your injuries.
This is often the largest component of a personal injury award. It covers the physical pain and discomfort you’ve endured as a result of your injuries. That includes both the initial pain and any ongoing or chronic pain.
Injuries often come with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological effects. While harder to quantify than medical bills, these effects are very real, and courts recognize that.
If your injury prevents you from enjoying hobbies, exercising, spending time with loved ones, or simply living life as you used to, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss.
This type of damage is awarded to a spouse or partner for the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy resulting from the injury.
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These aren’t meant to compensate the victim, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, like a drunk driver causing a serious accident.
Every case is different, and the amount you can recover will depend on several factors:
In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. However, certain types of claims (like those involving municipalities) have shorter deadlines and specific filing requirements. Don’t wait—delaying your claim can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.
If you believe you have a personal injury claim, it’s critical to:
At Palermo Law, we’ve dedicated over 30 years to helping Long Islanders recover from serious injuries. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens you’re facing—and we’re here to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Whether you were hurt in a car crash, a slip and fall, or another type of accident, we’ll handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
We offer free consultations, and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Contact us today or visit our office to find out how we can help.