Common Types of Personal Injury Damages [2026 Guide]

Economic damages are the most straightforward category of compensation in a personal injury case because they represent measurable financial losses.

These damages are intended to reimburse an injured person for the actual costs they have incurred or are reasonably expected to incur as a direct result of the injury.

In Ohio personal injury cases, economic damages often form the foundation of a claim.

One of the most significant components of economic damages is medical expenses or medical bills.

This includes:

• Emergency Room Care
• Ambulance
• Hospital Stays
• Surgeries
• Diagnostic Testing
• Follow-Up Appointments

Beyond immediate treatment, economic damages also cover ongoing and future medical treatments or needs such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, and specialized treatments.

If an injury requires medical equipment (such as braces, wheelchairs, prosthetics, or mobility aids) those costs may also be recoverable.

Future medical expenses are especially important in cases involving serious or long-term injuries.

Even if treatment has not yet occurred, anticipated costs can be included in a claim when supported by medical opinions or treatment plans.

Physicians, specialists, or life-care planners may provide estimates outlining the type and cost of care an injured person is likely to need in the future.

Economic damages may also include property damage related to the incident.

In motor vehicle accidents, for example, this can involve repair or replacement costs for a damaged vehicle, as well as personal property inside the vehicle that was destroyed or damaged.

Proving economic damages requires thorough documentation.

Some types of evidence that can be used during settlement or trial can include:

• Medical Bills
• Insurance Statements
• Pharmacy Receipts
• Repair Estimates
• Invoices
• Payment Records

For future expenses, written medical recommendations and expert evaluations help establish credibility.

Early and organized recordkeeping is essential, as accurate documentation allows damages to be calculated clearly and presented persuasively during insurance negotiations or litigation.

Lost wages and lost earning capacity are critical components of damages for many personal injury victims, particularly when injuries interfere with their ability to work.

When an accident forces time away from employment, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for the income they would have earned had the injury not occurred.

These damages apply across many types of cases, including workplace incidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and motor vehicle collisions, such as a car accident.

What Is Covered as Compensatory Damages

Lost wages typically cover the income missed during recovery.

This can include:

• Hourly Wages
• Salary
• Overtime
• Bonuses
• Commissions
• Value of Used Sick Time or Vacation Days

To document these losses, claimants often rely on pay stubs, tax returns, employer statements, and attendance records showing the time missed due to injury.

Medical records linking the injury to work restrictions are also essential.

When presenting a claim, this documentation helps demonstrate that the time away from work was medically necessary and directly related to the accident.

What is Lost Earning Capacity?

Lost earning capacity, by contrast, addresses how an injury affects the injured person’s ability to earn income in the future.

This type of damage is especially relevant when injuries cause long-term limitations, force a career change, reduce working hours, or prevent a return to the same line of work.

A physically demanding job may no longer be possible after a serious injury, resulting in lower lifetime earnings.

Proving lost earning capacity often requires a more detailed analysis.

Medical professionals may assess permanent restrictions, while vocational experts evaluate how those limitations affect employment options.

Economists or financial experts may then project the difference between pre-injury and post-injury earning potential over time.

An insurance company may scrutinize or challenge wage-related claims, particularly future losses, making accurate evidence and expert support essential.

Clear documentation and credible projections help ensure that both immediate income losses and long-term financial impacts are fully considered when pursuing compensation.

Non-economic damages compensate an injured person for losses that do not come with a clear price tag but still have a profound impact on daily life.

Unlike economic damages, which are based on bills and financial records, non-economic damages address the human cost of an injury.

These damages are an important part of seeking full monetary compensation in Ohio personal injury cases.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering refers to the physical discomfort and limitations caused by an injury.

This can include chronic physical pain, reduced mobility, complications from medical treatment, and the overall physical toll of recovery.

Even after medical care ends, lingering pain may continue to affect sleep, independence, and the ability to engage in normal activities.

Pain and suffering damages cover both the immediate physical distress experienced at the time of the accident and the long-term impact on a person’s physical well-being and quality of life.

Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish

Emotional distress includes the psychological effects of an injury, such as anxiety, depression, fear, frustration, or trauma.

Some individuals experience sleep disturbances, mood changes, or a loss of confidence following a serious accident.

Mental anguish may also stem from the stress of prolonged medical treatment or uncertainty about the future.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

When injuries prevent someone from participating in hobbies, recreational activities, or everyday routines they once enjoyed, the law recognizes this as compensable harm.

Loss of enjoyment of life reflects how injuries diminish a person’s overall quality of life, even if they are still able to work or function at a basic level.

Loss of Consortium

In some cases, injuries affect close family relationships. Loss of consortium damages may compensate a spouse or family member for the loss of companionship, affection, support, or intimacy resulting from the injury.

These damages are frequently a central component of wrongful death claims, as they address the profound emotional and relational impact of losing a loved one.

How Non-Economic Damages Are Calculated

Because non-economic damages are subjective, courts and insurers use structured approaches to estimate their value.

One common method is the multiplier method, which multiplies economic damages by a number based on injury severity.

Another is the per diem method, which assigns a daily value to suffering and multiplies it by the duration of recovery.

Both approaches rely heavily on medical records, personal testimony, and expert evaluations to justify the amount claimed.

When an injury results in lasting or irreversible harm, long-term and permanent disability damages become a central part of a personal injury claim.

These damages are designed to address the ongoing physical, financial, and personal consequences that extend well beyond the initial recovery period.

For a personal injury plaintiff, permanent disability can alter nearly every aspect of daily life, from mobility and independence to employment and personal relationships.

Coverage

Long-term disability damages often include future medical care that will be required for the rest of the injured person’s life.

This may involve:

• Continued Physician Visits
• Prescription Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Pain Management
• Assistive Devices
• Periodic Surgeries

In more severe cases, damages may also account for in-home care, nursing assistance, or placement in long-term care facilities.

These future needs are typically documented through medical evaluations, treatment plans, and life-care plans prepared by qualified professionals.

Permanent injuries frequently lead to diminished quality of life.

Reduced mobility, chronic pain, cognitive impairment, or loss of bodily function can limit an individual’s ability to perform routine tasks, engage in hobbies, or maintain social connections.

These impacts are considered when assessing long-term damages, even when they do not directly translate into a specific financial loss.

From a legal standpoint, accurately valuing permanent disability requires a comprehensive approach grounded in personal injury law.

Medical experts may testify regarding the permanence of the condition, while vocational specialists evaluate how the injury affects future employment options.

Economists may be involved to project the lifetime financial impact of the disability.

An experienced personal injury attorney plays a critical role in coordinating this evidence and presenting a clear picture of how a permanent injury will affect the injured person over time.

By thoroughly documenting future care needs and long-term limitations, a claim can more accurately reflect the true scope of losses associated with permanent disability.

Personal injury damages can be categorized into compensatory damages and punitive damages.

Punitive damages serve a different purpose than most forms of compensation in personal injury cases.

While economic and non-economic damages are intended to make the injured person whole, punitive damages are awarded to punish the negligent party for their egregious behavior.

In states that allow punitive damages, they are granted when someone’s actions were extremely careless or intentionally caused trauma.

In Ohio, courts may award punitive damages only in limited circumstances, and they are not available in every personal injury case.

To receive punitive damages, you must prove the defendant acted maliciously or intentionally disregarded your rights.

Punitive damages serve as a deterrent to prevent similar misconduct in the future, as they discourage others from making the same harmful, careless, or illegal choices.\

How Punitive Damages Arise

Punitive damages typically arise when the defendant’s actions go beyond ordinary negligence and involve intentional misconduct, fraud, malice, or a wanton or reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Common examples include drunk or drug-impaired driving, intentional assaults, or conduct that demonstrates a conscious indifference to known risks.

These damages are meant to send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Unlike other damages, punitive damages are not tied directly to the injured person’s medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Courts consider factors such as the nature of the defendant’s conduct, the level of harm caused, and whether similar behavior has occurred in the past.

Ohio law also places statutory limits on punitive damages, which means even when they are available, the amount may be capped.

Evidence for Punitive Damages

Proving entitlement to punitive damages requires clear and convincing evidence, a higher standard than that used for most other aspects of a personal injury claim.

This often involves demonstrating that the defendant knew their actions were likely to cause harm and proceeded anyway.

Because of this higher burden, working with a personal injury lawyer is especially important when punitive damages may be at issue.

For injured individuals, it is important to understand that punitive damages are separate from the financial compensation meant to cover losses.

While many cases focus on recovering compensatory damages, punitive damages may be available in rare situations where the conduct is especially harmful.

A thorough legal evaluation can help determine whether punitive damages are appropriate when deciding how to seek compensation.

When a fatal injury occurs because of someone else’s negligent or wrongful behavior, Ohio law gives surviving family members a legal pathway to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2125, a wrongful death action can be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate for the exclusive benefit of close family members such as a spouse, children, or parents.

Wrongful death damages are intended to help families recover what they deserve compensation for after losing a loved one due to another’s negligence, such as in truck accidents, automobile collisions, or other wrongful conduct.

These damages typically fall into two broad categories: economic and non-economic compensation.

Economic damages reimburse tangible financial losses stemming from the death, including reasonable funeral and burial expenses, medical costs incurred before death, loss of financial support, loss of future earnings, lost benefits (such as health insurance or pension), and loss of prospective inheritance.

Non-economic damages address the intangible and emotional harms family members experience when they lose a loved one.

These may include loss of companionship, loss of guidance and care, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and the emotional trauma that accompanies the sudden death of a family member.

Ohio does not impose a strict cap on most wrongful death damage awards for economic and non-economic losses, meaning families can pursue full compensation for the actual harm they have suffered under the law.

In limited cases where the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious or intentional (not simply negligent), punitive damages may also be available to punish wrongdoing and deter similar conduct in the future.

Because wrongful death claims arise from the same basic principles as personal injury law, plaintiffs must show that the defendant’s actions or omissions breached a legal duty, directly led to the decedent’s death, and caused measurable losses to the survivors.

Documenting the financial and emotional impact thoroughly, with the help of an experienced legal team, is essential to securing full and fair recovery for a family after a wrongful death.

Compensatory damages can be further divided into special damages and general damages.

For the former, the focus is on specific, identifiable expenses that arise as a direct result of an injury.

While medical bills and lost wages are common examples, many personal injury cases involve additional out-of-pocket costs that are equally important to document and recover for fair compensation.

Transportation and Travel Expenses

Injuries often require frequent travel to medical appointments, therapy sessions, or specialist consultations.

Mileage, parking fees, public transportation costs, or rideshare expenses may all be recoverable when they are necessary for treatment.

These costs can accumulate over time, especially in cases involving serious injuries or medical malpractice that require extended care.

Home Modifications and Accessibility Needs

When an injury limits mobility or independence, modifications to a home may be required.

This can include wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, stair lifts, bathroom grab bars, or modified showers.

Although these changes are not traditionally viewed as medical costs, they are often essential for daily living and can be included as special damages when properly supported.

In-Home Care and Assistance

Some injuries necessitate temporary or long-term in-home assistance.

This may involve professional nursing care, home health aides, or even compensation for family members who provide care.

These services can be a significant financial burden and should be carefully documented with invoices, care schedules, and medical recommendations.

Rehabilitation Aids and Incidental Expenses

Special damages may also cover rehabilitation tools such as braces, orthotics, therapy devices, or adaptive technology.

Incidental expenses, such as over-the-counter medical supplies or additional childcare costs during recovery, can also be considered when they are directly tied to the injury.

Proving special damages requires thorough recordkeeping. Receipts, invoices, mileage logs, and written medical recommendations all help establish necessity and value.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help identify recoverable expenses that are often overlooked and ensure they are properly included in a claim.

By working with a knowledgeable law firm, injured individuals can pursue fair settlement of all qualifying damages.

The value of a personal injury settlement or verdict is shaped by multiple interconnected factors.

In Ohio personal injury cases, courts and insurance carriers evaluate not only the type of damages claimed, but also how convincingly those damages are supported by evidence and how significantly the injury has affected the injured person’s life.

Severity and Nature of the Injury

The severity of the injury is one of the most influential factors in determining compensation.

More serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent impairments, typically result in higher damage awards because they require extensive treatment and have lasting consequences.

The extent of physical injuries and the length of recovery directly affect both economic and non-economic damages.

Permanence and Long-Term Impact

Whether an injury is temporary or permanent plays a major role in valuation.

Permanent disabilities, chronic pain, or long-term limitations often increase damages because they affect the injured person’s future medical needs, earning potential, and overall quality of life.

Injuries that permanently alter daily routines or independence are viewed as more significant under Ohio law.

Impact on Daily Life and Employment

Courts and insurers also consider how the injury affects everyday activities and the ability to work.

Missed time from work, reduced productivity, and diminished career prospects contribute to economic losses such as lost income and reduced earning capacity.

The greater the disruption to normal life, the stronger the justification for higher compensation.

Economic Losses and Documentation

Well-documented financial losses carry substantial weight.

Medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and projected future care costs must clearly connect to the injuries suffered harm because of someone else’s negligence.

Strong documentation helps establish credibility and prevents undervaluation of damages.

Comparative Fault in Ohio

In states with modified comparative negligence, a victim’s compensation can be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule.

If the injured person is found partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced proportionally.

If they are more than 50% responsible, recovery may be barred.

This makes evidence and fault analysis especially important in close cases.

Evidence Strength and Insurance Limits

The quality of evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and witness statements, can significantly influence settlement outcomes.

Even strong claims may be limited by available insurance policy limits, which can cap the amount recoverable.

Skill of Legal Representation

The experience and strategy of legal counsel play a critical role.

Skilled representation ensures that damages are fully identified, properly supported, and persuasively presented during negotiations or litigation.

Zoll & Kranz supports clients by taking a comprehensive, evidence-driven approach to personal injury representation.

From the outset, our firm works to prove negligence by investigating how an incident occurred, identifying responsible parties, and connecting the defendant’s conduct to the injuries suffered by accident victims.

This foundation is essential to establishing liability and pursuing compensation.

Our attorneys assist clients in documenting actual damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and out-of-pocket costs, while also coordinating with medical professionals, vocational experts, and other specialists when future losses are involved.

By organizing medical records, employment information, and expert opinions, Zoll & Kranz helps present a clear and accurate picture of the client’s losses.

Zoll & Kranz also handles communications and negotiations with insurers, advocating for fair resolution and working to recover damages that fully reflect both immediate and long-term impacts of an injury.

Understanding the different types of damages available in a personal injury case is an important step for anyone harmed due to another party’s negligence.

Economic damages address measurable financial losses such as medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages compensate for pain, emotional suffering, and reduced quality of life.

In more complex cases, damages may also include long-term disability costs, special out-of-pocket expenses, and, in rare circumstances, punitive damages.

Because each category requires specific proof and careful documentation, early attention to records and evidence can significantly affect the outcome of a claim.

Together, these damages are intended to reflect the full scope of how an injury impacts a person’s life, both now and in the future.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, Zoll & Kranz can help you understand your options and pursue full compensation.

Contact our office today for a free consultation, and let our experienced team advocate for the recovery you deserve.