In 2021, 93 people were involved in accidents that led to fatalities in the Baltimore area. Additionally, around 3% of Maryland workers suffer a work-related injury each year. If you have suffered an injury in any type of accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence in Baltimore, you may be wondering how much money you could potentially receive from a personal injury lawsuit or settlement.
While every case is unique, this article provides a general overview of the types of damages typically available in Baltimore personal injury cases and the factors that impact settlement and award amounts.
Table of Contents
Calculating Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to tangible financial losses incurred as a direct result of an accident and injury, both in the past and into the future. Common economic damages include:
● Medical expenses: All hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and other healthcare costs related to treating the injury.
● Lost income: Any wages lost due to missing work during recovery. This is calculated by multiplying the number of days missed by your average daily wage.
● Loss of future earning capacity: If the injury causes long-term disability or decreased ability to work and earn an income. This calculates the difference between pre-and-post-accident earning potential over future working years.
● Other out-of-pocket expenses: Costs of household services the injured cannot perform, property damage, travel to medical appointments, etc.
The available evidence, from medical reports to pay stubs, will be used to quantify these losses. Some Baltimore personal injury lawyers state that “plaintiffs in personal injury suits are entitled to claim compensation for all past and future economic damages attributed to accident injuries.”
Accounting for Non-Economic Damages
In addition to economic damages, those pursuing injury claims can seek non-economic damages, such as:
● Emotional distress
● Pain and suffering
● Loss of enjoyment of life
● Loss of consortium between spouses
● Disfigurement from scarring
Unlike economic damages, these have no definitive price tag associated with them and are considered subjective. Jury awards for pain and suffering may be capped under Maryland law depending on the specifics of the case, which also limit non-economic damages in wrongful death suits. Plaintiffs’ attorneys typically enlist experts to help juries understand the full extent of disability, discomfort, and lifestyle impairment caused by an injury.
Key Factors That Impact Settlements
It is always in a plaintiff’s best interests to attempt settling a personal injury case out of court when possible, as it guarantees payment in hand rather than risking the unpredictability of a jury trial. Some key factors impacting settlement amounts include:
● Level of available insurance coverage: Sets limit on damages the at-fault party can realistically pay and becomes the target amount for pre-trial settlements.
● Liability and fault determination: Strength of evidence showing the other party’s negligence directly caused the accident and injuries.
● Injury severity and impact on plaintiff’s life: More serious injuries and losses warrant higher payouts.
● Skilled attorney representation: Attorneys maximize recovery through demand letters, negotiation tactics, competent referrals, and effective presentation of evidence establishing losses.
While every situation is different, understanding these basics provides a good jumping-off point for evaluating potential compensation from a Baltimore personal injury case. An experienced local attorney can analyze the claim’s specifics and provide a more concrete estimate of its value after assessing these factors.
