If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Ohio, you may be struggling with uncertainty and distress. The physical pain, emotional distress, and disruption to your life can be devastating.
You may have heard about compensation for medical bills and lost wages, but what about the suffering you endure that doesn’t come with a price tag? That’s where noneconomic damages come in.
Understanding noneconomic damages in Ohio can feel confusing. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Bensinger Legal Services, we help injured individuals fight for fair compensation.
If you’re struggling with pain and suffering after an accident, call us today at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online for a free consultation.
What Are Noneconomic Damages?
Noneconomic damages compensate for the losses that don’t have a direct financial cost. Unlike economic damages, which cover medical bills and lost wages, noneconomic damages account for the personal toll of an accident.
Common noneconomic damages include:
- Pain and suffering—the physical pain caused by the injury and the ongoing discomfort that affects daily life;
- Emotional distress—anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health effects that result from the accident;
- Loss of enjoyment of life—when an injury prevents someone from engaging in hobbies, activities, or daily routines they once enjoyed;
- Loss of companionship—the strain an injury puts on relationships with loved ones, impacting personal connections and support systems; and
- Disfigurement or disability—scarring, amputation, or long-term impairments that change a person’s quality of life and self-image.
These damages recognize the deep impact an accident can have on your well-being and overall happiness.
Noneconomic Damages Examples
To better understand noneconomic damages, let’s look at a few real-life examples:
- Pain and suffering. A woman in Columbus suffers a broken leg in a car accident
- . She experiences months of pain and struggles to move normally.
- Emotional distress. A man in Cincinnati develops PTSD after a truck accident, leading to nightmares and anxiety attacks.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. A Cleveland athlete can no longer compete due to a spinal injury.
- Loss of companionship. A Dayton father becomes irritable and withdrawn from his family after a traumatic brain injury.
- Disfigurement. A Toledo woman suffers severe burns, causing permanent scarring and self-esteem struggles.
These examples highlight the wide range of challenges accident victims face beyond financial losses, showing why noneconomic damages are crucial in seeking full compensation.
Ohio Laws on Noneconomic Damages
Ohio law limits noneconomic damages in certain cases. Noneconomic damages are capped at $250,000 or three times the economic damages, up to a maximum of $350,000 per person or $500,000 per accident. However, cases involving permanent disfigurement or disability may have higher limits.
How to Calculate Noneconomic Damages
Calculating noneconomic damages is more complex than determining financial losses. Courts and insurance companies use different methods to estimate a fair amount.
One common approach is the multiplier method, where economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) are multiplied by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the injuries.
Another method is the per diem approach, which assigns a daily monetary value to the victim’s suffering and multiplies it by the number of days they endure pain.
The final amount awarded can vary significantly based on factors like the long-term impact of the injury, medical expert opinions, and testimony from family and friends.
The Importance of Seeking Compensation for Noneconomic Damages
When an accident disrupts your life, the emotional and physical impact can be just as damaging as the direct financial losses you incur. Seeking compensation for noneconomic damages acknowledges the pain, suffering, and emotional struggles that come with serious injuries. Without this compensation, accident victims may feel unseen and unsupported in their recovery journey.
For example, chronic pain can prevent someone from working, enjoying time with family, or even completing simple daily tasks.
Emotional distress, such as anxiety or PTSD, can create barriers in personal relationships and impact overall well-being. These damages may not come with a price tag, but they have a real effect on the quality of life.
By pursuing noneconomic damages, you can hold the responsible party accountable and ensure you receive fair recognition for your suffering. A legal professional can help document these effects and present a strong case for your compensation, giving you the support needed to focus on recovery.
Let Bensinger Legal Services Guide You During This Difficult Time
Noneconomic damages in Ohio can significantly impact your recovery and quality of life. If you’re struggling after an accident, you don’t have to handle this alone.
Bensinger Legal Services has helped countless Ohio accident victims secure fair compensation. We provide compassionate service and proven results to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
Call us today at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us help you take the next steps toward recovery.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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