Special damages are also known as economic damages, and, as the name suggests, they are the damages that can be easily converted into a dollar bill. These are the additional expenses incurred due to the negligent action of the defendant and caused personal injury to the victim. Expert personal injury lawyers explain that only tangible harm is considered under special damages and the amount to be paid as compensation is calculated as per the prevailing market values at any time. Lost wages and medical bills are the most common example of special damages.

On the contrary, general damages are intangible losses that cannot be calculated in monetary terms. This includes loss of reputation, loss of companionship, emotional distress, or pain and suffering.

What damages are considered as special damages?

In case of a personal injury case, any damage, which can be converted easily into a monetary value is covered under special damages. This includes:

• Lost earnings and wages including the past loss as well as any losses expected in the future.
• Any loss to precious items or items of sentimental value that cannot be replaced.
• Cost of repair of the damages to the property. Any replacement cost for the property is also included.
• Any costs that the victim has to spend for mitigating any liabilities that they have.
• Medical expenses occurred due to the accident including hospital & medication bills
• Domestic costs affected due to accident 
• Caretaking costs

Expert personal injury attorneys explain that in layman’s language, special damage compensation is aimed to help the victim to bring their life to normal or pre-accident condition. Usually, special damages are calculated out of the court and settlements are made with the help of a professional attorney.

The role of a professional attorney in dealing with special damages in a personal injury case:

Calculating the losses incurred by a victim is one intricate job and it is always wise to involve a personal injury attorney. An attorney from a reputed law firm in New Haven can help you in identifying the right loses and calculate the right amount. Without a lawyer, you can be duped by the other party and misguided about the actual expenses. An experienced attorney will help you in gathering evidence of your injuries, identifying possible claims, hiring experts, interviewing witnesses, and advocating for you in court. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your damages.