Economic damages are the monetary losses you can measure after an injury. They often include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In Utah personal injury claims, they are often called special damages because they can be verified and mathematically calcualted. These losses are usually supported by records like invoices, pay stubs, and repair estimates.
At Lance Bingham, our Salt Lake personal injury attorney helps injured parties collect the right proof and present it clearly to insurance companies. We also look ahead, because future medical expenses and loss of earning capacity can matter. When the facts support it, we push for the full value of your economic damages, not just what’s due today.
After an injury, the term "damages" can sound confusing. In law, damages are the losses you can claim in a personal injury case. Understanding them helps you avoid low offers from insurance companies.
Damages are the money a person seeks after being harmed. They are meant to cover losses caused by someone else’s negligence. These losses can be financial, physical, or emotional.
Damages usually fall into two main groups. One group is economic damages, which are measurable monetary losses. The other group is non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Damages can arise in many types of cases. Car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and dog bites are common examples. Medical malpractice and wrongful death claims also involve damages.
Insurance companies often focus on minimizing damages. They may question medical proof or downplay missed work. Clear documentation helps protect your claim.
Economic damages cover real financial loss. Think of bills, paychecks, and repair costs. They are usually backed by documents.
Non-economic damages cover human loss. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. These losses are real, but harder to price.
Both categories matter in a personal injury claim. You can have high medical bills and serious pain at the same time. A fair case value should address both.
In Utah, insurance companies often move quickly. They may offer money before you know your full costs. If you don’t understand economic damages, it is easier to settle too early.
Utah has fault rules that can reduce recovery. If an insurer blames you, even a little, it can affect the math. Knowing what you can claim helps you push back.
Understanding economic damages is your first defense against an insurance settlement that falls catastrophically short. Insurers bank on you not knowing the full, long-term cost of your injuries.
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses caused by an injury. They are usually the easiest damages to document and calculate. In Utah, getting them right can make a big difference in your settlement value.
Economic damages are the out-of-pocket costs tied to your injury. They include both the money you spent and the money you could not earn. These losses are part of compensatory damages.
Think of economic damages as the math part of your case. Bills, receipts, and wage records support them. When the numbers are clear, insurance companies have less room to argue.
They can also apply to medical error cases. A medical mistake may require extra treatment. It may also result in a longer period off work, resulting in lost wages.
Economic damages are not limited to medical costs. They can include property damage and other necessary expenses. The key is that the loss can be verified.
You may hear economic damages called special damages. This is common legal terminology. It simply means the damages are specific and provable.
Special damages are tied to the exact costs of your case. One person may have high medical bills. Another may have low bills but high lost wages.
The label matters because it affects proof. Special damages need documents. That can include medical records, invoices, and work history.
Insurance companies often demand strict proof for special damages. They may ask for itemized billing. They may also request employer confirmation.
Economic damages must be measurable. Reliable records should support them. If you can point to a document, it usually helps.
Common proof includes:
Expert analysis can also matter in big cases. For example, future wages may require an economist. Loss of earning capacity may require work and medical input.
Economic damages are about facts and documents. When the proof is strong, the numbers are harder to dispute. That can lead to fairer settlement talks. It can also support a lawsuit if needed.
Past economic damages are the costs you already paid or lost. They are often the first to be reviewed for damage by an insurance company. Clear paperwork makes these losses easier to prove.
Medical expenses are usually the highest past cost. They can include emergency care, hospital bills, and follow-up visits. They can also include physical therapy and prescription medication.
Common medical costs include:
Save itemized statements when you can. They show what was done and why. Medical records can also support that the treatment was related to the injury.
Insurance companies may argue that the treatment was too much. They may question follow-up care. Consistent medical proof helps shut that down.
Lost wages are the pay you missed because you could not work. This includes hourly shifts, salary time, and some forms of overtime. It can also include missed bonuses in some situations.
Good proof includes pay stubs and work schedules. Employer letters can confirm missed days and pay rate. If you are self-employed, tax records and invoices may help.
Lost wages are not the same as loss of earning capacity. Lost wages are past losses. Loss of earning capacity concerns future work limitations.
Property damage covers repairs or replacement for damaged items. In a car accident, this usually includes vehicle repair costs. It can also include towing and storage.
Property damage can also apply in other cases. A dog bite may ruin clothing. A bicycle crash may destroy a bike and a helmet.
Insurance policy limits can affect property damage payments. Some policies have specific caps. We review coverage, so you know what to expect.
Many people forget these costs at first. Small expenses can add up quickly. They still count as economic damages when they are reasonable.
Examples include:
Keep a simple folder or spreadsheet for receipts. Write short notes about why the cost happened. That makes it easier to explain later.
These expenses often matter in settlement talks. They show the full impact of the injury. They also help counter “it wasn’t that bad” arguments.
Future economic losses can be the biggest part of a serious case. They cover costs you have not paid yet, but will likely face. These damages matter most when injuries cause lasting limitations.
Future medical expenses cover expected care after the case begins. This can include ongoing therapy, follow-up imaging, and repeat procedures. It can also include long-term medication needs.
Serious injuries often drive future costs. Traumatic brain injury can require neurological care and therapy. Physical impairment may require pain management and continued treatment.
Future care can also include mental health treatment. Psychological damage can lead to counseling and medication. Those costs still count as economic damages.
Loss of earning capacity is different from lost wages. Lost wages are past paychecks you missed. Loss of earning capacity is about the reduced ability to earn in the future.
This can happen after spinal injuries, brain injuries, or chronic pain. It can also happen after a medical error that creates new limits. Some people can work, but only for fewer hours or lighter duties.
Proof often includes work history and job demands. Medical restrictions help show what you can and cannot do. An economist or vocational expert may help estimate future wages.
Some injuries require changes at home. Ramps, railings, and bathroom modifications may be necessary. These are real costs tied to physical impairment.
Assistive technology can also be needed. Mobility devices, braces, and specialized tools may be required. In serious cases, a person may need a wheelchair or vehicle modifications.
These costs should be documented like any other expense. Estimates and invoices support the numbers. Medical recommendations help show the necessity.
Economic damages show up in many injury cases. The cause may differ, but the losses often look similar. Bills, missed work, and repair costs tend to follow.
Aviation accidents can cause catastrophic injury quickly. They often lead to emergency care and long-term rehab. Future medical expenses can be significant.
These cases may also involve lost earning capacity. A serious injury can limit work for years. Proof often includes medical records and expert analysis.
Boat accidents can cause falls, prop injuries, and serious trauma. Medical bills can rise quickly with surgery and physical therapy. Some victims also miss work during recovery.
Property damage can include personal gear. It can also include damaged equipment. Receipts and photos help support those losses.
Car accidents are a common source of economic damage. Medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs often happen together. Even a minor crash can create real bills.
PIP may cover early costs in some cases. Policy limits can also cap payments. Strong documentation helps you recover what you are owed.
DUI crashes often cause severe injury. That can mean higher medical bills and longer treatment. Lost wages can also increase with a prolonged recovery.
Some cases involve punitive damages, but that is separate. Economic damages still cover the real costs. Medical proof and work history are key.
Truck accidents can cause severe injuries and significant financial losses. Future losses are common in severe cases. These cases can also involve multiple insurance policies.
Economic damages may include long-term care. They may also include a major loss of earning capacity. Experts often help estimate future costs.
Motorcycle crashes often cause serious injuries. Medical treatment can include surgery and long-term therapy. Some riders face lasting physical impairment.
Property damage can include the bike and protective gear. Helmets and jackets are not cheap. Keep receipts and photos, if possible.
Bicycle accidents often lead to ER visits and follow-up care. A crash can damage a bike and safety gear. Lost wages can also apply.
These cases often depend on strong proof: medical records and photos help. Witness statements can also support fault.
Pedestrian injuries can be severe because there is no protection. Medical expenses and rehab costs can be high. Future care can also be needed.
Lost income can rise fast when mobility is limited. Work restrictions can reduce hours. Documentation helps show the full loss.
Dog bites can cause infection, scarring, and nerve damage. Treatment can include stitches and follow-up care. Some cases require plastic surgery.
Economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages. They can also include medication and counseling costs. Photos and medical records help support the claim.
Food poisoning can require urgent care or hospital treatment. Medical bills can add up fast with severe dehydration. Lost wages are also common when symptoms last for days.
Economic damages look simple on paper. In practice, insurance adjusters often challenge the numbers. A personal injury attorney helps you prove every dollar and protect against future losses.
Utah law can affect how damages are reduced or paid. Comparative negligence can cut recovery based on fault percentages. PIP can also affect early payments after a car accident.
A lawyer helps you track these moving parts. We also explain how rules affect your case value. That clarity helps you avoid bad decisions.
Some cases also involve complex calculations. Future medical expenses can require projections. Loss of earning capacity often requires work and medical analysis.
Methods such as the multiplier method or the per diem method are typically used for non-economic damages. Still, they affect settlement talks overall. Economic damages often anchor the negotiation.
Insurance companies often focus on today’s bills. They may ignore future losses or minimize the impact of work. That can leave you paying later.
We gather medical proof and itemized bills. We also gather work history and wage documents. This supports both past and future claims.
Future losses need a plan. We review treatment plans and expected care. We also document work restrictions and earning limits.
Big injuries can change a life. Traumatic brain injury can affect focus and job performance. Physical impairment can limit standing, lifting, or driving.
The goal is full compensation for real losses. That includes future wages and future medical costs. We push for the full picture, not a snapshot.
Insurance adjusters often use delay and doubt. They may request repeated documents. They may also push low offers early.
We handle those contacts and demands. We also package the evidence clearly. That can reduce excuses and speed progress.
If the insurer refuses to be fair, litigation may be needed. A lawsuit can compel the exchange of evidence and sworn testimony. It can also help resolve disputes about fault and damages.
At Lance Bingham, we focus on clear proof and clear communication. We aim to reduce stress for Utah injury survivors. You heal while we handle the legal process.
What are economic damages in Utah law?
Economic damages are measurable monetary losses from an injury. They include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, supported by documentation such as invoices and pay stubs.
Which types of losses qualify as economic damages in Utah?
Medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs can qualify. Future costs may also qualify when supported by medical proof and work evidence.
What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages in Utah?
Economic damages are financial losses you can document. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering and other real but harder-to-measure losses.
What evidence is required to support economic damages claims in Utah?
Medical records, itemized bills, receipts, repair estimates, and wage records help. Doctor notes and employer letters can support work loss and future limits.
Do economic damages include future medical expenses and future wages?
Yes, if they are reasonably expected and supported by medical proof and work history. Experts may help calculate loss of earning capacity and future care costs.
Can my economic damages be reduced if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Utah’s comparative negligence law can reduce a recovery based on the percentage of fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovery.
Economic damages cover the monetary losses caused by an injury. They include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Future costs can also be considered when supported by strong evidence.
Keeping records protects your claim. Save invoices, pay stubs, and repair estimates. Follow treatment plans and keep medical records organized.
Utah rules can also affect the final number. Comparative negligence can reduce recovery based on fault. Utah Code § 78B-5-818 explains that rule.
If you need help, consult a lawyer early. At Lance Bingham, we help Utah injury survivors document losses clearly. We also push back when insurance companies undervalue your economic damages.
Dustin specializes in serious accident and injury cases in Utah and Idaho, practicing in State and Federal Courts. He's recognized as "Utah's Legal Elite," a "Mountain States Rising Star," and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He holds an Avvo Superb Rating and is actively involved in legal associations, serving as a judge pro tempore for the Utah Supreme Court. A Utah native, Dustin earned his degrees from the University of Utah. He lives in Farmington with his wife and three children, enjoying family time, flying, and various outdoor activities.
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