Under Ohio personal injury law, economic damages include all wages, compensation lost due to an injury, expenses from medical care related to the injury, and any other costs incurred because of the injury.
Economic damages are regarded as compensatory damages and aim to help victims recover their financial losses resulting from an injury or accident. It is essential to understand what damages are covered and which damages you may be eligible for in a personal injury case to ensure you receive everything you deserve.
Common Types of Economic Damages in Ohio
Common expenses that are eligible to be considered economic damages in Ohio include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, past and future medical bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, on-going or long-term treatment
- Lost wages: Time spent away from work due to an injury, recovery, or treatment.
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for the loss of income if your injury prevents you from returning to a previous position.
- Property damage: Covers property repairs or replacements, like vehicles in car accidents.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: If your injuries require transportation to medical appointments, home care, long-term assistance, or assistive devices, such as a mobility chair lift, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
In Ohio, the dollars you can claim are grounded in records—bills, receipts, pay stubs, and repair estimates. Examples of economic damages you can recover might include fixing your vehicle and covering your medical expenses after a car accident on I-77, or getting compensation for lost wages after an injury at a jobsite in Youngstown. If you are left severely injured after your car is struck by a commercial truck leaving a factory in Akron, you could recover economic damages to cover your hospital bills, compensation for time away from work, and damage to your vehicle.
How Economic Damages Are Calculated in Ohio
Attorneys, courts, and insurance companies calculate economic damages by adding up all documented monetary expenses related to your injury or accident. To determine your economic damages, you and your attorney will need to collect records like bills, pay stubs, and receipts that show medical care, property damage, and lost wages.
You can determine your economic damages by totaling all your documented expenses, and your level of fault in the injury will also be taken into account. Ohio operates as a modified comparative fault state, meaning if someone is 20% at fault in a crash, their recoverable damages are reduced by that same percentage. Only those who are less than 51% at fault are eligible to receive compensation in Ohio.
For example, if you do not provide your attorney or the court with documentation of a specific treatment, you might not be able to recover the cost for that treatment due to a lack of evidence. However, the rest of your medical expenses could be covered if they are documented with receipts. If you were 10% at fault for the car accident, your compensation will include all of your damages, but it will be reduced by 10%.
Are There Limits on Economic Damages in Ohio?
Ohio has no limit on economic damages, so you can pursue full compensation without concern that the amount might be deemed excessive. Ohio limits non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, to either $250,000 or three times the economic loss, with a maximum cap of $350,000 per plaintiff.
Calculating the amount you are entitled to for economic damages is essential, particularly in cases of serious injuries or prolonged recoveries. Your personal injury claim is your chance to obtain the compensation necessary to cover your costs, especially if your injuries are lifelong.
How Gervelis Law Firm Helps You Recover Economic Damages
Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm specialize in Ohio injury law, with six offices across the state and more than 25 years of experience advocating for personal injury victims. We know Ohio—and when you’re in an accident, we take action fast. We will fully commit ourselves to your case, gathering evidence and strengthening your claims so we can help you fight and secure the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys have recovered thousands in economic damages for personal injury victims in Ohio and will bring the same dedication to your case. Gervelis Law Firm works tirelessly to earn our clients‘ trust by keeping them informed, handling every case with integrity, and sticking to our guiding principle: our clients’ needs always come first.
We offer free consultations and operate on a contingency fee basis, guaranteeing you won’t face any fees unless we win your case. If you believe you’re owed compensation for economic losses after an accident or personal injury, contact Gervelis Law Firm today for a free consultation or call (866) 792-2728.