Suffering injuries due to no fault of your own is frustrating. But you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial impacts of those injuries. As such, you can file a personal injury claim against the party who should have been looking out for your wellbeing but failed to do so.

Legal damages can span a wide variety of economic and noneconomic losses. We’ll explain the types of damages you can sue for in Virginia as well as outline other important details you should know about personal injury claims in the commonwealth.

Types of Personal Injury Damages You Can Sue For in Virginia

You can sue for a variety of personal injury damages, including the following:

Medical expenses, both existing and future in the case of ongoing conditions
Lost wages
Reduced capacity to work
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress or mental health injuries
Loss of consortium
Wrongful death on behalf of a loved one
In some special cases, punitive damages

The types of damages that apply for your case will vary based on your specific circumstances, the type of injury you sustained and the direct financial consequences those injuries imposed. Talk with a Virginia personal injury attorney to learn more and get help with pursuing a claim against the party responsible for your injuries.

Common Injury Types

Personal injury cases can involve a wide range of accident types. Learn a bit more about the most common types of injuries to gain a better understanding of these cases.

1. Auto Accidents

In 2020, an average of 144 people were hurt every day in Virginia due to car accidents.

All motorists have a responsibility to look out for others on the road. But sadly, people don’t take this responsibility seriously enough, which leads to accidents and injuries. As such, these are some of the most common types of personal injury cases.

When drivers are negligent and get behind the wheel when they are tired, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, engaging in distracted driving, or other negligent behavior, they can be liable for the injuries they cause.

2. Slips and Falls

Some slip and fall accidents happen because a person is clumsy or not paying attention, while others are completely preventable. Businesses must do regular checks for hazards to protect their customers and they must clean up spills and hazards quickly to avoid accidents.

3. Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are extremely common. The National Safety Council found that every seven seconds, someone is injured in their line of work. And sadly, these accidents are not all due to rare accidents or unforeseen circumstances. Many could be prevented with the right employee protections.

4. Product Liability

Product manufacturers have a responsibility to test products carefully and ensure they are safe for consumers. Failing to do so or failing to recognize manufacturing errors before placing products on the shelves can mean that consumers face injuries.

5. Medical Malpractice

We trust that medical professionals will do the right thing and be thorough in caring for their patients. But when they fail to meet the standard of care the industry sets and a patient suffers as a result, the patient can pursue damages for those injuries. Some examples of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, failing to treat a patient, surgical errors, medication errors, anesthesia errors, and more.

6. Assault

While assault is a criminal offense, it could also lead to a personal injury lawsuit as the victim should not have to pay the medical bills related to these cases. Assault cases can involve both a civil case and a criminal case against the perpetrator.

Connect With Us for a Free Personal Injury Claim Consultation

If you’re facing any of these accident types, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will guide you in the best next steps to protect your ability to file a personal injury claim. Contact Geoff McDonald & Associates for legal representation in Virginia.

What Types of Damages Can You Sue For?