Non-economic damages

What non-economic damages mean

When you’re hurt in an accident, the damage goes beyond bills and paychecks. Sure, there are hospital costs, car repairs, and lost wages, but those are just the numbers on paper. The deeper harm often shows up in ways that can’t be added up with a calculator. That’s what lawyers call non-economic damages.

These damages cover the personal side of an injury—the pain, the stress, the changes to your daily life. They focus on the human cost of an accident, not just the financial one.

Why these damages matter

A settlement or court award isn’t just about replacing what was lost. It’s about helping you adjust, find support, and recover in every way possible.

If you can’t sleep through the night anymore, if you can’t play with your kids, or if you’re afraid to drive after a crash—that’s harm worth recognizing. Injury lawyers push for these damages because they know money alone can’t fix everything, but it can make life a little easier while you rebuild.

Common types of non-economic damages

Non-economic damages can cover a lot of different harms, including:

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Loss of companionship

• Anxiety and depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Damage to your reputation (in certain cases)

Some of these are physical. Some are emotional. All are important.

Pain and suffering explained

This covers the physical pain you’ve felt since the injury and any pain you’ll have in the future.

It might be sharp pain right after the accident or ongoing aches that never fully go away.

For example, someone with a spinal injury might struggle to sit for more than an hour without pain. That constant discomfort changes how you live your life and deserves compensation.

Emotional distress and mental health

Physical injuries are visible, but emotional wounds often run deeper. You might feel scared in certain places, have nightmares, or startle easily at loud sounds.

This can lead to anxiety, depression, and isolation. Lawyers often work with mental health professionals to show how serious the emotional toll is.

Loss of enjoyment of life

Before the injury, maybe you loved hiking, dancing, or fixing up old cars. Now, even simple activities leave you in pain or are no longer possible. That’s a loss that can’t be replaced.

It’s not about hobbies alone—it’s about missing out on the parts of life that made you happiest.

Impact on personal relationships

A serious injury can change your role in your family or your social life. You might not be able to help with chores, attend events, or be intimate with a partner the way you used to.

This is sometimes called “loss of consortium,” and it can apply to both spouses and children.

Proving non-economic damages

It might seem tricky to prove something that doesn’t come with a receipt. That’s why lawyers use a combination of:

• Your own story of how life has changed

• Testimony from friends and family

• Medical and therapy records

• Journals or recovery notes

• Expert witnesses who understand pain and trauma

The more details and proof, the stronger your case.

Why your own story matters

Nobody knows your daily struggles better than you. Your lawyer will often ask you to describe what you could do before the accident and what’s harder or impossible now.

It’s not about making your injury sound worse—it’s about making it real for the jury or insurance company.

How these damages are calculated

There’s no universal formula, but two common methods are:

• Multiplier method: Add up your economic damages (like medical bills) and multiply by a number that reflects the severity of your injury.

• Per diem method: Set a daily amount for your suffering and multiply it by how many days you’ve been affected.

The exact numbers depend on the injury, the evidence, and the law in your state.

Factors that affect the amount

Several things can change how much you get in non-economic damages:

• How severe the injury is

• How long you’ll live with the effects

• Your age and lifestyle before the accident

• Whether you seem credible and consistent

• Evidence from medical experts

A lifelong disability usually leads to higher damages than a short-term injury.

Non-economic damages in wrongful death cases

When someone dies because of negligence, their family can claim damages for the loss of love, guidance, and companionship.

This is separate from financial losses like lost income or funeral costs.

Civil rights cases and emotional harm

These damages aren’t just for accidents. In civil rights cases—like wrongful arrests, discrimination, or abuse of power—non-economic damages can cover humiliation, fear, and damage to dignity.

The harm in these cases is often more emotional than physical, but it’s still very real.

How insurance companies view these damages

Insurance companies tend to fight non-economic damages the hardest. They can’t measure them easily, so they often try to downplay them or deny they exist.

This is where a skilled lawyer becomes critical. They know the tactics insurers use and how to push for a fair offer.

The role of medical and therapy records

Even though these damages aren’t about receipts, your medical history is still important. Doctors and therapists can document the physical pain, emotional distress, and long-term impact of your injury.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, or chronic pain, those records can strongly support your claim.

Expert witnesses make a difference

Sometimes a lawyer will bring in specialists like psychologists, pain experts, or life-care planners. These experts explain how the injury affects your daily activities, relationships, and mental health.

Their testimony can help jurors understand why you’re asking for a certain amount.

Long-term effects and higher damages

The longer your suffering lasts, the higher the damages usually are. Permanent injuries, chronic pain, or lifelong emotional scars can lead to larger awards.

A young person who loses mobility in their leg, for example, will face decades of impact—work changes, missed opportunities, and lifestyle adjustments.

Comparing economic and non-economic damages

Economic damages are about hard numbers. Non-economic damages are about the personal, human side of loss.

In some cases, non-economic damages are much higher than the economic damages, especially when the injury changes someone’s life forever.

Settling vs. going to trial

During settlement talks, lawyers often calculate economic damages first, then add non-economic damages on top.

If the other side refuses to pay a fair amount for pain and suffering, the case may go before a jury.

Mistakes that weaken these claims

Some common missteps include:

• Not keeping a recovery journal

• Avoiding mental health treatment

• Downplaying pain to doctors

• Waiting too long to hire a lawyer

These make it harder to prove the true extent of your suffering.

How a journal helps your case

Writing down your symptoms, pain levels, and emotional struggles can be powerful evidence. It shows patterns and gives a day-to-day view of your recovery.

Even short notes like “couldn’t sleep because of back pain” can help.

Why juries often connect with these damages

Jurors can picture what it’s like to lose the ability to hug your kids, enjoy your hobbies, or feel safe at night. These are experiences they can relate to on a human level.

That connection can lead to fairer awards.

State limits on damages

Some states have caps on non-economic damages. In Georgia, there’s no general cap for personal injury, but medical malpractice cases can have limits.

A lawyer will know if these limits apply to your case.

How lawyers prepare you for testimony

Talking about personal loss in court isn’t easy. Your lawyer will help you practice your answers and prepare for cross-examination so you can share your story with confidence.

They’ll guide you on what details matter most.

Real examples of non-economic damages

• A crash victim couldn’t pick up their toddler for months and got compensation for pain and loss of enjoyment of life.

• A discrimination victim received damages for humiliation and emotional distress.

• A burn survivor got an award for lifelong pain and emotional trauma from visible scars.

Healing and moving forward

Fair non-economic damages can pay for therapy, adaptive equipment, and activities that improve your quality of life. They also provide a sense of justice for what you’ve been through.

They can’t erase the injury, but they can help you move forward.

Why timing matters

The sooner you start working on your case, the easier it is to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and get medical documentation. Waiting too long can make it harder to prove your claim.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Non-economic damages recognize the parts of your injury that can’t be counted in dollars—the pain, the stress, and the loss of life’s simple joys. They matter because they’re about you as a person, not just your bills.

A good serious injury lawyer will fight to make sure these damages aren’t overlooked. If you’ve been hurt, speak up about what’s changed in your life. Your story is a big part of getting the fairness you deserve.