What Damages Can Be Recovered in Medical Malpractice Cases?
Damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages include out-of-pocket losses that have ascertainable monetary value, such as lost earnings and medical bills. If the loss can be replaced with money, it is “economic.” Non-economic damages are typically known as “pain and suffering” damages. It is compensation for physical impairment or disability, or the diminished enjoyment of life caused by the malpractice. If the malpractice resulted in a patient’s death, the damages include compensation for the lost financial support that the spouse and family would have received, and compensation for the loss of the decedents care, comfort and love.
