If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. In Maryland, there are different types of compensation, depending on the situation. A rare form of compensation is punitive damages. Read on for more information regarding punitive damages in Maryland and what you need to know about recovering them.
Economic Damages
Economic damages may be awarded to the injured party to cover quantifiable burdens like hospital bills and lost wages. It is no surprise that hospital bills can become overwhelming, especially in cases of extended stays or multiple surgeries. In addition, the injured individual is likely out of work, recovering from the injury, making it difficult to pay these bills. Economic damages can also provide compensation for things like property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
In some personal injury cases, non-economic damages will be awarded. This compensation is for things like pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If an injury has taken a major toll and severely impacted your life, you may deserve compensation for these burdens.
What are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are not awarded often. These damages are not meant to award the injured party, but rather to punish the negligent party. They are also meant to deter any future negligent behavior. Punitive damages can be difficult to recover because it is not enough to simply prove negligence. Instead, you must prove that the party responsible for the injury acted with malice or gross negligence. Punitive damages are commonly awarded in drunk driving cases. When someone gets behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, this individual knows the risks and chooses to partake in this dangerous behavior anyway. This is more than just negligence. In some states, punitive damages have a cap, meaning that they cannot exceed a certain amount. Maryland does not have a cap when it comes to punitive damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. If you have been injured due to the willful and wanton conduct of another party, you may be able to recover punitive damages. These damages are difficult to recover, so you will need the help of a skilled personal injury attorney. Contact our firm today to discuss your case with a dedicated and experienced attorney.
Contact our experienced Maryland Firm
Here at the Ruben Law Firm, we understand how much your legal situation means to you. That is why we pledge to provide you with the personalized attention you deserve, every step of the way. Our firm is more than happy to assist you through matters of personal injury law, bankruptcy, family law, criminal defense, and estate planning. Attorney Ruben has helped clients achieve favorable results in a wide array of legal matters for years, and he is ready to do the same for you. Simply contact the Ruben Law Firm today.
