What Are Damage Caps?
Damage caps are legal limitations placed on the amount of compensation a claimant can recover in a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit. These caps are typically enacted to address concerns about rising insurance costs and to create a more predictable legal environment. However, they can also be controversial, as they restrict the ability of severely injured plaintiffs to be fully compensated for their losses.
It is important to distinguish between two main categories of damages in these cases: economic and non-economic. While economic damages are concrete and verifiable expenses, non-economic damages are meant to compensate for intangible losses like:
- pain and suffering,
- emotional distress, and
- loss of enjoyment of life.
This distinction is important, as some states choose to implement damage caps that apply solely to non-economic damages. This means that a plaintiff's recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and other quantifiable losses would be unrestricted, but there would be a maximum amount they could receive for pain and suffering and other subjective experiences.
In New York, claimants in medical malpractice cases (and other personal injury claims) do not need to worry about damage caps. While some states do limit the non-economic damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases, New York is not one such state. Victims of medical malpractice can pursue
Economic Damages in Medical Malpractice
As we mentioned, economic damages in medical malpractice claims refer to the quantifiable monetary losses a patient incurs as a direct result of negligent medical care. These damages are critical in compensating the victim for the financial impact of the malpractice, ensuring they are not left bearing the costs of someone else's mistake.
Some of the key components of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses. Costs for past and future medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost wages. Because of your injury, you may be unable to work, which impacts your income. You can use paystubs to document your loss of income and be compensated for this loss. This includes both past lost wages and future loss of earning capacity.
- Cost of living adjustments. Expenses related to adjustments or modifications needed in the home or other living situations to accommodate disabilities caused by the malpractice.
- Out-of-pocket costs. Additional expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, medical equipment, and any other incidental costs associated with the treatment and recovery process.
Properly calculating these damages ensures that patients receive fair compensation for their monetary losses. Establishing economic damages in a medical malpractice claim requires a comprehensive paper trail to prove the financial burden caused by the provider's negligence.
Gather itemized receipts from all medical professionals involved in treating your malpractice-related injury. Paystubs or income documentation will demonstrate lost wages due to hospitalization, recovery, or limitations from the injury. Don't forget receipts for medications, equipment, or other necessary purchases related to your treatment.
While compiling this evidence can be overwhelming, especially for severe injuries, an experienced medical malpractice attorney is invaluable. They can help gather and organize documents and may even employ economic experts to project future lost wages and calculate the total financial impact of the malpractice on your life. Their guidance can help ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your economic losses.
Non-Economic Damages in Medical Malpractice
As we mentioned, while aiming to compensate for the intangible, these damages are crucial in addressing the broader impact of malpractice on a patient's quality of life, encompassing emotional and psychological suffering. Non-economic damages can be calculated when consideration is given to the following:
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain and discomfort resulting from the malpractice and its treatment.
- Emotional distress. Damages for the mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and other emotional hardships caused by the incident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. Compensation for the decreased ability to enjoy day-to-day activities and hobbies that were once part of the patient's life.
- Loss of consortium. Damages awarded for the negative impact on the patient's relationship with their spouse or family members, including loss of companionship and support.
- Disfigurement and disability. Compensation for permanent physical changes or disabilities resulting from the malpractice.
New York Punitive Damages
In New York, punitive damages are a rare but potentially significant element of a medical malpractice claim. Unlike compensatory damages (i.e., non-economic and economic damages), punitive damages are intended to punish the healthcare provider for egregious misconduct.
The burden of proof for punitive damages is high. The plaintiff must demonstrate, with clear and convincing evidence, that the provider's negligence rose to the level of evil or malicious conduct, exhibiting a conscious and deliberate disregard for the patient's safety and well-being.
This standard goes beyond a simple breach of professional duty or even medical error. If successful, punitive damages can serve as a deterrent to similar actions by the provider and others in the medical field.
Learn What You Can Recover Financially in a Lawsuit
Claimants can count on Belushin Law Firm, P.C. for quality and reliable counsel in complex medical malpractice cases, including but not limited to:
- surgical errors,
- failures to diagnose,
- emergency room errors,
- birth injuries,
- anesthesia errors,
- fraudulent stem cell therapy, and
- nursing home negligence.
With over a decade of experience, our firm has built a legacy of successful case outcomes and a long list of satisfied clients. Known for our commitment to excellence, our team can work tirelessly to help you obtain a favorable case outcome and the compensation you deserve.
Call (888) 918-9890 to schedule a consultation, where you can discuss your case with a member of our team.