Understanding damages in Pittsburgh medical malpractice cases is essential for victims seeking compensation. These damages include economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and punitive damages meant to hold negligent providers accountable.
Discover what compensation may be available in your specific case during a free consultation with one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Bordas & Bordas.
Economic damages are losses that can be calculated objectively. In Pittsburgh medical malpractice cases, these may include:
For past medical expenses, the total amount spent on medical bills is considered. While there are billed charges and actual payments, the amounts paid typically determine the damages for past medical expenses. The same applies to funeral expensesâwhatever costs are incurred are submitted as economic damages.
For future medical expenses, a doctor assesses the injured party’s long-term care needs resulting from the medical malpractice claim. A nurse or future care expert then calculates the associated costs. Finally, an economist evaluates these figures and reduces them to present value.
For lost wages, past earnings are straightforwardâthey are simply the wages lost due to the injury. Future lost wages involve a doctor determining whether the person can work or has limitations. An economist then projects the loss of earning capacity based on those findings.
These are damages that are difficult to measure objectively. There is a lot of subjectivity involved. Examples of non-economic damages in a Pittsburgh medical malpractice case include:
Once all the evidence is submitted, the jury or fact-finder will exercise their responsibility to determine the credibility of the evidence. Based on the severity of the injury, expert testimony, and how the victimâs life has been affected, the jury determines how much compensation the injured party should receive.
Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendants, as opposed to economic damages and non-economic damages, which are designed to compensate an injured party. In Pittsburgh medical malpractice cases, these damages may be awarded if a healthcare provider:
A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney could advocate for punitive damages by emphasizing a juryâs power to enhance patient safety and healthcare quality through their verdicts.
With a punitive damages verdict, the jury can “send a message” not only to the defendant but also to the broader medical community, discouraging similar misconduct. The goal is to ensure that what happened in this case never happens again.
Pennsylvania does not impose limits on economic or non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. However, punitive damages are capped at two times the amount of actual damages.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages in a Pittsburgh medical malpractice case. Our dedicated team of lawyers could help you pursue the recovery you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
