Economic vs Non-Economic Damages in Aviation Cases

When an aviation accident occurs, serious injuries often result. In many cases, the incident is fatal. 

Victims have legal rights after an accident, and that includes surviving family members of those who were killed. Slack Davis can help you to enforce those rights and take appropriate legal action against the airline, pilot, FAA, or others responsible for the accident.

When you make a claim after an aviation accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. It’s important to understand the different kinds of damages you can collect to ensure that you get the money you deserve. Our aviation accident attorneys will work with you to evaluate your case and understand the compensation you should collect. 

Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation so you can get personalized case advice. You can also read on to learn about the differences between economic and non-economic damages in aviation accident claims.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages in Aviation Accidents

When you take legal action after someone hurts you or kills your family member, you are entitled to be “made whole,” or compensated fully for the damage you endured.  This means you should be paid for both economic and non-economic loss, and you should understand both. 

Here are the different kinds of compensation you may be entitled to after an aviation accident:

• Economic damages: Economic damages compensate you for actual financial loss. This includes medical bills incurred before death if the injuries weren’t immediately fatal. It also includes all income that the victim lost due to the incident, including a lifetime of lost wages in cases of a fatal accident. Funeral and burial costs and property damage are also economic damages. 
• Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages include the non-financial loss resulting from the incident. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost companionship are all examples of non-economic damages. Unfortunately, aviation accidents can be traumatic, so these damages can be significant. 

In some limited situations, there is also a third type of damages called punitive damages that may be available in cases of extreme negligence or gross negligence. Examples include when safety protocols were clearly ignored, showing a disregard for human life.

How Can You Maximize Your Damages in Aviation Cases?

Slack Davis can help you maximize the damages available to you in aviation cases. We can work with you to:

• Obtain medical records, funeral bills, and other evidence of economic loss
• Demonstrate the extent of pain, suffering, and emotional distress through approaches like keeping a diary and showcasing the strength of your relationship and the extent of your lost companionship damages
• Determine if punitive damages should apply by subpoenaing records from the pilot, airline, Federal Aviation Administration, or other responsible parties to see if gross negligence was involved
• Consult with experts, including actuaries and vocational experts, who can demonstrate the extent of the lost wages

Our aviation accident attorneys have recovered millions for clients in aircraft accident claims by building strong cases, refusing to back down during settlement negotiations, and presenting compelling evidence in court.

Contact an Aviation Accident Lawyer Today

There is a lot of money at stake in aviation accident claims. Slack Davis has 30 years of experience with these complex cases, and we have demonstrated our commitment to top-notch client service. 

To find out more about how an aviation accident lawyer at our firm can help you maximize the compensation you collect, give us a call at (800) 455-8686 or contact us online today.