Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to measurable financial losses caused by your accident. These damages are intended to reimburse you for expenses or income lost due to your injury. Here are the main types of economic damages you can claim in a falling object accident:
1. Medical Expenses
The first and often most significant cost after an injury is medical treatment. Falling objects can cause traumatic injuries, such as concussions, spinal cord damage, or broken bones. Medical expenses may include:
- Emergency room visits
- Diagnostic tests (e.g., X-rays, MRIs)
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Prescription medications
- Ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation
For instance, if a poorly secured sign falls and fractures your arm at a Oklahoma convenience store, the costs to treat that injury—from doctor visits to rehabilitation—would be recoverable.
2. Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim lost wages. This includes:
- Income you couldn’t earn during recovery.
- Sick leave or vacation time used up because of the incident.
Example: Imagine you’re injured in a falling debris accident at a Oklahoma construction site and are unable to work for a month. Your lost income, whether you’re salaried or hourly, forms part of your compensation claim.
3. Loss of Earning Capacity
For more severe injuries that permanently affect your ability to work, you may claim loss of earning capacity. This includes projected income you would have earned had the injury not occurred. Courts often determine this through expert testimony based on your profession, age, and education level.
4. Property Damage
If the falling object damaged your personal property (e.g., a car, phone, or other belongings), you can include repair or replacement costs in your claim. An example might involve a piece of construction equipment falling from a scaffold and severely denting your parked car.