Baltimore is known for its rich history and culture. No matter how amazing a city is, it is bound to have seen mass torts.
Mass torts happen when many people get harmed due to an individual or entity’s negligence, leading to injury or illness. The injured can then file a claim against the entity that caused the injury and get compensation for their losses.
If an injury or illness impacts a person and they plan to file a mass tort claim in Baltimore, they must hire Baltimore mass tort attorneys to guide them through the process. This blog serves as a guide for plaintiffs to understand the compensation they can get, what factors affect the amount, and how they can increase the chances of a high compensation.
Compensatory Damages in Mass Torts
The damages a plaintiff can claim in mass torts are of two types:
A. Economic Damages
They are the compensation for the plaintiff’s financial losses due to the injury or illness. Here are some types of economic damages:
- Medical Expenses: The plaintiff can claim compensation for their current and future medical expenses for treating the injury or illness they suffer. This can include routine check-ups, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, etc.
- Lost Wages: In most cases, injuries and illness lead to the plaintiff needing time off to recover or to even go for their medical appointments, leading to lost wages. The plaintiff can claim compensation for the current and future lost wages.
- Loss of Earning Potential: Some injuries or illnesses seriously decrease the plaintiff’s overall health; such injuries might not allow the plaintiff to go back to their old job, pushing them to quit working or to take a lower-paying job; the plaintiff can claim compensation for this loss of earning potential as well.
- Property Damage: If the plaintiff’s property has been damaged or lost due to the crime committed by the defendant, they can get compensation for repairing or replacing their property.
B. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are monetary compensation for the intangible losses the plaintiff has faced due to their injury or illness. Some types of non-economic damages are:
- Pain and Suffering: Injuries and illnesses often cause a lot of physical and mental pain and suffering. The plaintiff can get monetary compensation for the same to act as a relief.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: In severe cases, injuries and illnesses become a block in the plaintiff’s life. They could restrict the plaintiff’s movement, make them sensitive to specific things, or cause trauma that doesn’t allow them to enjoy their life. Plaintiffs can get compensation if their injury or illness causes loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of Consortium: When a person is severely injured or ill due to someone else’s negligence, it doesn’t just affect the victim, it also affects their family. In such situations, the victim’s partner, and in some states, the victim’s parents and children, can get compensation for the loss of the comfort and companionship the victim brought to their life.
Tips for Maximizing Compensation
In all kinds of claims, the steps the plaintiff takes can significantly influence their compensation. Here is how to ensure maximum compensation:
- Seek Medical Attention: Be it injury or illness, victims must seek immediate medical attention and ensure they are fully examined to establish the extent of damages caused by the defense’s negligence.
- Preserve Evidence: Plaintiffs must make sure that they keep a thorough record of all the losses they have faced. Evidence such as medical bills, prescriptions, pay slips, etc., can be helpful.
- Avoid Quick Settlements: Plaintiffs are likely to be bombarded by the defense trying to offer them a settlement. This tactic is to get the plaintiff to accept a much lower settlement, as they likely do not know the extent of their damages or are under too much pressure.
- Work with an Experienced Lawyer: Hiring a local mass tort lawyer to help with the claim can be beneficial, as their experience and expertise can guide the plaintiff through the legal complexities. They will ensure no stone is left unturned to get the plaintiff the highest compensation possible.
