The term “damages” refers to monetary compensation that a plaintiff may be awarded in a lawsuit. A court awards damages to help make an injured party “whole,” or to restore him or her to the position he or she was in (or as close as possible) before the injury occurred.   In general, there are three major types of damages: Compensatory:These are the most common and the most easily identifiable of the three damages, and are paid to “compensate” you for losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and property replacement. General:These are damages that cannot be readily tied to a dollar amount, and include pain and suffering, a shortened life expectancy, and mental anguish. Punitive:These are awarded for the sole purpose of punishing the defendant for their conduct. Settlements consist of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include: Medical expenses: If you have proof of your medical expenses, the court may order the defendant to pay those back. If you're expecting to have to pay for more surgeries, treatments, therapies, and prescriptions in the future, the court may figure out an estimated cost for these as well. Lost wages: If your injuries left you unable to work, the court may order you to be compensated for lost wages. If you can’t return to work in the future, your future lost wages may also be recoverable. Potential earnings: Similar to lost wages, this is a figure representing what you would have earned had not the accident taken place. Property damage: Most likely your vehicle was damaged in the car accident. These damages would help pay to restore or replace that vehicle. If you had other property in the car that was damaged, those costs may also be figured into this award. Out of pocket expenses relating to the accident: These may include travel expenses, if required during your medical treatments, mileage reimbursement, parking fees and expenses, car rental fees, and towing and storage fees. If your injury has made housekeeping or childcare difficult or impossible, you may be able to recover compensation for cleaning help, childcare, personal assistance, and other household services. Also, if you have ongoing medical treatments relating to your injury, your attorney will help you estimate those figures.   Non-economic damages include: Pain and suffering: This refers to any physical pain and discomfort that you suffered during and after the accident, but it may include emotional or psychological suffering as well, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Loss of consortium: This is a legal term used to describe the loss of a partner or spouse’s physical companionship, including a sexual relationship. If you or a passenger in your vehicle was injured in such a way that it affects your relationship, you could be eligible for these damages. Loss of enjoyment: A car accident can change your life. You may find that your injuries make it more difficult to enjoy the activities you once enjoyed, or to go about your life as you did before. If you can no longer take part in your day-to-day activities, you may be entitled to compensation for these losses. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania does not impose a cap on damages, except for claims involving government agencies.