Types of Personal Injury Damages in Iowa

When you or a loved one is injured in an accident or due to another’s negligence, there are several different types of damages that may be available to you in Iowa:

1.      Medical Expenses/Bills – This is one of the most common damages for someone involved in an accident.  Examples of medical expenses include ambulance and emergency room fees, hospital and rehabilitative care, medication and prescription costs, medical equipment costs, physical therapy fees, doctor charges, hospital charges, chiropractic care, and long-term care fees. In addition to the costs that you already incurred from the accident up to the point of trial, you also be entitled to the value of medical expenses and services which will be incurred in the future.    

 2.      Property Damage – If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, chances are you have damage to your vehicle.  Iowa law provides for property damages based on the difference between the reasonable market value of your vehicle immediately before and after the damage.  In addition, Iowa law provides for the reasonable value of the use of the vehicle for the time reasonably required to obtain a replacement. For example, if your car is totaled in the accident, you may be entitled to the costs of a rental car during the time in which it takes you to purchase a replacement vehicle.

 3.      Lost Wages –If the injuries you suffered in the accident cause you to miss work or be unable to work, Iowa law provides for a category of damages called Loss of Time – Earnings.  This is compensation for the time you missed from work and can include paid time off or vacation that you may have used. 

 4.      Loss of Future Earning Capacity – In Iowa, an injured party may be entitled to the value of loss of future earning capacity.  This is the reduction in the ability to work and earn money generally due to your injuries in an accident.  

 5.      Pain, Suffering and Emotional Distress – This is a category of damages for the physical and mental pain and suffering from the date of the injury to the time of trial.  Iowa law also provides for a category of future damages for pain and suffering.  The physical pain and suffering may include, but is not limited to, bodily suffering or discomfort.  The mental pain and suffering may include, but is not limited to, mental anguish, anxiety, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment or life or other emotional distress. 

 6.      Loss of Function of Mind and Body – This is defined as loss of function of the mind and body from the date of injury to the time of trial.  Iowa law also provides for a category of future damages for loss of function of mind and body.  This category provides damages for the inability of a particular part of the mind and body to function in a normal manner.       

 7.      Loss of Consortium or Companionship – This category of damages is available to a spouse, parent or child of the injury party.  These damages are provided to compensate for the loss of relationship caused by the accident.    

 8.      Punitive Damages – Another type of damages available in certain injury cases are punitive damages. They are not intended to compensate for injury but are allowed to punish and discourage the negligent party and others from similar conduct in the future. 

 If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the attorneys at Crimmins & Kehm Law Firm for a free consultation.