Each year there are over 750,000 cases of assault reported in America. These range drastically in severity, but the frequency in which they occur shows that you need to be prepared for the possibility that this could impact you in your daily life. Over the course of this blog, we’ll detail different types of assault and what these cases entail, so that you can be prepared in the event that you, or someone close to you, is a victim.
Degrees of Assault
Not every type of assault is the same. There are some distinct differences between simple assault and aggravated assault and this is determined based on a number of unique factors. As Jacksonwhitelaw.com points out, physical contact is not a prerequisite for simple assault. If someone even makes a threat to commit bodily harm against you, this can be considered a form of assault. Aggravated assault is much more severe in nature. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is using a deadly weapon, for example, the charge would typically be elevated to aggravated assault.
Types of Damages
There are three different types of damages related to these personal injury cases. The first is economic damages, which relates to expenses as a result of the assault. Medical bills, loss of wages, and ongoing rehabilitation all fall under the economic category. Punitive damages are less common, and are normally only reserved for the most severe kinds of personal injury. Unlike economic damages, the emphasis is on disciplining the aggressor, rather than compensating the victim. Pain and suffering would fall under the category of non-economic damages, and while this may be more difficult to demonstrate in court depending on the case, it is possible to do so based on trauma related to the incident.
Compensation
Compensation varies greatly on a case by case basis and is determined based on factors unique to each incident. The degree of the injury inflicted plays the largest role in determining this, as a more severe injury is likely to result in larger medical bills and loss of income. In order to obtain a proper estimate for the type of compensation you can expect to receive, you’ll want to an experienced legal professional to explore the nuances of your case. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer not only gives you the best chance of winning your case, but allows you to recover from your injuries without the stress of handling all the legal procedures that come with a personal injury claim.