If a doctor or other healthcare provider made a mistake that caused you harm, you may have a medical malpractice claim against them. These cases allow patients to recover compensation for both their financial and personal losses. One of the most important parts of any claim involves economic damages, which are the measurable financial losses caused by the injury.
Economic damages are designed to repay you for the money you’ve lost because of the medical error in question. This includes both what you’ve already spent and what you’re likely to lose in the future. Learning about what qualifies as economic damage can help you know what your case might be worth, at least in part.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages include all the direct financial costs linked to your injury. These losses are easier to calculate than non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) because they typically have supporting documentation such as bills and receipts.
Some of the most common examples include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Therapy
- Out-of-pocket costs
Economic damages are intended to restore you to your pre-injury financial state. They cover what the injury has already cost you and what it will continue to cost in the future.
How Economic Damages Are Calculated in Georgia
Calculating economic damages in a medical malpractice case often requires expert help. For current losses, such as medical bills and missed paychecks, your lawyer will collect direct proof, including invoices or payroll records.
Future damages are more complicated. These might include:
- Ongoing therapy and medication
- The cost of medical devices like prosthetics
- Lifelong nursing and home care
- Future income you won’t earn because of your injuries
Attorneys often work with medical and financial experts to estimate these future losses. Their testimony helps show the court or insurance company the full financial impact of your injury.
Medical Malpractice and Economic Damages Under Georgia Law
Georgia’s medical malpractice laws are found under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-27. To recover damages, you must prove that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this negligence caused your injuries.
Once liability is proven, Georgia law allows you to recover the entire amount of your economic losses. In other words, there’s no cap or upper limit on these damages. This means if you need lifelong medical treatment and/or can no longer work, you can pursue compensation for every dollar those losses represent.
In contrast, non-economic damages are more difficult to measure and often face stricter challenges in court. Economic damages, however, are supported by clear, documented evidence and form a substantial component of most medical malpractice claims.
Proving Economic Damages
You will need strong evidence to show how the injury has affected you financially. Common types of proof for economic damages include:
- Medical records and bills that outline the treatment you received
- Employment and income statements proving lost wages
- Expert reports from doctors and economists explaining your future needs
- Receipts or invoices for all out-of-pocket expenses related to your care
Your lawyer can organize these materials and present them clearly on your behalf, ensuring that no part of your financial loss is overlooked.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Medical Malpractice Injury in Georgia?
Sometimes, a healthcare provider might argue that your actions contributed to your injury — for example, by not following medical instructions. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
If you are found partly responsible, your award may be reduced by your share of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 10% at fault, you could still recover $90,000. However, if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you won’t recover anything.
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help defend you from these arguments and protect the full value of your case.
Contact an Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyer at The Moses Firm for a Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered harm because of a medical mistake, you shouldn’t have to face the financial fallout without compensation. Economic damages exist to cover the real costs of your injury, from hospital bills to future care and lost wages.
At The Moses Firm, we have over 50 years of combined experience helping clients through complex cases like yours. To date, we’ve also recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of medical malpractice victims in the area.
Contact us today at (404) 721-1050 for a free consultation with an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer. We can explain your rights and help you understand the next steps toward a financial recovery.