The purpose of filing a personal injury claim is to recover monetary compensation for specific losses, or “damages,” related to your injuries. Damages can be economic or non-economic and nature, meaning they may have a set dollar value, or they may be more intangible. 

Some examples of common damages in personal injury cases include: 

• Emergency medical care 
• Ambulance and hospital fees 
• Surgeries and other treatments
• Rehabilitation 
• Physical therapy 
• Prescription medications 
• Medical equipment and devices 
• Future medical care costs and related expenses
• Lost income, wages, and benefits 
• Loss of future earnings 
• Diminished earning capacity 
• Physical and mental pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress and anguish 
• Reduced enjoyment/quality of life 
• Costs associated with home modifications to accommodate a physical impairment or disability  
• Assistance with household chores, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses

Sometimes, injured victims or the families of those wrongfully killed are also entitled to punitive, or exemplary, damages. In contrast to the compensatory damages listed above, punitive damages are not meant to compensate you for specific losses you have endured as a result of your injury. Instead, they are meant to punish the defendant for gross negligence or a willful act or omission leading to your injury. 

Our Little Rock personal injury attorneys can review the details of your case and determine the types of damages you may be entitled to receive, as well as the potential overall value of your case. Note that no attorney or law firm can accurately predict how much you may receive in compensation, but we can assure you that we will fight tirelessly to maximize the value of your claim. We fight for every penny our clients are owed, even if that means taking cases to court. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Arkansas? 

Like other states, Arkansas has a strict filing deadline for personal injury lawsuits. Known as the “statute of limitations,” this deadline is just three years from the date of injury (or death in wrongful death cases). If more than three years pass, and you do not file a lawsuit, your case will almost certainly be dismissed by the court. 

There are some exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations, but they are rare. In some cases, when an injury is not immediately discoverable, the statute of limitations will be tolled (or deferred) to three years from the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered. Additionally, different deadlines and filing requirements generally apply when you wish to file a lawsuit against a government agency or municipal entity. 

We strongly encourage you to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer, like ours at Kelley Law Firm, right away for help with your claim. The sooner your attorney can begin investigating your case and putting together evidence on your behalf, the better.