Types of Damages You Can Recover After an Accident in Washington

What Are “Damages” in a Personal Injury Claim?

In personal injury law, damages refer to the financial compensation you may be entitled to after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

In Washington, you can recover compensation for both financial and emotional losses, depending on the facts of your case.

Economic Damages: Tangible Financial Losses

Economic damages cover the measurable costs related to your injury. These include:

• Medical expenses: hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy
• Future medical care: ongoing treatment for chronic or permanent injuries
• Lost wages: income missed while you were unable to work
• Loss of earning capacity: if you can’t return to your previous job or income level
• Property damage: such as vehicle repair or replacement
• Out-of-pocket expenses: like medical travel or home care

Non-Economic Damages: Pain, Suffering, and More

Non-economic damages are more subjective, but just as important. Washington law allows injured individuals to recover for:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Anxiety, PTSD, or depression
• Loss of consortium (impact on relationships and companionship)

There are no caps on non-economic damages in Washington, which means a jury can award any amount they believe is fair based on the evidence.

For more details, see our Washington Personal Injury Laws page.

Are Punitive Damages Allowed in Washington?

Generally, punitive damages are not available in Washington personal injury cases.

Unlike other states, Washington does not allow additional punitive damages unless specifically authorized by statute, and most negligence claims do not qualify.

How Are Damages Calculated?

Calculating damages involves:

1. Adding all documented financial losses
2. Estimating future medical needs or lost earning power
3. Assigning a value to pain and suffering based on severity and impact
4. Applying any fault adjustments under Washington’s comparative fault system

Washington uses pure comparative negligence, which means your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. See our Comparative Fault in WA guide for more.

What Factors Can Affect Your Total Compensation?

• Severity of your injuries
• Duration of recovery
• Whether you can return to work
• Medical documentation and expert reports
• Whether liability is clear or disputed
• How quickly you act (see Statute of Limitations)

Why You Need a Lawyer to Maximize Recovery

Insurance companies don’t offer fair compensation automatically. In fact, they may:

• Downplay your pain and suffering
• Argue that some treatment was unnecessary
• Assign you a high percentage of fault
• Offer low settlements, hoping you’ll accept quickly

At Morgan Hill PC, we build strong claims with clear evidence, expert opinions, and aggressive negotiation. If needed, we’re ready to take your case to trial.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Olympia or anywhere in Washington, don’t leave your financial future to chance.

Call Morgan Hill PC today for a free consultation. Let us help you understand what your claim may really be worth.