When an unexpected accident turns your life upside down — a crash on Washington Road, a fall in an Augusta business, or an injury on a job site in Evans — recovery isn’t just about medical treatment. It’s about rebuilding your life, your finances, and your sense of normalcy.
Georgia law recognizes that injuries cause both financial and personal harm, and compensation should reflect that full impact. That’s why personal injury cases seek two main types of damages: economic and non-economic. At Burnside Law Firm LLP, with offices in Augusta and Athens, our attorneys focus on more than just getting a settlement — we make sure every client’s story is fully told and valued. With over five decades of combined experience, our team has helped Georgia families recover millions by presenting clear, evidence-based claims for both types of damages.
Understanding Georgia’s Two Categories of Compensation
Economic Damages: The Financial Cost of an Accident
These are the measurable, concrete losses — the expenses that show up on bills and statements.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost of an Injury
These reflect the pain, stress, and emotional loss that can’t be quantified by numbers but matter just as much.
Both categories work together to make a victim “whole” again under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-6, which governs personal injury recovery in Georgia.
Economic Damages: What You Can Measure
1. Medical Expenses and Rehabilitation
Hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and therapy all fall under economic damages. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that injury-related hospitalizations exceed 70,000 per year, with medical costs exceeding $1.5 billion statewide.
In Augusta, home to major trauma facilities like Piedmont Augusta and Doctors Hospital, victims often face months of therapy and long-term care needs — which can easily push expenses into six figures.
2. Lost Wages and Diminished Future Income
If you miss work or can’t return to your former job, those lost paychecks count as economic damages.
A 2024 state workforce report found that the average injured Georgian misses 21 workdays following a serious accident. That lost income — plus the potential reduction in future earnings — can significantly raise the value of your claim.
3. Property Damage and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Vehicle repairs, medical travel, mobility aids, and home modifications are reimbursable when directly tied to the accident. Even small expenses, like parking or child care during medical appointments, can be recovered if documented properly.
Non-Economic Damages: What You Feel, Not What You Owe
Money can cover bills, but it can’t erase pain. Non-economic damages exist to acknowledge what you’ve endured — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
1. Pain and Suffering
These damages reflect both current pain and future discomfort. For example, a patient recovering from spinal surgery after a collision on I-20 near Augusta might experience chronic pain that limits their lifestyle for years.
2. Emotional Distress and Mental Health Effects
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 injury survivors experience long-term anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Georgia courts routinely award compensation for documented psychological harm, especially when verified by licensed therapists or physicians.
3. Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An avid golfer who can no longer play at Forest Hills Golf Club or a parent unable to coach youth sports due to injury deserves acknowledgment for that loss.
4. Loss of Consortium
When a severe injury impacts a marriage — affecting companionship, affection, or intimacy — spouses may also seek separate recovery under Georgia law.
How Georgia Courts Value These Damages
While economic losses are straightforward, non-economic losses are more subjective. Juries and insurers often use what’s known as the multiplier method — multiplying total economic damages by a number (usually 1.5 to 5) based on the injury’s severity.
For example, if your economic damages total $80,000 and your pain and suffering are rated 3×, your non-economic damages could reach $240,000, for a total of $320,000 in compensation.
But arriving at these numbers takes skill. That’s where experienced, detail-oriented attorneys make a difference.
Why Burnside Law Firm LLP Approaches Cases Differently
At Burnside Law Firm LLP, we believe a strong damages case isn’t just about math — it’s about meaning. Our approach stands out in three key ways:
1. Evidence-Driven Case Building
We start by collecting every possible record — from medical files and wage statements to photos and witness reports. Our attorneys partner with financial analysts, rehabilitation specialists, and medical professionals to ensure every dollar and detail is verified.
2. Personalized Client Advocacy
Unlike larger firms where clients rarely meet their attorney, our clients work directly with a partner, not just a paralegal. Every story is unique, and we take the time to understand how an injury truly affects your life.
When a client in Martinez described not being able to attend her child’s graduation due to back pain, we used that story — supported by medical evidence — to secure a settlement that included meaningful non-economic damages.
3. Courtroom-Ready Preparation
Even when a case is likely to settle, we prepare as if it’s going to trial. Insurance carriers recognize that readiness — and it often leads to higher settlements. Our attorneys have argued before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Georgia, and multiple U.S. District Courts, giving us the experience to back our negotiations with authority.
That trial-ready mindset is part of why our firm and its attorneys have earned recognition from:
- Best Lawyers in America
- Georgia Super Lawyers
- Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
How Burnside’s Georgia Roots Strengthen Every Case
Because our team lives and works in Georgia, we understand the local realities of personal injury claims:
- Richmond County juries tend to respond strongly to evidence of community impact or long-term disability.
- Athens and Clarke County courts often move faster but demand detailed documentation.
- Evans and Martinez cases frequently involve workplace or roadway claims — areas where our attorneys have deep experience.
That local insight, paired with decades of combined trial success, helps us anticipate opposing counsel’s tactics and present evidence that resonates with Georgia juries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I can’t prove all my non-economic losses?
A: Your attorney can use medical expert testimony, therapy records, and personal journals to strengthen your claim. We also work with family members to explain how your injury changed your life.
Q: How do insurance companies handle non-economic damages?
A: Most use internal formulas that undervalue human suffering. Having a trial-ready firm ensures your damages are based on real evidence, not arbitrary software calculations.
Q: Can I receive compensation for future pain or treatment?
A: Yes. Georgia allows recovery for anticipated medical costs and ongoing suffering when supported by credible medical testimony.
Q: Are punitive damages included in these categories?
A: No. Punitive damages are separate and apply only when the defendant’s conduct was intentional or egregious — such as drunk driving.
Q: How can Burnside Law Firm LLP help me determine the full value of my claim?
A: We provide a detailed damages analysis early in your case, combining financial review, medical projections, and emotional impact assessment to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Takeaway: True Recovery Means Accounting for Every Loss
A successful personal injury case in Georgia isn’t just about paying bills — it’s about restoring balance after trauma. Whether you suffered physical pain, emotional distress, or financial hardship, both economic and non-economic damages deserve fair recognition.
At Burnside Law Firm LLP, we don’t rush cases — we build them. From Augusta to Athens, our attorneys take a meticulous, compassionate approach to valuing the full story behind every injury. Serving Augusta, Athens, Evans, Martinez, and surrounding Georgia communities — Burnside Law Firm LLP combines integrity, preparation, and personalized representation to help injured clients reclaim their future.
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