If you’ve been injured, the cost of rehabilitation and recovery isn’t just about medical bills or car repairs. What about the sleepless nights, the anxiety behind the wheel, or the lost time and opportunities with your family? These types of losses don’t show up on an invoice, but they matter just as much. These are called “General Damages.” There is no receipt or billing with a specific dollar amount on it (those are different and called economic, “Special Damages”).
In Arizona, injury victims have the right to pursue non-economic damages – the kind that reflects the real, lived impact of pain, trauma, and disrupted lives. Unlike some states, Arizona places no cap on these types of damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases. Jeff GOULD Law is the – Attorney in YOUR Corner – with over 25 years of experience in personal injury cases, and we believe that your pain deserves to be acknowledged and compensated. Here’s what you need to know about non-economic, general damages and how we help you fight for the full value of your recovery.
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What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are often described as general or, the invisible injuries. The ones that don’t show up in your medical records or on a financial spreadsheet but can reshape your life just the same. There is no set # or value, and they vary from person to person. They include things like:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of time, opportunity, and services
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of companionship or marital strain (known as “loss of consortium”)
These damages acknowledge the truth: that serious injuries don’t just cost money, they cost peace of mind, freedom, dignity, and joy.
Why They Matter So Much in Arizona
In many states, lawmakers have established limits, known as “damage caps,” that restrict the amount of non-economic damages an individual can receive. But not in Arizona.
According to Article 2, Section 31 of the Arizona Constitution: “No law shall be enacted in this State limiting the amount of damages to be recovered for causing the death or injury of any person.”
This means if you’re injured in Arizona, you are legally entitled to pursue full, uncapped compensation for pain and suffering. And that’s important, because no two people experience injury the same way.
Common Examples of Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic damages cover a wide range of personal hardships. Every case is unique, but some of the most common losses include:
- Chronic physical pain that affects daily activities
- PTSD or emotional trauma following a serious car crash
- Anxiety or panic attacks that make it hard to return to work
- Embarrassment or shame due to visible scars or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment from no longer being able to hike, play with children, or pursue hobbies
- Marital or relational strain, especially in cases of long-term disability
These losses are profoundly personal and should be taken seriously when calculating what you’re owed.
How These Damages Are Proven and Valued in Arizona
Non-economic damages can be harder to calculate than economic ones, but that doesn’t make them any less real. The key is to build strong, compelling evidence that demonstrates how the injury has impacted your life. At Jeff GOULD Law, we help you document your suffering through:
- Personal journals or symptom trackers
- Testimony from loved ones
- Mental health records and counseling documentation
- Photographs or video evidence of day-to-day limitations
- Expert witnesses who can speak to long-term impacts
We know how to present your story clearly, powerfully, and persuasively to insurance companies, judges, and juries alike.
The Jeff GOULD Law Approach
Jeff GOULD Law is the Attorney in YOUR Corner, and we understand that a successful case is about more than just numbers. It’s about restoring dignity, honoring hardship, and helping you reclaim the life you were living before the accident.
We take the time to get to know each client, understand the full scope of your losses, and fight for the compensation you truly deserve, not just what’s easy to calculate.
You Deserve to Be Made Whole
Pain and suffering may not come with a receipt, but they matter. And under Arizona law, you have every right to seek justice for the emotional and personal toll your injury has taken.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident in the Oro Valley, Marana, or Tucson area…
Don’t SETTLE for less than you deserve:
Call Jeff GOULD Law, the Attorney in YOUR Corner – TODAY!
DISCLAIMER: The information on this blog/site is not intended to be legal advice. It is for general informational use only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your situation. Further, this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.