The criminal justice system holds guilty parties accountable for their misdeeds through jail time, fines, and other punishments. While this system is essential to maintaining a law-abiding and orderly society, victims of crimes are often left behind to pick up the pieces in their own lives.
Violent crime is traumatizing to victims in many different ways. Along with the physical damage, victims will also be faced with mounting medical bills to treat their injuries. If there is lasting damage, medical treatments and therapies will be ongoing indefinitely. This can also lead to lost wages if the person is unable to work due to their injuries.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Crime Victims
Many times, a victim of crime also has civil legal claims against the offender or other entities that contributed to causing the harm. An attorney well-versed in this legal area can assist victims of crime in their pursuit of compensation through a civil lawsuit. These civil cases exist outside the realm of the criminal case and can be pursued separately from any criminal case.
Types of Damages Accident Victims Can Pursue
It’s true that each civil case is different, but crime victims can usually pursue the following types of compensation:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses resulting from the crime
- Expenses for therapy or counseling
- Funeral arrangement or burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Value of the loss of life
In addition to the above compensatory damages, a victim may also be able to pursue punitive damages for what occurred. Punitive damages is a type of damage that a jury can award that is meant to punish the perpetrator of the crime and to deter them and others from committing the same types of acts.
How to Proceed With Your Civil Case
It’s important to take swift action if you plan on filing a civil claim for circumstances involving a criminal act. In Albuquerque, Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C. use our considerable experience litigating on behalf of personal injury victims to ensure you’re properly compensated for the wrongdoing that’s occurred. Please contact our firm today at 505-806-1780 to discuss your case with an experienced and compassionate attorney.