Economic vs non-economic damages explained

Economic damages are your tangible, calculable financial losses: medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and property damage. These can be proven with documentation like bills, receipts, and pay stubs. Non-economic damages are intangible losses that don't have specific dollar amounts: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of consortium. While harder to calculate, non-economic damages are often the largest portion of a personal injury recovery, especially in cases involving serious or permanent injuries. For catastrophic injuries, both categories can be substantial. Economic damages alone can reach millions when you factor in lifetime medical care, home modifications, assistive equipment, and lost earning capacity over decades. Non-economic damages reflect the profound impact of living with permanent disability. Both types of damages are recoverable in Colorado personal injury cases.