Damages in Minneapolis Personal Injury Cases Explained Clearly

Injuries don’t just create hospital bills. They can also cause you to lose wages, receive treatment for months, and no longer be able to perform certain tasks.

If someone else is at fault, you may be entitled to damages under the law in Minnesota. What are considered damages?

Below is a discussion of types of damages, how they are calculated, and factors that may impact your personal injury claim.

What this guide covers:

• Economic vs noneconomic damages
• Additional damages that may be available
• How negligence plays into a personal injury claim
• What you can do to prove damages

Economic Damages: The Costs You Can Count

Damages that can be quantified to a dollar amount are known as economic damages. You can pull up invoices and receipts for many of these expenses, while others may be more difficult to determine.

Some examples of economic damages include:

• Medical bills (emergency, surgery, prescription, therapy, etc.)
• Lost wages while you are unable to work due to your injury
• Lost future wages (if your injury prevents you from performing your job)
• Other expenses (may include hiring someone to do chores around your house, depending on the circumstances of your claim)

Many people think that because they know their medical bills, that’s what their personal injury claim is going to be worth.

What about therapy you may need to continue? If your injury prevents you from working as many hours, you could be owed lost wages in the future as well, if you can prove that.

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis will be able to determine what you may recover for past and future losses supported by evidence. At Meshbesher & Spence, attorneys help with medical records, proving liability, and negotiating with insurance companies.

Noneconomic Damages: Losses Without Receipts

You may not be able to put a price on your injuries. For example, you broke your wrist and were able to get back to work, but you may experience pain when picking up your kids, cooking, or other day-to-day activities.

Noneconomic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment
• Impairment of quality of life

These damages aren’t used to add more onto your medical bills, but to help you recover for what your injuries have done to your life.

How do they determine non-economic damages?

Every injury is different, so there is no exact amount that will be applied to your injuries. Your injuries, how long they will last, and proof that can be used to help determine your quality of life will be considered when calculating damages.

Someone who recovers quickly and someone who is disabled for the rest of their life will most likely not have the same amount of damages, despite having similar medical bills initially.

What About Punitive Damages?

There are also punitive damages, but they are typically awarded in more severe cases of wrongdoing. In order for the court to award punitive damages, there must be clear and convincing evidence of deliberate disregard for another person’s rights or safety. This is usually not something you will see in a personal injury case.

Why the Same Injury Can Lead to Different Results

Even if you have similar injuries, you could have different amounts of damages awarded to you. Let’s say two people injure their back in separate car accidents. One may be back at work in a couple weeks, while the other may have to continue with medical treatment and can no longer work their job.

When calculating your damages, you want to make sure you are accounting for:

• Continued medical treatment
• Lost wages, and how long you will be out of work
• Changes to your daily life, whether at work or home
• What can be proven by evidence

Local figures help show why serious traffic injuries deserve careful attention. The City of Minneapolis reported that about 160 people each year died or were seriously injured in traffic crashes in Minneapolis from 2017 to 2025. These figures describe the scale of serious traffic harm, not the value of any individual claim.

Fault and Insurance Can Change the Amount

Of course, you will also need to show liability in order to recover damages in your case.

Minnesota’s Comparative Fault Rule

Minnesota is a comparative negligence state, which means that if you are partially at fault, your damages can be decreased by your percentage of negligence.

Let’s say your damages were determined to be $100,000, but you were 20% at fault for the accident that injured you. You would receive $80,000, minus any applicable deductions.

One more thing to note is that in Minnesota, if your negligence is higher than the party you are trying to recover from, you may not be able to recover damages. If multiple parties are at fault, this can get more complicated, which is why it’s important to show evidence of how the incident occurred.

Car Crashes Have Extra Insurance Rules

Minnesota also has no-fault laws for car accidents, which can benefit your medical bills and wages, depending on your situation. If you file a negligence lawsuit, no-fault benefits already paid or payable can affect what you may recover in that separate claim. Minnesota also limits when noneconomic damages can be recovered after vehicle crashes, using qualifying medical expense amounts or specified injuries or disabilities.

If your injury did not occur from a car accident, you will want to make sure you are aware of your state’s laws and what may apply to your case.

Building a Claim That Reflects the Full Loss

Having good documentation of your injuries will allow you to better prove your economic and noneconomic damages. Make sure you are gathering your medical records, bills, and information regarding lost wages. You can also gather documentation from your doctor regarding what type of treatment you will need in the future, and documentation from your employer if your injuries affect your ability to work.

Lastly, gather any pictures, witnesses, or evidence that can show who was at fault in your incident.

Watch the Filing Deadline

Remember that you have six years to file a personal injury lawsuit, however, this may vary depending on your situation. Medical malpractice and wrongful death cases have a shorter statute of limitations, as well as claims against cities and government buildings. Make sure you know your deadline if you’ve been injured and are considering filing a personal injury claim.

Putting It Together

By knowing the types of damages you can receive, you will be more prepared to file your personal injury claim.