Non-economic damages represent a crucial component of Pennsylvania car accident compensation that addresses the intangible losses victims experience beyond measurable financial costs. While economic damages cover quantifiable expenses like medical bills and lost wages, non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other subjective harms that significantly impact accident victims’ quality of life. Pennsylvania law does not cap non-economic damages, allowing courts and juries to award appropriate compensation based on the severity and lasting impact of injuries.
The attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. understand how to effectively present non-economic damage claims to maximize compensation for accident victims. We work diligently to document the full extent of our clients’ suffering and demonstrate how injuries have affected their daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being to secure fair compensation for both tangible and intangible losses.
What Are Non-Economic Damages vs Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses that cannot be easily quantified with receipts or financial records, distinguishing them from economic damages which have clear monetary values. Economic damages include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs directly attributable to the accident. These damages are typically straightforward to calculate using bills, pay stubs, and other documentation showing specific financial losses.
Non-economic damages address the human impact of injuries that extends beyond financial costs, including physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of companionship, and diminished quality of life. These damages recognize that serious injuries affect victims’ ability to enjoy activities they once loved, maintain relationships, and live fulfilling lives. Courts understand that some losses cannot be measured in dollars but deserve compensation nonetheless.
Pennsylvania’s Approach to Non-Economic Damages
Pennsylvania takes a victim-friendly approach to non-economic damages by refusing to impose statutory caps that limit compensation for pain and suffering. Unlike many states that restrict non-economic damage awards, Pennsylvania allows juries to determine appropriate compensation based on the specific circumstances of each case and the individual impact of injuries on victims’ lives. This approach ensures that victims with severe, life-altering injuries can receive compensation that truly reflects their suffering.
The state’s unlimited approach to non-economic damages means that victims of catastrophic injuries may receive substantial awards that reflect the long-term impact of their conditions. Personal injury cases involving permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or chronic pain often result in significant non-economic damage awards that help victims cope with lifelong challenges. However, this also means that effective legal representation becomes crucial for presenting compelling evidence of non-economic losses to juries.
Proving and Calculating Non-Economic Damages
Successfully recovering non-economic damages requires comprehensive documentation of how injuries have affected victims’ daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being. Medical records, expert testimony, and personal accounts help establish the extent of pain and suffering, while testimony from family members and friends demonstrates how injuries have impacted relationships and social activities. Mental health treatment records may support claims for emotional distress and psychological trauma resulting from accidents.
Courts and juries consider multiple factors when calculating non-economic damages, and experienced attorneys present evidence in ways that help decision-makers understand the full scope of victims’ suffering. Several key elements influence non-economic damage awards:
- Severity and permanence of physical injuries and resulting limitations on daily activities •
- Impact on family relationships, including loss of companionship and consortium claims •
- Effect on victims’ ability to participate in hobbies, sports, and recreational activities they previously enjoyed
- Duration of recovery period and ongoing pain management requirements
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress related to the accident
The presentation of non-economic damages often determines the success of personal injury cases, as juries must understand how injuries have fundamentally changed victims’ lives.
Full Tort vs Limited Tort Impact on Non-Economic Damages
Pennsylvania’s insurance system significantly affects victims’ ability to recover non-economic damages through the choice between full tort and limited tort coverage. Full tort coverage allows accident victims to pursue unlimited compensation for pain and suffering regardless of injury severity, while limited tort coverage restricts non-economic damage recovery except in cases involving serious injuries. This choice, made when purchasing auto insurance, has profound implications for accident victims’ legal rights.
Limited tort coverage may prevent victims from recovering non-economic damages unless their injuries meet specific thresholds including death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. However, even limited tort policyholders may pursue full non-economic damages if the at-fault driver was under the influence, driving without insurance, or driving a vehicle registered outside Pennsylvania. Car accident attorneys help clients understand how their insurance choices affect their ability to pursue compensation and work to establish exceptions to limited tort restrictions when possible.
Contact Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. for Non-Economic Damage Claims
Non-economic damages often represent the largest component of car accident settlements and verdicts, but successfully recovering these damages requires skilled legal representation and comprehensive case preparation. Insurance companies frequently dispute non-economic damage claims and attempt to minimize compensation for pain and suffering, making experienced advocacy essential for protecting victims’ rights. We help accident victims document their losses, present compelling evidence of suffering, and negotiate for fair compensation that addresses both economic and non-economic impacts.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. has been recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2010, reflecting our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for accident victims. With over 65 years of combined experience, our legal team provides compassionate representation while fighting aggressively to secure maximum compensation for both tangible and intangible losses resulting from car accidents. Contact us today at (215) 822-7575 or through our contact form to discuss your non-economic damage claims.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
October 23, 2025
