Understanding Non-Economic Damages in Houston Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident, you’re likely facing more than just physical pain. The emotional and psychological toll can be just as devastating—and just as important when it comes to your personal injury claim. In Texas, the law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation not only for financial losses like medical bills and lost wages but also for non-economic damages—those invisible yet deeply impactful harms that don’t come with a receipt.
This blog breaks down what non-economic damages are, how they’re calculated in personal injury claims, and what you need to know to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are intangible losses you suffer due to someone else’s negligence. These aren’t easily quantifiable like hospital bills or property repair costs, but they are very real.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress or mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Loss of consortium (harm to a spousal relationship)
These damages reflect the human cost of injury—the sleepless nights, the anxiety about the future, the loss of freedom or independence, and the ways your life has permanently changed.
"Injury isn’t just about the hospital visit—it’s about what happens to your life when you go home. That’s where non-economic damages come in."
Why Non-Economic Damages Matter in Houston Injury Cases
In Houston, personal injury claims are about making you whole—as much as money ever can. While no amount of compensation can undo the trauma of a serious injury, fair non-economic damages recognize that the impact of your accident goes far beyond your wallet.
Whether you were injured in a car crash on I-45, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a petrochemical plant, or lost a loved one due to someone else’s carelessness, the non-economic toll can last a lifetime. Texas law recognizes this, which is why these damages are a critical part of many injury cases.
How Are Non-Economic Damages Calculated?
There’s no set formula for calculating non-economic damages in Texas. Unlike a medical bill with a clear dollar amount, non-economic damages are subjective—but that doesn’t mean they’re arbitrary.
Courts and insurers often consider:
Severity of injury: More severe injuries tend to result in higher non-economic damages.
Duration of pain or disability: Long-term or permanent effects carry more weight.
Impact on daily life: Has the injury affected your ability to work, care for family, or participate in activities you once enjoyed?
Expert testimony: Medical experts, therapists, or life care planners may testify about how your injury affects you psychologically and physically.
Insurance companies sometimes use multipliers (e.g., 1.5 to 5 times your economic damages) to estimate non-economic losses. However, these are just guidelines. A skilled Houston personal injury attorney will advocate for a case-specific approach that reflects the true depth of your suffering.
Common Non-Economic Damages in Different Types of Houston Injury Claims
Every case is unique, but here are some real-world examples of non-economic harm in local personal injury cases:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Victims may experience ongoing pain, trauma, or even PTSD from a car or truck crash. Disfigurement or permanent mobility issues can change every aspect of daily living.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
TBIs often lead to cognitive and emotional changes, such as memory loss, depression, or personality shifts. These are classic non-economic impacts with lifelong consequences.
Burn Injuries
Severe burns are not only painful—they can result in permanent scarring, sensitivity to heat or sunlight, and serious self-esteem issues.
Wrongful Death Cases
Surviving family members may seek non-economic damages for loss of companionship, mental anguish, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one too soon.
Texas Law and Damage Caps
Texas places caps on non-economic damages in some cases—particularly in medical malpractice claims. However, most personal injury cases—like car accidents, industrial injuries, and premises liability claims—are not subject to these caps.
That said, your non-economic damage award must be reasonable and supported by evidence. Working with a qualified attorney helps ensure your claim is fully developed and strategically presented.
"If your life has been turned upside down, your pain matters. Let us fight for everything you’re owed—not just what’s on paper."
Proving Non-Economic Damages: What Evidence Matters?
It’s one thing to know what non-economic damages are—it’s another to prove them. Here are key ways we help injured clients document these deeply personal losses:
Personal journals or pain diaries describing daily struggles
Testimony from family and friends about how your life has changed
Psychological evaluations or therapy records
Expert reports from medical professionals
Photographs documenting scarring or physical limitations
Before-and-after comparisons of lifestyle or capabilities
The stronger your documentation, the stronger your claim for full and fair compensation.
Why You Need an Attorney Who Understands Non-Economic Damages
Too often, insurance companies undervalue the human side of injury claims. They’ll question whether your pain is “real enough” or try to minimize its impact. Without skilled legal representation, you risk walking away with a settlement that barely scratches the surface of your suffering.
When you work with a Houston personal injury lawyer like Amy Dunn, you gain an advocate who takes your whole story seriously—from medical costs to lost dreams.
“My clients are real people, not case files. I make sure their voices are heard, and their losses respected.”
What You Can Do Today
If you or a loved one is navigating life after a serious injury, don’t wait. The sooner you begin your claim, the better chance you have at recovering all the damages you’re entitled to—economic and non-economic.
Take action today:
Document how the injury affects your life, emotions, and relationships.
Keep all medical records, prescriptions, and therapy notes.
Speak with a personal injury attorney who understands the complexities of non-economic losses.
You're Not Alone—Let Amy Dunn Help
Injury can change everything. But with the right legal guidance, you can take back control and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. At the Law Office of Amy Dunn, we help clients across Houston and throughout Texas fight for their future—physically, emotionally, and financially.
You deserve to be seen. You deserve to be heard. And you deserve a lawyer who truly gets what you’re going through.
Let’s talk about your story. Let’s build your case.