Compensation is calculated by totaling your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are concrete financial losses: medical expenses, lost income, and repair costs. Non-economic damages are more subjective and cover pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. There is no fixed formula for these. The final amount is influenced by the severity and permanence of your injury, the clarity of fault, and the insurance policy limits of the at-fault party.

The most common claim is for a slip-and-fall accident. Businesses have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. This means promptly cleaning spills, marking wet floors, fixing broken flooring, and removing tripping hazards like loose cords or clutter. If a customer is injured because the business failed to address a known danger, the business can be held liable for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Regular safety inspections and immediate hazard correction are the best defenses.

The legal status of the injured person is the foundational factor. Invitees (like customers or social guests) are owed the highest duty of care—you must actively inspect for and fix hazards. Licensees (like meter readers) are only owed a warning of known dangers. Trespassers are generally owed very little duty, except to avoid intentionally harming them. This classification directly shapes what you were legally required to do for the person who fell.