At Carabin Shaw, we’ve proudly represented injured Texans for over 33 years, offering trusted legal support when they need it most.

Types of Compensation Available in a Personal Injury Claim

Carabin Shaw Explains Your Rights in Midland & Odessa

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Midland or Odessa, you may be dealing with physical pain, financial hardship, and emotional trauma. Whether your injury was caused by a car accident, 18-wheeler crash, oilfield explosion, or slip and fall, Texas law allows victims to seek compensation from the at-fault party. But what exactly can you recover in a personal injury claim?

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At Carabin Shaw, our experienced attorneys have helped injury victims across West Texas for over 33 years, securing justice and maximum compensation. In this blog, we’ll break down the damages available in a personal injury case and how our team can help you fight for the full recovery you deserve.

Find more information about Personal Injury Claims here

Understanding Personal Injury Damages

In legal terms, “damages” are the monetary compensation awarded to an injured party to make them whole again. There are two primary types of damages in Texas personal injury law:

Compensatory Damages
Punitive Damages

Let’s explore both in detail and explain how Carabin Shaw’s attorneys in Midland-Odessa work to recover every type of damage to which you may be entitled.

1. Medical Expenses

This is typically the most immediate and significant cost following an injury. Victims are entitled to compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the accident, including:

Emergency room visits
Hospital stays
Surgeries
Physical therapy
Diagnostic tests
Prescription medications
Medical equipment (crutches, braces, wheelchairs)

If your injuries are ongoing or permanent, Carabin Shaw will also work to recover future medical costs that may span months or even years.

2. Lost Wages

If you’ve missed time from work while recovering from an injury, you can claim lost wages. This includes:

Salary or hourly pay
Bonuses
Commissions
Vacation or sick leave used during recovery

More seriously injured victims may lose the ability to return to their job altogether. In those cases, Carabin Shaw’s legal team will calculate the loss of earning capacity to ensure you are compensated for your long-term financial losses.

3. Pain and Suffering

Not all injuries are visible. Pain and suffering damages cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury. These damages are subjective and often require experienced legal representation to quantify properly.

Carabin Shaw works with medical experts and mental health professionals to illustrate:

Chronic pain
Emotional trauma (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Inability to participate in hobbies or daily activities

We believe your pain has value—and we’ll fight to make sure the court or insurance company does too.

4. Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress

Separate from pain and suffering, mental anguish damages account for the emotional toll the injury has taken on your life. For example:

Fear of driving after a car accident
Trauma after an oilfield explosion
Sleep disturbances, panic attacks, or grief

Carabin Shaw attorneys understand how to present the emotional impact of your injuries in a compelling and legally sound way.

5. Disfigurement or Physical Impairment

Some injuries leave visible scars or permanent disabilities. Texas allows injury victims to recover damages for:

Scarring and burns
Amputation or limb loss
Loss of mobility
Paralysis or neurological impairments

At Carabin Shaw, we ensure these long-term effects are factored into your claim. Whether the result of a catastrophic truck accident or a defective product injury, we’ll seek fair compensation for the permanent impact on your appearance and function.

6. Loss of Consortium

This type of damage applies to the spouse or family of the injured party. When an injury affects a marriage or relationship—emotionally, physically, or otherwise—Texas law permits the injured person’s spouse or family to seek compensation for:

Loss of companionship
Emotional support
Sexual intimacy
Household contributions

Carabin Shaw approaches these sensitive matters with compassion, ensuring your family’s losses are recognized in your injury claim.

7. Property Damage

In many personal injury cases—particularly car, truck, or motorcycle accidents—property is also damaged. Victims can recover compensation for:

Repair or replacement of vehicles
Damaged personal belongings (phones, tools, etc.)

Carabin Shaw’s attorneys in Midland and Odessa will ensure all property losses are fully documented and included in your claim.

8. Punitive Damages (Exemplary Damages)

While most damages are meant to compensate, punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for especially reckless or intentional behavior. These are awarded in rare cases involving:

Drunk driving
Reckless driving
Gross negligence (e.g., ignoring safety violations in oilfield operations)
Intentional harm

Carabin Shaw has a proven track record of pursuing punitive damages when appropriate—especially in cases involving egregious misconduct by corporations, employers, or commercial drivers.

9. Wrongful Death Damages

When a loved one dies due to another’s negligence, certain surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Damages in these cases include:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship and guidance
Mental anguish

Carabin Shaw has been a trusted advocate for grieving families across Texas. If you’ve lost someone in a fatal accident in Midland or Odessa, we’re here to help you pursue justice and closure.

How Are Damages Calculated?

At Carabin Shaw, we take a detailed approach to case valuation. Our team uses:

Medical records and expert testimony
Wage statements and economic projections
Testimony from family, coworkers, and therapists
Accident reconstruction and insurance data

Our goal is always to pursue maximum compensation—not just what covers your current bills but what secures your future.

Why Choose Carabin Shaw in Midland-Odessa?

With over 33 years of experience, Carabin Shaw has become one of the most trusted personal injury law firms in Texas. Clients in Midland and Odessa choose us because:

✅ We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win.
✅ We are available 24/7, so help is always just a call away.
✅ We fight for every type of compensation you’re entitled to—medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
✅ We know the local landscape—from oilfield employers to trucking companies and their insurers.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

After an accident, it’s easy to underestimate the full value of your claim—especially when insurance companies are pushing fast, low offers. At Carabin Shaw, we make sure you understand every type of compensation available and fight to recover all that you’re owed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in Midland or Odessa, don’t wait. Call us now and let our dedicated legal team get to work for you.

📞 Call Carabin Shaw at 1-800-862-1260
Your recovery is our priority. We’re here to fight for justice—one case at a time.