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The Difference Between Economic And Non Economic Damages

By California Personal Injury Attorneys · May 21, 2026

California personal injury law divides recoverable damages into economic and non-economic categories, each with distinct rules for calculation and proof in Los Angeles courts.

Economic damages compensate quantifiable financial losses like medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages address intangible harms such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Both categories are recoverable in California personal injury cases, subject to proof and, in some cases, statutory caps. When you suffer injuries in an accident along the Pasadena corridor—whether a collision at the CA-134/I-210 interchange or a pedestrian incident on Colorado Boulevard—understanding the types of compensation available is essential to protecting your recovery. In any personal injury…