What Damages Recovery Services Does Brodsky Law Offer?
California personal injury law recognizes three categories of compensatory and punitive damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses — medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and the cost of future care and rehabilitation. Non-economic damages compensate for subjective, non-monetary harm — pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and disfigurement. Punitive damages, governed by Civil Code §3294, are available when the defendant's conduct rises to the level of malice, oppression, or fraud, and serve to punish particularly egregious behavior and deter similar conduct. Sasha Brodsky has helped personal injury clients throughout Santa Cruz County and California understand and pursue the full scope of damages available to them since 1998.
Calculating economic damages requires thorough documentation and, in many cases, expert testimony. Medical expenses must account not only for treatment already received but for the projected cost of future surgeries, therapy, medication, and assistive devices. Lost wage claims extend beyond missed paychecks to include diminished earning capacity — the difference between what a plaintiff could have earned absent the injury and what they can now realistically earn. Property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and the cost of home modifications or in-home care are also recoverable. Sasha works with medical professionals, vocational experts, and economists to build comprehensive damages models that reflect the true financial impact of an injury.
Non-economic damages present unique challenges because they are inherently subjective. California does not impose a cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases — a critical distinction from states that limit pain and suffering awards. The notable exception is the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), as amended by SB 1175, which caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice actions. Outside of medical malpractice, juries have broad discretion to award non-economic damages that reflect the severity and permanence of a plaintiff's injuries, the impact on their daily life, and the degree of emotional suffering endured.
Time is a critical factor in pursuing damages. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, personal injury actions are subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. Failing to file within this window can permanently bar recovery, regardless of the merits of the claim. Sasha's scope of counsel includes but is not limited to:
Whether you need to calculate the full economic impact of a catastrophic injury, document non-economic losses for settlement negotiations or trial, or evaluate whether punitive damages may be warranted, Sasha provides experienced counsel through every stage of the damages recovery process — from initial assessment and expert retention through demand presentation and, when necessary, courtroom advocacy. He works to ensure that injured clients pursue the maximum compensation the law allows.
For more information about personal injury representation, visit our Personal Injury page. Contact Sasha Brodsky to discuss your damages recovery matter.