What Are Special Damages in a Personal Injury Case?

Mar 30, 2026 |

Special damages represent the actual, measurable financial losses you suffer as a direct result of someone else’s negligence in a personal injury case. Unlike subjective losses, these damages come with receipts, statements, and documentation that put a concrete dollar amount on what the injury has cost you.

Special damages can include costs such as emergency medical treatment, follow-up doctor visits, prescription medications, physical therapy sessions, transportation to medical appointments, or the repair or replacement of damaged property.

How Texas Law Defines Special Damages

Texas damages law allows injured parties to recover economic losses that can be calculated with reasonable certainty. Courts typically require documentation such as medical bills, employment records, invoices, and other financial records to verify that the losses were directly caused by the injury.

Special Damages vs. General Damages

The distinction between these two categories matters because they require different types of proof. Special damages cover your economic losses. General damages, on the other hand, compensate you for losses that don’t come with a price tag. These include non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and diminished quality of life. Families may seek compensation for both special and general losses after losing a loved one in a personal injury accident.

Examples of Special Damages You Can Recover After a Personal Injury

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33, the amount of damages a person may recover can depend on the degree of fault assigned to each party. Every personal injury case is different, though the most common recoverable special damages include:

Past and future medical expenses
Hospital and surgical bills
Prescription medication costs
Physical therapy and rehabilitation fees
Lost wages from missed work
Loss of future earning capacity
Household service costs during recovery
Property damage repair or replacement
Out-of-pocket transportation costs to medical appointments
Home modification expenses for disability accommodations
Assistive medical devices and equipment

Keeping organized records of every expense related to your injury from the very beginning strengthens your ability to recover the full amount. Even small costs, such as parking fees at medical facilities and mileage to appointments, add up and qualify as recoverable losses under Texas law.

Personal Injury Cases That Compensate for Special Damages

Tort law is the area of civil law that allows people injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct to seek financial compensation, including special damages. The specific losses you recover depend on the nature of your accident and the severity of your injuries. Common accidents that result in special damages include:

Many of these cases involve ongoing treatment, extended time away from work, and expenses that continue to grow long after the accident itself.

Discuss Your Case With a San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer at Gamez Law Firm Now

If you’ve been injured and you’re facing mounting bills, lost income, or expenses you didn’t anticipate, Gamez Law Firm is here to pursue every dollar you’re owed following injuries due to the negligence of another. Contact us for a free consultation with our San Antonio personal injury attorneys.

We serve all areas in San Antonio and throughout Texas.

Gamez Law Firm

2943 Mossrock
San Antonio, TX 78230

(210) 736-4040