The civil case converts what happened into a court-enforceable judgment. Understanding the categories matters: economic damages repay the money it cost you; non-economic damages acknowledge what it took from you; punitive damages punish conduct that was malicious or oppressive.
Economic damages are the receipts: emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, counseling, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, relocation, security costs. Non-economic damages are the pain, fear, and loss of safety — real harms the law compensates even though they do not come with invoices. Punitive damages (Civil Code 3294) apply when the conduct was malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent, and are awarded to punish and deter.
Every dollar must be proven. The file is built from medical records, employment records, therapy notes, and the incident log — plus expert testimony where future costs are involved. An undocumented loss is an uncollectable loss; the case is built so nothing real gets left out.
In immediate danger, call 911. For protection planning and next steps, call (619) 730-7884 — free and confidential, through whatever channel is safe for you.
