Damages

When a victim suffers personal injuries they can claim damages, which is  financial compensation. This is often known as a personal injury award or accident compensation.

You are entitled to receive a sum of money which reflects damages for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity which arise out of your particular injuries.

The sum which you will be awarded by a Court, or paid by the Insurance Company on a settlement, for pain, suffering and loss of amenity will depend upon the severity of your personal injuries, the level of any pain and suffering, and the extent of any loss of amenity.

The Judicial Studies Board lays down guidelines for the assessment of damage in personal injury cases, cataloging, injuries to different parts of the body, and subdividing those categories into cases of varying severity.

The sums awarded for pain, suffering  and loss of amenity in accident compensation cases are known as general damages.

In general terms the more severe the personal injuries, and the longer the symptoms last, the greater will be the level of compensation.

In addition to general damages you can also claim for any past financial losses which arise out of the accident, or any future losses which attributable to the accident.

Examples of past losses might include lost earnings, lost overtime, lost bonuses, prescriptions charges, private medical expenses, loss of pension contributions, the cost of any social or nursing care that might have been paid for, and even the value of services provided free of charge by ones family and friends can also be reclaimed.