Personal Injury Compensation
The compensation you receive for a personal injury claim aims to put you back in the position you would have been in had the accident not happened. Of course, a personal injury claim cannot reverse the injuries you sustained, but it can compensate you for the pain and suffering you have experienced. This part of your claim is called General Damages.
In addition, you can claim for a wide range of other financial losses that occurred as a result of the accident. These are known as Special Damages. Together, these two types of compensation make up the total amount you are entitled to after an accident that was not your fault.
General Damages
General damages are awarded for non-financial losses caused by your injuries. This includes compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. It covers both physical and psychological injuries and how those injuries have affected your daily life—for example, being unable to take part in your hobbies or enjoy life as you did before.
The amount awarded for general damages is guided by the Judicial College Guidelines, which provide a range of compensation brackets for various types of injuries. These ranges take into account the severity of the injury, the treatment required, and the expected recovery time. Legal professionals and insurers also refer to previous court cases (case law) involving similar injuries to fine-tune the appropriate compensation.
Special Damages
Special damages cover the financial impact of the accident. These can be divided into:
Past losses: Losses you’ve already incurred up until the date your claim is settled.
Future losses: Ongoing or expected losses after your claim is settled.
Examples of common special damages include:
Loss of Earnings – If you were unable to work, missed overtime, or lost bonuses due to the accident, you can claim for this lost income.
Care and Assistance – Even if your family or friends helped you voluntarily, you can claim for this care. This is known as gratuitous care and is recognized as part of your damages.
Travel Expenses – Includes mileage or public transport costs for medical appointments such as hospital visits, GP consultations, or physiotherapy sessions.
Medical Treatment – You can claim for any private treatment you’ve received, such as physiotherapy or counselling.
Aids and Equipment – Reimbursement for necessary items such as crutches, raised toilet seats, handrails, or any medical equipment you had to purchase.
Some less common examples of special damages include the loss of pension contributions, loss of a pre-booked holiday, or the cost of buying an automatic vehicle due to injuries affecting your mobility.
How We Can Help
At Sills & Betteridge LLP, we are committed to ensuring every client receives the compensation they deserve. We take the time to understand the full impact of your injury so that nothing is overlooked.
If you would like advice about a potential personal injury claim, please contact our Personal Injury Team or call 0800 542 4245. If we believe your claim has a good chance of success, we will represent you under a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement.
