Compensation

Compensation will be awarded in three distinct areas.  There will be compensation for the injury itself.  Then there will also be an element designed to give support to you and your family, in the form of rehabilitation and treatment costs.  The final part of the award covers expenses, including loss of earnings, care, medical expenses and equipment.

The award itself is split into two parts: General Damages and Special Damages.  General Damages includes compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, possible future loss of earnings and possible future costs of treatment and care. Special Damages are for losses incurred before the date of the trial or settlement, and include loss of earnings, expenses and treatment costs.  The amount of compensation received depends upon how serious your injuries are and what other losses you have incurred, including:

• Loss of earnings, including overtime and bonuses

• Travel to and from medical appointments

• Any medication

• Cost of any special equipment or adaptations to your home

• Care given by members of your family or others

• Damage caused to any of your personal effects

There are many other items for which you are entitled to claim compensation, including damages to compensate for having to give up a job you enjoy because of your injuries, and we will deal with these for you.

We understand that you are likely to need your compensation as quickly as possible and so we do our very best to make sure that this is the case, however it does depend on the circumstances of each individual case. You should receive a large proportion of your compensation within 6 weeks and the rest should usually follow only a few weeks later, although this may vary.