The amount of personal injury compensation awarded varies depending on the seriousness of the injury and the financial losses involved. compensation is awarded for pain, suffering and your inability to do things after your accident that you could do before. The award is made based upon medical evidence, normally specialist reports, of the injuries suffered. The amount of compensation takes account of how your injuries or disease affect you now and how they might affect you in the future. This compensation is known as General Damages.
In assessing General Damages in the Republic of Ireland InjuriesBoard.ie (previously known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)) and the Courts are guided by valuations set out in the Book of Quantum (published June 2004). In assessing General Damages in Northern Ireland the Courts are guided by valuations set out in the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases (published 2008) These are however guidelines only. Every case differs dependant on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of the injury. We can advise you further on this when you contact us.
Accident compensation is also paid to cover financial losses suffered as a result of the accident. The aim of this type of compensation is to put you back in a position, financially, as if the accident had never occurred. You should keep receipts and invoices for any expenses associated with your accident, e.g. for prescriptions and the cost of travelling to hospital.
Accident compensation will cover any loss of earnings since the accident and any future loss of earnings. In more serious cases personal injury compensation will extend to alterations to property or vehicles and on-going care costs, including those provided by the family. This compensation is known as Special Damages.