Damages in personal injury claims

If you have suffered an injury, whether in an accident at work, in a car accident or because of negligent medical treatment, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. As leading personal injury solicitors in Coventry and Warwickshire, Field Overell LLP can help ensure you receive the compensation you are due.

Compensation in personal injury claims can be split into two categories, general damages and special damages.

General damages are what people generally think of when discussing compensation in personal injury claims. This is an amount to compensate for the pain and suffering caused by the Claimant’s injuries. These may be physical injuries or psychological conditions, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. General damages will vary from case to case. Factors taken into account include the length and severity of the injury and the impact on the Claimant’s day to day life. The key piece of evidence in determining a claim for general damages is a report by an independent medical expert.

Special damages covers a wide range of losses, both past and future. Common items of past special damages include lost earnings, costs of medication and mileage for travel to appointments. Road traffic accident claims might include a claim for vehicle repairs and the cost of a hire car. For more severe injuries, it may be possible to claim for assistance from family members with day to day tasks, such as washing, dressing, cooking and cleaning.

Where the Claimant has suffered a long-term injury, there may be significant claims for future special damages. If a Claimant’s injuries prevent them from returning to work, or limit their ability to return, a claim can be made for future loss of earnings. Extremely serious injuries may require ongoing long-term care, adapted vehicles or changes to the Claimant’s home to accommodate their injuries.

If you have suffered an injury and would like to find out more about making a claim, contact Field Overell LLP on 024 7622 9582. We deal with personal injury claims throughout the West Midlands from our offices in Coventry and Leamington Spa.

This article is provided for information only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. No reliance should be placed on this article. You should always take legal advice from a qualified lawyer before deciding whether to pursue legal action.