The amount of compensation you will receive if the claim succeeds is made up of two parts.
"General Damages" - this is the term given to the pain and suffering element.
The value of this part of your claim depends on the type of injury you have suffered, how long you were suffering from your injury, and whether your injury is going to have a long term effect on your life. A figure is set for this part based on previous amounts set by judges in similar cases to yours, for example -
Head
- Minor injuries involving no brain damage up to £6,000
- Minor brain damage with good recovery up to £21,000
Neck
- Recovery within 2 years, between £1,000 to £3,500
- Severe neck injuries up to £13,000
Shoulder and Arm
- Serious fractures of one or both arms, between £9,000 to £29,000
- Uncomplicated fractures with complete recovery within a short period; £3,000
- Uncomplicated where there is modest or residual disability, up to £9,000
- Dislocation of the shoulder, between £6,000 to £9,000
- Minor to moderate injuries, between £2,000 to £6,000
Elbow
- Severe disbiling injuries, between £18,350 to £25,000
- Injuries leading to impairment of function, between £7,500 to £15,000
- Moderate or minor injuries up to £6,000
Wrist
- Injuries resulting in significant or permanent disability; between £12,000 to £19,500
- Less severe or permanent disability; between £6,000 to £12,500
- Where recovery is complete up to £5,000
- Uncomplicated fracture up to £3,500
Hand
- Loss of fingers; between £2,000 to £9,000
- Severe fractures with partial amputations up to £18,500
- Fractures with impairment of grip up to £18,500
- Serious injury to ring or middle fingers; between £7,000 to £7,750
- Loss of thumb; between £18,000 to £27,500
- Severe dislocation of thumb; between £2000 to £5,500
Back
- Strains, sprains, soft tissue injuries up to £6,500
- Severe back injuries up to £14,000
Hip
- Minor injuries up to £6,750
- Severe injuries up to £13,000
Leg
- Simple fractures up to £4,250
- Severe injuries up to £7,000
Knee
- Lacerations, twisting or bruising injuries where recovery is complete up to £3,250
- Ongoing minor symptoms of aching / discomfort / occassional pain up to £6,500
Ankle
- Severe injuries and significant permanent disability; between £15,000 to £25,000
- Fractures and ligament injuries resulting in moderatr disability; between £6,500 to £13,500
"Special Damages" - this is the term given to your out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
This may include loss of earnings, loss of vehicle excess, hire of a replacement car, cost of public transport, prescriptions, etc.
This amount is added to the value of your general damages to make up the overall damages award.
Is there a time limit to make a claim?
Most claims are settled out of court but for those where court action does prove necessary there is a time limit of three years from the date of the accident. Failure to comply means that the court has the power to refuse to allow your claim.
There are some exceptions to the three year rule, though this can be determined at time of assessment.
Please complete the Free Legal Assessment Form or call us on 01274 809696, and we will provide a Legal Assessment of your claim.
We will handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis at no cost to you.
How long does the claim process take?
The time between making a claim to settlement varies depending upon the complexity of the case.
Most claims are settled within 6-18 months.
It is a balance of not rushing into a settlement too quickly for fear of losing out on compensation for future symptoms, against not allowing the defendants to delay your payment unreasonably.