The calculation of financial losses and pain and suffering is often not an easy task. For the sake of convenience an accident compensation solicitor will separate damages claims into different categories and once these sums have been calculated the amounts due may be increased by an interest calculation which differs dependent on the category into which the damages fall. The main categories are as follows :-



General Damages.

Represents compensation for items that cannot be calculated accurately by an accident compensation solicitor and often involves a degree of assessment. The category includes pain and suffering for injury, loss of amenity and loss of congenial employment. There are other items which may fall into this category where an accurate calculation of value is difficult if not impossible. Assessment of these losses is usually assisted by the use of expert opinions including specialist medical reports.

Special Damages.

Represents compensation for losses that can be calculated accurately. This category includes loss of salary and the value of damaged or lost personal property. There are numerous other items in this category and all losses should be discussed with a solicitor. These items are proved by documentary evidence including wage slips, invoices and estimates.

Provisional Damages

In certain circumstances a court will award accident compensation that is provisional and will allow a claimant to have the right to return to court for re-assessment if the illness or condition deteriorates in the future. The court will only re-consider the award on one occasion only and great care should be taken with the timing of such an application.

The amount awarded in a claim for pain and suffering is based on a number of factors including the extent of the injury, the recovery time and whether or not there are any long term consequences. An accident compensation solicitor will doubtless put his views on valuation to the judge however the actual assessment of this figure by a judge is no easy task. Judges are guided by previously decided cases and by guidelines put forward by the 'Judicial Studies Board' which constantly reconsiders the awards made in the courts and attempts to give guidance on the amounts that should be awarded. The Judicial Studies Board publishes 'Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases' which is available at most public libraries. The most important previously decided cases can be found in the numerous court reports and are outlined in 'Kemp and Kemp' which is a practitioners book used to assist in the calculation of personal injury compensation that can be found in most public libraries.

Our solicitors are all members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts and are specialists in the field of damages claims. Claims are dealt with on a no win no fee basis and compensation is paid in full with no deductions whatsoever. There is no necessity to finance your claim in any respect and you will not be asked to take out any loan or pay for any insurance. Our claims are guaranteed to be completely risk free.