How Much Compensation Can You Earn For Whiplash Injury?

If you suffer a whiplash injury, through no fault of your own, you can make a claim for compensation. It is likely that you would have incurred a wide variety of losses as a result of your injury, and this system is purposefully designed to help you claim back what is yours. You will be entitled to claim for general or special damages, depending on the nature of your claim. General damages are more suited to those that have suffered psychological as well as physical injuries. On many occasions, your everyday life will have been affected. A claim for general damages should compensate you for these losses. A special damages claim will compensate you for any specific losses incurred, such as medical treatment costs, and travel expenses.

Making a general damages claim

The amount of pain and suffering you have had to endure will be taken into account A whiplash injury can have a devastating impact on your life that can last for days, weeks, or even months. In assessing your claim, the amount of damages you receive will be calculated on the basis of how severe your injuries are.

The extent of the impact the injury has had on your life will also be taken into consideration. Therefore, a reduction in your enjoyment of life and any emotional pain you have suffered will be taken into account. In the case of a whiplash injury, your solicitor will obtain details from yourself and family demonstrating the impact the injury has had on your day to day life. Whiplash injuries can often cause psychological problems for the claimant. These can be anything from depression, anxiety, and frustration. There is a range of how much you may be entitled to claim depending on the extent of your injury.

Medical reports will be examined to determine how long the pain sustained from the injury is likely to last, and suggestions for treatment. Once this information has been obtained, your solicitor will be able to better examine the amount of damages you can claim.

The amount of compensation you can receive for a whiplash injury is split into the following brackets:

750 to 2500 for insignificant cases where a full recovery can be made within 1 year

2400 to 4250 for cases where you can make a full recovery within 2 years

4250 to 7750 for a slower recovery of more than minor whiplash symptoms with pain for a number of years

7750 to 13750 for permanent symptoms

The above will be used as a guide in assessing the amount of compensation you are likely to receive.

Special damages explained in more detail

Special damages are applicable to losses that are more specific in their nature. Generally they are easier to calculate as you can apply them to particular losses you have incurred as a result of your injury. Special damages can apply to loss of current or potential future earnings. Some injuries are very serious where you will need a longer time to recover. In these circumstances you may need to hire someone to help you recover. These expenses can also be covered in a special damages claim. Other costs that are covered in special damages can be travel expenses, or payments for any medical treatment if you are recovering from an accident.

To make a claim for special damages, it will be very helpful to keep track of the different types of losses you have incurred, and where possible to keep the receipts. If you wish to make a claim, our solicitors will be able to advise you in your claim.