There are various types of loss for which an accident victim can claim compensation, including:-
- “Solatium”
- Compensation for injuries/pain and suffering/interference with recreation, family life and work
- Supported by obtaining expert medical reports
- Orthopaedic/trauma surgeons used for typical physical injuries
- Specialism of chosen expert, however, varies widely according to specific physical injuries suffered (can be psychological injuries too)
- Choice of expert(s) crucial: defending insurers often instruct competing medical experts
- Commonly need combination of expert reports where multiple injuries suffered
- Past Loss of Earnings
- Loss of income to conclusion of claim
- Medical expert should state what sickness absence reasonable
- Employed claimant: usually assess average pay pre-accident and compare with pay received during sickness absence
- Self-employed claimant: accountant instructed to assess loss of profit claim
- Compensation is tax-free: claim is for net loss after tax
- Employer sick pay, SSP, Government benefits are usually included as pay, reducing net loss
- Future Loss of Earnings
- Expected earnings loss after conclusion of claim
- Sometimes calculated as (annual loss x number of working years) or as a lump sum for “disadvantage in labour market” if lesser effect on career
- Services/Care
- Compensation for (a) help given by family to claimant while injured and/or (b) reduction in normal help given by claimant to family while injured
- Claim possible for future as well as past “services”
- Sometimes claim for medium or long-term nursing or other care
- Other Common Claims
- Loss of pension eg in cases of serious injury causing career change and reduced pension fund contributions
- Private medical treatment
- Travel/accommodation costs
- Costs of adapting house (or even moving house)
- (Road accidents): insurance excess/car repair costs or write-off value/hire charges
- Contractual obligation to repay sick pay to employers (eg public sector): add repayable sick pay to claim
Contact our expert Personal Injury Lawyers in Glasgow, Scotland
We pride ourselves on our expertise and our quality of service. Our team are able to help with any form of personal injury claim. For more information, contact Gordon Bell or David McElroy on 0141 473 6772 or enquire online.