When it comes to claiming compensation, most people probably assume the amount awarded is based purely upon the nature of the injury received. There is some truth in this, in as much as any calculation of money to be awarded will be based, in part, upon the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as taking into account the precise nature of the accident which caused the injury. Other factors which may have a bearing include your age and whether it’s felt that you played any personal part in the circumstances of the accident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident which wasn’t your fault then you’ve every right to claim compensation. As well as giving you an amount to make up, in some small way, for the pain and distress you’ve suffered, compensation is intended to reimburse you for any actual money which has been lost as a result of the accident. You may, for example, have to pay money for extra travel expenses in the form of taxi fares, or for medication to help cope with your injuries. In the event of particularly severe injuries you might have to cover the costs of having your home adapted or employing a full or part time carer.
Another financial blow often felt by those suffering injuries is a loss of earnings. Immediately following the accident you may not be able to work at all and even if you do return to work in the future it might well be in a reduced capacity. In some cases, people find that their injuries are such that they have no option but to actually leave work. Any long term reduction in your earning capability will be taken into account when deciding how much compensation to give you since the award is intended, on a basic level, to ensure that you can live your life as you did before the accident, if only in financial terms.
If you’ve suffered a serious injury through someone else’s negligence then it shouldn’t be up to you to carry on paying the price. A personal injury lawyer will help you to make sure that the financial burden, at the very least, is taken from your shoulders.
