What Are General Damages in a Personal Injury Claim?
Understanding General Damages in Personal Injury Claims
When you make a personal injury claim, general damages refer to the compensation awarded for non-financial losses caused by your injury. This includes things like pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, which covers the things you can no longer enjoy or do because of the injury.
In this video, Dominic Moss, Senior Partner at Stonehewer Moss Solicitors, explains what general damages are and how they play a crucial role in determining the value of your claim.
What Is Included in General Damages?
General damages primarily cover the physical and emotional impact of an injury. They include:
- Pain: The initial physical pain caused by your injury.
- Suffering: The ongoing issues you experience due to the injury, such as chronic pain or long-term effects.
- Loss of Amenity: The things you can no longer do because of your injury, such as hobbies, work, or social activities.
For example, if you were an avid runner but your injury prevents you from running, this loss of ability to participate in something you love would be considered loss of amenity. Similarly, the ongoing pain and suffering from a long-term injury are factored into the calculation of your general damages.
How Are General Damages Calculated?
Solicitors use various methods to calculate general damages. We often refer to case law and guidelines in order to estimate the appropriate level of compensation based on the specifics of your injury.
At Stonehewer Moss, we have access to legal resources that list past court cases similar to yours. These provide guidance on how much compensation may be awarded in similar situations. It’s important to note that no two cases are exactly the same, so while these guidelines help, the exact amount will depend on the severity of your injury, the length of recovery, and the long-term effects.
How Do General Damages Work with Special Damages?
General damages are often combined with special damages to form the total value of your claim. While general damages cover the non-financial losses (like pain, suffering, and loss of amenity), special damages are meant to compensate for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical expenses, and travel costs.
Together, general and special damages aim to make you whole again by covering both the emotional and financial consequences of the accident or injury.
How Can Stonehewer Moss Help You Claim General Damages?
At Stonehewer Moss, we understand that claiming general damages is an essential part of your personal injury claim. Our team has years of experience helping clients receive the compensation they deserve for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by their injuries.
If you have any questions or need guidance on how much your general damages might be worth, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand the process and work with you to secure the compensation you deserve.
Start Your Personal Injury Claim Today
If you’ve been injured and are looking to make a claim, or if you need help understanding general damages and how they apply to your case, we’re here to help. Visit our Personal Injury Claims page to learn more, or start your claim now.
Call us on 01606 872200 for expert advice on general damages and other personal injury claim matters.
