If you have suffered a serious injury in an accident, one of the first questions you may have is: How much compensation can I claim?
There is no fixed amount. The value of a personal injury claim depends on the nature of the injury and how it has affected your life, your ability to work and your future needs.
Compensation may include pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, disability and the loss of activities you previously enjoyed.
You may also be able to claim for medical expenses, rehabilitation, medication, physiotherapy, counselling, medical equipment and other treatment required because of your injury.
If your injury has affected your ability to work, your claim may include lost wages and loss of earning capacity. This can involve not only income you have already lost, but also the income and employment opportunities you may lose in the future.
Other expenses may also be recoverable, including the cost of care and assistance, transportation, home modifications and specialised equipment. In some cases, family members provide significant care and assistance that would otherwise have to be paid for.
For a serious injury, it is important to consider future costs, not just the bills you have received since the accident. Your medical condition may require ongoing treatment, care or assistance for years to come.
A personal injury claim should therefore be assessed by looking at the full impact of the injury on your life, your income and your future.
If you have suffered a serious injury, obtaining legal advice early can help ensure that the full extent of your losses is properly identified and supported by the necessary evidence.
