Personal injuries are what they describe: injuries that you sustain to yourself. These might be physical, but they can also be psychological.
If you suffer a personal injury, you can claim for the personal pain and suffering you experience, and also for expenses such as damaged clothing, travel costs, and certain help and equipment you have needed as a result of the injury.
Types of Personal Injuries
Personal injuries can vary, according to individual circumstances, but typical injuries include:
- Whiplash and spinal injuries
- Head or brain injuries
- Electrocution or electric shock
- Severe burns
- Bone and soft tissue injuries
- Damage to joints
- Loss of limb
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage and damage to vital organs
- Damage to vision or hearing
- Psychiatric and emotional injuries, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These injuries can occur as a result of vehicle accidents, equipment failure, work-related accidents, construction site incidents, medical malpractice and various forms of workplace negligence.
They can be slips or falls from walking on ice or tripping over hazards; a severe bite from a dog not on its leash; a chemical burn from spilled, hazardous materials.
Personal injuries may happen at work, in the home, while travelling or on holiday.
What Can You Claim For?
When it comes to personal injuries claims, you can claim for the pain and suffering you experience and compensation for your physical injuries. These injuries can include scarring, disfigurement and psychological injury.
How much you receive in compensation will depend on how severe your injuries are; whether your injury has resulted in long-term or permanent disability; and how much your injury has disrupted your life.
As well as claiming for pain and suffering, you can also claim for loss of earnings.
An accident may cause you to have to take time off work, and you can claim to recover any loss of earnings. Normally, this claim is based on your average take-home pay during the three month period before the accident.
You may also be able to claim for future loss of earnings, if, for example, you cannot return to your old job, or you find you must give up work because of an accident.
There are other expenses associated with personal injuries claims. These include damage to clothing or personal effects.
You might also claim for travel or prescription charges, if these are things you must pay following an accident.
If, following an accident, a family member has to look after you, you may be able to claim compensation for them, because they are providing services to you.
There can also be costs for nursing care and equipment following a serious injury, if, for example, you require a wheelchair.
Why Make a Personal Injuries Claim?
Sometimes people are scared off making a personal injury claim because they think the process will be too complex, drawn-out and will not be worth it.
Claiming is your right, under law, and, if you have experienced physical or mental discomfort, or a life-changing injury, then it is perfectly fair that you should be able to seek compensation for it.
Advice and Support for Personal Injury Claims
We can assist you with your personal injury claim, if you are eligible. Please contact us today for advice and support. Call 0800 002 9577, or complete our online contact form.