Amount of Compensation
In order to promote consistency and
assist the courts, personal injury solicitors
and other advisers, the Judicial Studies Board
publish a set of guidelines for the level of injury
awards for a broad range of injuries. The information,
which follows, has been taken from those guidelines.
Whilst the guidelines are very useful and provide a good
general indicator of the level of damages which may be
paid, it should be remembered that no two cases are ever
the same and general damage claims for injuries
resulting from accidents will always reflect the
individual circumstances of the particular in dividual
and the injuries he or she has suffered and claims will
be assessed accordingly.
Accidents Resulting in Back Injury Claims
Back and neck injuries can often lead to paralysis as the spinal cord is damaged. Compensation claims awards for instances of paralysis are dealt with in the sections entitled Paraplegia and Quadriplegia. Compensation claims awards for back injuries rarely go beyond £25,000 unless there are complications and special features of the particular personal injury.
For example, although fairly rare, back injuries can lead to impotence and incontinence. In such cases compensation claims for personal injury would attract payments of between £52,000 and £87, 500. In those compensation claims where the effect of the personal injury is not so serious but there may be consequences for bowel or bladder function, claims would typically be settled by payments in the region of £42,500.
Where there are disc lesions or fractures of the vertebral discs, the accidents victim may continue to feel pain, discomfort and depression, possibly undergoing personality change or having his or her prospects in the labour market affected. Claims for compensation may be paid between £20,000 and £36, 000.
Moving down the scale of seriousness of personal injury, where the disability remains after a period of healing, claimants may expect to receive between £14,500 and £20,000. Typically, these would be claims for compensation where there is a fracture of a backbone and that has given rise to a real risk of osteoarthritis. Additionally, the accident victim may be suffering constant pain and discomfort and there may be interference with sexual function and a likelihood of degeneration of the back.
Where the accident victim was already suffering from some kind of back condition and the accident giving rise to the claim for compensation exacerbates the existing condition, depending upon the seriousness of the original condition and whether any resulting disability is permanent or chronic, his or her claim for compensation may expect to be settled between £6,500 and £14,500.
In cases of compensation
claims where the accident led to minor strain
inury, sprain and soft tissue injuries where there has
been full or almost full recovery without surgery within
about five years, any compensation claim should be paid
between £4,000 and £7,000. If recovery, in the same
circumstances takes place within about two
years, the claim for personal injury should be
settled up to about £4,000.
Of course, the award in any
particular circumstances would depend on the specific
injury suffered. If you require any advice or assistance
about any claim you may wish to make for an ankle
injury, Accident Aid would be pleased to hear from you.
Please call or email for free no obligation
assistance.

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