Getting complete compensation on your injury claim is an absolute necessity when you think that the ultimate aim is to get back to the same position you were before the accident. And if this cannot be achieved then the amount you receive should be enough to compensate you for any long term effects you may suffer.
Claims can be split into two categories, those made if you’ve been injured and also for any financial losses which you have incurred as a result. So, for example, you can claim a month’s salary if the injuries you sustained meant you were unable to work during that time. This is pretty straightforward. But you can also claim for certain injuries such as a broken ankle and this is where you might not get the compensation you really feel you deserve. This is because the ‘value’ of your broken ankle is something that might be disputed. If you break an ankle and you are an Olympic runner then it may be argued that the value is greater than if your job is behind a desk in a bank. The value becomes relative and yet it may cause you hardship.
These categories are divided into:
- Special Damages – Compensation which covers financial losses that can be calculated conclusively.
- General Damages – Covering compensation for losses that cannot be calculated in such a decisive way, such as injuries.
Understand the value of your claim
No matter how you were injured, whether it’s a fall at home, a car accident or any kind of accident that wasn’t your fault, your main priority is to get better. But the costs that can be involved in this can be considerable, especially if you have to undergo rehabilitation, or therapy of some sort. It’s not just medical bills, there will be loss of earnings to take into account too.
Understanding the value of your claim is important because you really need to know exactly how much you will need to get you through the ensuing trauma and upheaval. Fortunately, a legal expert trained in injury claims will be on hand to advise you, however there are some things you can do to help them get you the compensation you deserve.
Keep a detailed journal of what is happening to you
A personal injury journal is a collection of notes, cuttings etc that detail everything about your accident. Do not wait to get started on this. Write all you can about the accident as soon as possible so it is fresh in your mind. Your journal or scrapbook should contain the following:
- Whatever you remember about the accident.
- Specific dates and times.
- Names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Police reports.
- Medical records. Details of how much pain you’ve suffered.
- A record of the treatment you’ve received
- Exchanges you may have had with your insurance company, doctors etc.
In this way your lawyer will get a comprehensive picture of how the accident has occurred and the impact it has had on your life.
Get medical attention right away, even if it seems like nothing is wrong
So you’ve had a fall through no fault of your own and have suffered only minor bruising, or maybe a driver knocked you off your bike but you seem OK – you may not feel that this kind of accident warrants a trip to A&E but you should really go there anyway. Even minor accidents can lead to major injuries, such as concussion and back injuries so getting checked out is absolutely crucial, both for health reasons and for the potential to receive financial compensation for your injuries.
Consult with an individual who specialises in injury claims like Wafer Phillips
It is important that you consult with a specialist in injury claims – and that’s where we come in.
At Wafer Phillips our specialist injury team has the experience and knowledge to work out whether you have a claim and how to take it forward. It is important you get a legal expert on board to realise complete compensation on your injury claim as it is in others’ interests for you to settle for less. For example, if you’re in a car accident the other driver’s insurance company might get in touch to get you to offer you a sum of money to forego a potentially lengthy claims procedure. Usually we would strongly advise against this until you have been fully evaluated by a medical professional. We cannot stress how important it is to consult with a legal representative and we are here to help. Contact Us today and we will be delighted to arrange an initial free-of-charge consultation.
