The victim of an accident may apply to the Injuries Board Ireland to seek injury compensation from the individual responsible for the accident. The first question that comes to the mind is – how much can you obtain as compensation for the injuries? It is necessary to consult competent solicitors in Ireland to find out the way damages are assessed.  

Here are the things that affect the compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident.

The short-term consequences of the injuries: When the injuries you sustain result in physical pain and suffering and psychological trauma and anxiety, the compensation award aims to compensate for these damages. The assessment of damages offers two specific types of awards, one for the general damages and the other for the special damages.

How do these two differ? The general damages award aims to compensate for the pain and suffering you have to endure due to the injuries. On the other hand, the special damages award aims to compensate for the financial losses you suffer due to the injuries. This may include lost earnings, medical bills, and vehicle repair costs.

The long-term consequences of the injuries: If an injury results in a disability or a loss of an organ or function, the compensation may reflect this. The type and severity of the injuries you suffer have a considerable effect on the general damage award. For example, a head injury that results in paralysis may get you higher compensation than minor injuries.

It is possible to find out an estimate of the compensation you may be eligible for with the help of an online calculator. This resource helps you get an idea about the compensation amount for injuries affecting different parts of the body and in different ways. However, keep in mind that this is just estimation; the amount may vary in different claims.

Another factor affects the compensation amount if the Injuries Board does not assess the damages. This may happen in case the matter involves legal disputes regarding liability. In such a circumstance, the claimant may take the claim to the Court.

The degree of liability of the parties involved: If the respondent, i.e., the individual you held to be responsible for the accident, acted in a negligent manner, the victim may be eligible for compensation from him/her. However, if the victim is also partially responsible for the accident, the amount of compensation may be reduced accordingly.

The degree of negligence of the respondent is also dependent on certain other factors, like road and weather conditions. However, all these factors come in question only when the claim needs to be made to the Court. The assessment of damages by the Injuries Board is a document-based process and does not involve such questions.

Whether you suffer from whiplash injury in a car collision or a loss of limb in a workplace accident, it is necessary to seek help from a competent solicitor if the accident was caused due to the negligence or fault of someone else. Proficient legal advice and assistance makes it easier for you to attain the compensation you are entitled to.

Author Bio

Celia Barrymore is a legal consultant working in Ireland. If you are seeking the advice and assistance of competent solicitors in Dublin to help you understand the claims process involving a particular type of injury like whiplash compensation related details, she suggests you visit www.lacs.ie/ for more details.