What Losses Can I Claim For?
Many of our clients when they first approach us with a claim have many questions surrounding which losses they can claim for. All our legally trained advisors are able to answer these questions; however, we always feel it necessary to inform the wider public who may be sat at home equally unsure.
Losses from a claim can be wide ranging and can form a large part of any personal injury claim. Compensation in personal injury claims is applied for in separate parts – there is the claim for compensation and there is the claim for losses suffered as a result of the accident. The latter is compiled in a document known as a Schedule of Loss and disclosed to the other side.
Below is a list of some of the types of losses you may claim in a Schedule of Loss:
- Loss of earnings – if you have had time off work, unpaid or on a lower level of pay such as Statutory Sick Pay, then you may have a claim for loss of earnings. If you are employed then a solicitor would usually ask you for 13 weeks worth of wage slips prior to the accident. Your loss of earnings is then calculated over an average of the 13 week period. If you are self –employed this average is usually calculated over 3 years of profit – loss accounts.
- Treatment costs – many clients who come to us feel in need of treatment, such as physio. If we take on a claim we can often refer our clients to have private treatment; the fees of which are to be paid by the other side. These treatment costs are included in the schedule of loss; however you never have to pay anything out for them using our private medical care.
- Care and Assistance – if you have had a carer/family/friend assisting you with personal care, household chores, preparing meals or shopping (this list is not exhaustive), then you can claim their time back at an hourly rate. It must be of note however that due to the nature of the claim you may not get all of which you claim for, and whatever you receive is payable to your carer/carers.
- Other items of loss can include travel expenses to medical appointments, prescription costs, and miscellaneous expenses such as telephone calls and postage.