A personal injury can occur due to many reasons. The most common personal injuries occur due to road accidents or medical mismanagement. Whenever such incident occurs, one should contact the police for it. After any personal injury, the first legal question that pops up in your mind is about compensation. There are different ways one can claim this compensation.
1. You can take legal action in Civil Court
2. You can use the services of claims assessor
3. You can make a claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
4. The claim can be done through a criminal compensation order
5. The claim can be done through special government compensation schemes.
Amount of compensation
There are two types of compensation available after a personal injury, which you can claim.
General Damages
The court decides this amount as compensation for the injury. This payment can be for pain, suffering, or any loss that is likely to affect your future earnings.
Special Damages
This amount is paid on your actual financial loss. This includes your travelling, medical, belongings, and car repairing cost. However, if you were partly involved in the accident you will receive less compensation.
Claims assessors
Claims assessors, also known as claims managers, are people who take your case on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. However, a claims manager has some disadvantages as they don’t take the responsibility of your case fully, as a solicitor does. Claims Managers also sometimes ask for the percentage of the compensation you would get.
Taking legal action
Do not delay in seeking advice from a solicitor who is specialized in claim compensation cases, as such cases have strict time limits.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
The injury that occurs due to criminal act is dealt by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Such incidences should be reported to the Police, and application must be made within a two year time period.
Criminal compensation orders
A person who is found guilty of a criminal offence has to pay compensation for any loss or damage he is responsible for. However, the amount varies according to the financial status of the convicted person.
Special compensation schemes
There are many special compensation schemes for persons who have contracted HIV, or suffered damage as a result of vaccinations, or suffer from asbestos-related diseases.
Financial problems
Persons having financial problems due to personal injury may consult a specialist money adviser for debt and benefits.