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How are Compensation Amounts Calculated?*

I tripped on a pothole and fractured my wrist; how much is my injury compensation claim worth?

The best way to find out how much is your injury compensation claim worth is to speak with an independent personal injury solicitor about your case. It is possible to consult the Book of Quantum to personally check compensation amounts for a personal injury, although this should only be used as a rough guide and should not be used in isolation to obtain an accurate amount of how much injury compensation may be claimed.

The reason for this is that there are usually four different elements that must be considered when calculating compensation amounts for a personal injury; pain and suffering, loss of amenity, psychological problems and any costs that have been incurred as a result of an accident or injury. Each of these elements has considerable potential to affect the value of a compensation claim for a personal injury, and all must be considered before an accurate amount of compensation can be determined.

Although a personal injury solicitor should be able to give you an estimate of compensation amounts after hearing your account of the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries, a solicitor will only be able to accurately calculate how much injury compensation can be claimed after your injuries have been thoroughly assessed by a doctor. It may even be necessary for you to undergo a further medical examination by a specialist doctor in order to determine the full extent of your injury before an accurate compensation figure can be calculated.

A personal injury solicitor will arrange for you to be examined by an expert in the field to ensure that all aspects of your injuries are assessed, and can therefore be detailed on the Medical Assessment Form which must accompany your application for assessment to the Injuries Board.

Most claims for personal injuries must initially be assessed by the Injuries Board. You need to pay to have the assessment completed so it will be worth your while to confirm you eligibility to make a claim with a personal injury solicitor before submitting your application for assessment. A solicitor will assess your eligibility to make a personal injury claim before taking on your case, so it is in your best interests to consult a solicitor for legal advice before submitting claims for personal injuries to the Injuries Board.