General and Special Damages
General damages is the legal term used for the compensation that is awarded for the pain and suffering caused by an injury or an illness and any loss of amenity. A loss of amenity is awarded for the effect that an injury or disease has had on the ability to carry out daily activities, for example housework or playing football. General damages have to be assessed so that a monetary value can be placed on the pain and suffering that a person has gone through and what affect the injury or disease will have on that person in the future. General damages can be awarded for the loss of career prospects and promotions, disadvantage on the labour market and so on.
Special damages is the legal term used for the compensation that is awarded for the expenses and financial losses that you have had to pay as a result of an accident or disease. Special damages are those losses that can easily be valued. Special damages are awarded for loss of earnings and future loss of earnings, damage to property and personal effects, travel expenses and so on.
To find out more about general and special damages and what you are able to claim for, please call our personal injury team on 0870 609 3630.