Personal injury claim damages split into special damages and general damages in Dublin courts. Special damages cover financial losses with clear evidence while general damages compensate non-financial harm. Accident victims struggle with mounting bills and lost income after their injuries. They need fair compensation to rebuild their lives and cover ongoing costs.
Dublin personal injury lawyers use proven methods to calculate your total compensation amount. Economic damages calculation includes medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs. The process considers your unique circumstances and injury severity.
This guide explains how courts determine your compensation value. You will learn about damage calculation personal injury claim methods used in Ireland today.
Special Damages in Irish Personal Injury Claims (Economic Losses)
Special damages calculation covers all financial losses you can prove with receipts and records. These damages include medical costs, lost earnings, and accident-related expenses. Courts require clear documentation for every euro claimed under special damages.
Medical expenses reimbursement forms the largest part of most special damages claims. Special damages have increased by about 26% since 2020 due to inflation in Ireland. This category provides concrete compensation for your actual financial losses.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills documentation includes all treatment costs from your accident date forward. Past medical bills cover emergency care, hospital stays, and initial treatments. Current expenses include ongoing therapy, medications, and specialist appointments.
Future medical costs require expert medical testimony about your long-term needs. Courts calculate lifetime care costs for severe injuries requiring permanent assistance.
Past, current, and future medical treatment costs
Past treatment costs include emergency room visits, surgeries, and initial rehabilitation expenses. Current medical expenses cover ongoing treatments, medications, and therapy sessions. Future medical costs estimate lifetime care needs based on maximum medical improvement assessments.
Expert witness economic valuation helps courts understand complex future medical needs and associated costs.
Lost Earnings and Reduced Earning Capacity
Lost wages compensation replaces income you missed due to your injuries. Courts use payslips, tax records, and employment contracts to calculate lost earnings. Future earning loss considers your reduced ability to work long-term.
Self-employed claimants need business records, tax returns, and client contracts as proof. Courts also consider lost benefits, bonuses, and career advancement opportunities.
Compensation for missed work, loss of benefits, and long-term earning limitations
Missed work compensation covers time off for medical treatment and recovery periods. Lost benefits include health insurance, pension contributions, and company perks. Long-term earning limitations address permanent disability and impairment damages affecting your career.
Travel and Rehabilitation Costs
Travel expenses include trips to medical appointments, therapy sessions, and specialist consultations. Rehabilitation costs cover physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and specialized treatment programs. Courts reimburse mileage, parking fees, and public transport costs.
Travel to medical appointments, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation
Medical appointment travel includes hospital visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic testing trips. Physiotherapy travel covers regular treatment sessions and assessment appointments. Rehabilitation travel includes specialized therapy centers and long-term care facilities.
Other Out-of-Pocket Costs
Home modifications help accident victims adapt to permanent disabilities or mobility limitations. Mobility aids include wheelchairs, walking aids, and specialized equipment costs. Childcare expenses arise when injuries prevent normal parenting duties.
Home adaptations, mobility aids, childcare, and daily living adjustments
Home adaptations include ramps, bathroom modifications, and accessibility improvements for disabled claimants. Mobility aids cover wheelchairs, prosthetics, and assistive technology costs. Daily living adjustments include housekeeping services, meal preparation, and personal care assistance.
General Damages in Ireland (Non-Economic Losses)
General damages compensation addresses non-financial harm from your accident injuries. Pain and suffering multiplier methods help courts calculate appropriate compensation amounts. General damages dropped by nearly 46% after the new Guidelines introduced in 2021.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering compensation addresses physical discomfort and mental anguish from injuries. Courts use multiplier range 1.5 to 5 depending on injury severity and duration. Per diem pain and suffering method calculates daily compensation rates for ongoing discomfort.
Compensation for physical pain and long-term discomfort
Physical pain compensation covers immediate injury discomfort and chronic pain conditions. Long-term discomfort includes permanent pain, stiffness, and mobility restrictions. Courts consider injury recovery timeline evaluation when determining appropriate compensation levels.
Emotional and Psychological Distress
Emotional distress compensation addresses anxiety, depression, and trauma following accidents. Psychological injuries often require professional counseling and long-term therapy. Courts recognize mental health impacts as legitimate damages requiring compensation.
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mental anguish
Anxiety compensation covers panic attacks, phobias, and generalized worry following accidents. Depression damages address mood disorders, sleep problems, and social withdrawal. PTSD compensation covers flashbacks, nightmares, and trauma-related symptoms requiring professional treatment.
This comprehensive approach ensures Dublin accident victims receive fair compensation for all injury-related losses. Gary Matthews Solicitors – Injury Law helps clients maximize their compensation through expert legal representation. We fight for every euro you deserve after your accident injury.
