As well as compensation for your injury claim, there are other claims that need to be taken into account. Unfortunately as more and more unqualified and untrained people deal with Personal Injury claims, some of the claims that can be made are not taken into account.
At JST we speak to our clients and take time to get to know them, ensuring that we are able to maximise compensation and obtain all of the compensation you deserve.
You are entitled to claim for loss directly arising out an accident. The following guidelines are examples of claims that can be made and not does represent an exhaustive list.
TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOU ARE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION RING
Matthew
ON 0800 926666
Loss of Earnings/ Future Loss of Earnings/Loss of Pension.
This can include your own direct losses, loss of overtime, sick pay that your employers pay you, and additional staff costs for self employed. If you are unable to return to work, or to the same occupation, a claim for future losses can also be made.
Loss of Congenial Employment
If you are unable to continue working in a job that you enjoyed you may have a claim for Loss of Congenial Employment. Awards have been made for the following professions:
Nurse, Care Assistant, Chef, Hairdresser, Footballer, Police Officer, Air Steward, Teacher as well as many others.
Nursing/Care and Domestic Assistance and Future Claims
If you have to pay for nursing care immediately following an accident or continuing in the future, this is a claim that can be made. If friends and family assist you following an accident, even though you have not paid them; it is possible to claim for their assistance.
As well as nursing and general care services, if you require help over and above any help that you received prior to an accident, you may have a claim. For example, claims can be made for the following;
Help with cooking, cleaning, ironing, shopping, making beds, cleaning windows, vacuuming, childcare, driving, DIY, gardening, personal matters such as washing hair, dressing and toilet needs.
Also if you are already a carer for another person or a child and you require help for a period of incapacity, again this is a valid head of claim.
You also may be able to claim for the additional costs of employing a carer, nurse, cleaner, childminder, gardener, decorator or other such person during a period of incapacity.
Treatment costs/Medical expenses.
Many insurers now will offer early rehabilitation to assist in your recovery. Treatment costs are often provided for physiotherapy, counselling, acupuncture, pain specialists, MRI Scans, X-rays and any other private treatment such as surgery etc, so long as it arises as a direct result of the accident.
In addition don’t forget to keep receipts for any over the counter medication bought and prescription charges.
Vehicle Repairs/Write off Value/E xcess/Diminution of Value.
Whether your vehicle is repairable or a write off will be determined by an engineer. We can arrange for an engineer to examine your vehicle. If an engineer believes the vehicle is repairable he will usually give an idea of the cost of those repairs and we can arrange these for you.
If an engineer examines your vehicle and deems it to be a write off, depending on the type of write off, you may have to dispose of the vehicle. If your vehicle has a scrap value then this will be deducted and you will receive the net valuation. If you have finance on your vehicle and the amount of finance is higher than the value of the vehicle, unfortunately you will only receive the value of the vehicle, not the finance repayment.
Some written off vehicles only have cosmetic damage, and you are perfectly entitled to keep that vehicle if you wish. Again the net value will be recoverable.
If your own insurance company deals with the repairs, you may have to pay an excess to the repairer. The excess can be anything from £50.00 to £1000. This is an uninsured loss that you can include in your claim.
If your vehicle is less than 3 years old and you intend to sell the vehicle within 3 years or alternatively your vehicle is a “Classic” motor, even if repairs are carried out to the highest standard the valuation of the vehicle can be affected, and you may have a “Diminution” claim. We can arrange for an engineer to consider a diminution claim.
Vehicle Hire/Loss of Use of Vehicle.
If you are not provided with a courtesy car, you may be able to hire a replacement vehicle and claim the charges back. A courtesy car provided by your insurers should be free, however some garages may suggest that you are getting a courtesy car when it is really a “Credit Hire.” You should note that “Credit Hire” car claims can be difficult, and there are occasions where claimants have to attend court hearings regarding this type of hire only. Also a court may require you to disclose financial information as to your need for a credit and many claimants find this intrusive. You should check carefully any documentation you are required to sign by a repairer or hire company.
If you arrange for your own hire vehicle and pay for this yourself, you will recover the cost, as long as the hire period is reasonable ie until a “Write off” cheque is received or repairs are completed and you are not deemed to be at fault for the accident.
Claims for loss of use of the vehicle can be made if no hire or courtesy car is provided during a repair period or whilst you are awaiting for a “Write off” cheque. This will usually be paid at between £10-20 per day, dependent on circumstances.
Damage to property or loss of property.
Common claims arising from accidents would be:
- Spectacles
- Damage to clothing
- Damage to Satellite Navigation and mobile phones.
- Items in the boot of vehicle which can not be recovered due to damage.
- Broken Watches/Jewellery
- Camera’s
Loss of Enjoyment Claims/Loss of Opportunity/Breakdown of relationship.
For example, loss of enjoyment of holiday is something that many people endure. If you have booked a holiday but are unable to fully partake you may have a claim. If you take holiday instead of unpaid sick leave, again this is something you should include in your claim.
If you lose an opportunity as a result of an accident, for example, you are unable to start/finish a training course, a new job or a business opportunity, you should discuss this with us.
Injury can also lead to changes in personality, depression, financial difficulties and this is also something that we can consider with you.
Miscellaneous
Other expenses can also be claimed for eg:
- Travel
- Telephone
- Postage
- Administration costs such as photo development cards.
Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive.
TO ENSURE YOU RECEIVE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION RING
MATTHEW
ON 0800 926666
