You might be feeling like you been left out of pocket following an accident, and you might be wondering whether you can claim any of these expenses back.
In addition to damages relating to your injury, you can also claim ‘special damages’ which are your financial losses resulting from an accident. This blog will discuss the main types of losses.
You should try to retain any receipts, bank statements, or other evidence for any losses or expenses you may have incurred, as usually you are required to provide evidence of these losses in order to recover them.
Loss of earnings
If you work, you may be worried about lost earnings resulting from sick leave you have taken due to the accident. This is especially a concern if your injuries have required you to take long-term sick leave or you have had to leave your job as your injuries have left you unable to carry on working. Loss of earnings can be included in your claim whether you are employed or self-employed. This could just be for a number of days or weeks off work, or could be that you can no longer work due to the accident or have had to move to a lower paid role as you cannot perform the work duties required in your previous role. You may also have incurred losses to the value of your pension or lost other fringe benefits due to your time off work.
We can usually obtain evidence of these losses from your employers but if you are self-employed, we may need your help in providing accounts and tax returns.
Care and assistance
You can claim for care provided by professional carers or by your family members or friends. This can be for domestic assistance such as help with cleaning the house, cooking, gardening, or driving to medical appointments. This also includes if you need to hire a professional cleaner or gardener to assist with these tasks. Care can also include personal care such as help with washing, going to the toilet, dressing, or brushing your teeth.
Medical treatment
You can also claim for medical treatment that you have paid out of pocket for. This can include private consultations, surgeries, or tests, as well as for physiotherapy, psychological therapy, and sports massages. However, these must be in relation to the injury resulting from the accident. In addition to this, you can claim for prescription or over-the-counter medication you have purchased for your injury, such as painkillers. You can claim for any medical aids and equipment you have needed to purchase and can also include the cost of any future medical treatment you may require.
Travel expenses
Travel expenses can also be included in your claim. Again, this must relate to the accident and your resulting injuries, for example, travel to medical appointments. You should keep receipts for any taxi costs or parking fees you incur.
Insurance excess
You can also include any insurance excess you may have needed to pay, for example, if you were in a road traffic accident or if you are using private medical insurance to receive treatment for your accident-related injury.
Other expenses
You can claim for other miscellaneous items, like damaged clothing or equipment you have purchased to assist you following your injury. It may also be possible to include loss of enjoyment of a holiday or hobbies that you can longer do or were affected by your accident and your injuries. It is worth mentioning anything you think you have paid out of pocket for or anything you may have lost out on that is a result of the accident. Your solicitor can then advise whether this is something that can be included in your claim.
Your solicitors may also contact your employers, health insurers or other third parties to check whether they wish for their financial outlay to be included in your claim too.
Please view these links If you would like to learn more about loss of earnings or care and assistance.
If you have suffered a personal injury and would like to speak with one of our specialist solicitors call us today on 0161 696 6235.
Blog author: Lilia Williams
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