A personal injury calculator is an internet tool offered by various law firms or claims companies, which can offer a broad estimate of the damages you may receive for a personal injury claim made in the civil court. A personal injury claim can be made if you have been injured in an accident, or if you have contracted an illness, through the negligence of another party.

A personal injury could have arisen due to the cumulative effect of unsafe working practices, rather than a single event such as a road traffic accident. For example, long-term exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis; or the repeated use of hand-held machinery can lead to vibration white finger. A personal injury could also be a psychological illness, perhaps caused by undue stress at work.

If your claim for compensation is successful you will be awarded damages, and these are two-fold. Special damages are recompense for any extra expenses you have incurred, as well as compensation for the loss of past and future income. General damages are compensation for your pain and suffering, and any loss of amenity. The amount of general damages awarded will be based on previous case law, the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines on injury amounts and the experienced opinion of the judge.

Thus, there are many factors to take into account concerning a prediction of the amount of compensation that may be awarded. Although a personal injury claim calculator will prompt you to in-put various data about your accident and injury, or illness, and produce a reliable estimation of possible compensation in terms of the average amounts that have been awarded in broadly similar cases; it cannot be relied upon to produce a comprehensive prediction. For example, if you have contributed in any way to the accident which caused your injury or illness, then some deductions may be made from your award, if your claim is successful.

Therefore it is advisable to speak to a personal injury lawyer, who can give legal advice about the practicability of your claim, and thereafter discuss all the circumstances which may affect a compensatory award. Additionally, an expert solicitor will examine the quality of the available evidence, the reliability of the witnesses and whether the negligent party has insurance, or any other means with which to pay compensation.

Last Updated on 04/10/2011