Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases Book

Putting a price on the loss of an eye or of a limb is a task which to many may seem distasteful, but since the law cannot restore sight or mobility, it can only value physical and other injuries in monetary terms. This is a task that generations of lawyers have had to perform, and this book is designed to make this difficult task easier, by setting down standard guidelines for them to refer to in particular cases. This edition includes a new section on asthma, increased information on deafness and lung diseases and the figures have been updated. The guidelines are designed to provide a clear and logical framework for the assessment of damages but not to limit the discretion of the assessor, since every case must to a degree depend on its own facts. The guidelines are referred to in the courts and should be useful to judges, solicitors, barristers, insurance companies, trade unions and the medical defence organizations. Contents include injuries involving paralysis, head injuries, psychiatric damage, injuries affecting the senses, injuries to internal organs, orthopaedic injuries, facial injuries, scarring to other parts of the body and damage to the hair. The book also highlights considerations which may influence the level of the award in any particular case.Read More