A whiplash injury should not be treated with negligence. Whiplash injuries may cause life-long pain and suffering for the patient. Sudden movement of the neck, which can be rapid or slow, can cause a whiplash injury. It can occur through a road accident or via contact sports. Whatever the causes of the injury, whiplash should never be considered as something that can be ignored. In fact, if a third party is responsible for a whiplash injury, the victim can well claim whiplash injury compensation. See below for the symptoms of a whiplash injury:.
Common symptoms of whiplash injury
a) Neck stiffness and pain
b) Headache
c) The neck area may become enlarged
d) Moving the neck properly may be difficult
e) Tenderness in the back of the neck
Other more severe symptoms of whiplash injury
a) Pain in the lower back area
b) Muscle spasms
c) Tiredness
d) Blurred vision
e) Tinnitus
f) The hands and arms may suffer from pain, numbness or tingling sensations
g) Giddiness
h) Difficulty in swallowing
i) Vertigo
After a whiplash injury, symptom such dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and problems in swallowing will only continue for a few days. The symptoms of this kind of injury can very often linger, and may not go away without proper treatment which has been prescribed by your doctor. Irritability, poor concentration and memory loss have also been reported to have been caused through a whiplash injury.
A whiplash injury is sufficient reason to claim for whiplash compensation in case a third party is responsible. What is the amount of compensation you can expect? The compensation awarded will be dependant on many factors. A claim made against the insurance company will result in compensated being awarded as per the settlement agreement you have with them. However, if you have decided that you are going to use the assistance of a solicitor to make your claim, you will be entitled to
i) General damages
ii) Special damages
General damages for a whiplash injury will cover compensation for the pain and suffering caused to you and people close to you because of the injury. Included in the claim can be; psychological discorders such as depression, emotional pain and loss of enjoyment. For making this claim, you will need all medical reports pertaining to the injury with full details on the injury that has been caused and also the possible effect it has had on your emotional well being.
Special damage claim of a whiplash injury covers certain special losses you have had due to the injury. It includes all loss of earnings and wages you may have had during the period of treatment and also future loss of earnings you may have to endure due to the injury. It will also cover expenses for medical care, nursing and household help which you may have incurred due to the injury.
Once a whiplash accident has happened, the timescale for claiming is quite strict, has the UK laws have enforced a stipulated time frame for this. If an injury is more than 3 years old, then you will not be able to make a claim.
Professional legal advice is necessary in making a successful attempt at whiplash compensation claims.