• Fracture
• Pain
• Numbness
• Paralysis
• Muscle ache
• Stiffness

Whiplash and other neck injuries can last a very long time and be very debilitating. They can disrupt ordinary life, preventing the patient from doing usual household tasks or going to work. Whiplash is caused by the head and neck moving involuntarily backwards and forwards at speed. This injury often occurs when the victim is rear-ended, but also in a side impact accident. In addition, a seat-belt may cause injury to the neck where it crosses the chest diagonally.

If you suspect you have suffered whiplash or other neck injury, it is important that you seek medical attention, keep track of all your medical documentation, and if necessary, seek advice from an experienced solicitor.

Whiplash Compensation

The Personal Injuries Board estimates that compensation for a minor whiplash neck injury (being one which heals within 12 months) would be a sum of up to €14,400. For a healing time of 2 years, their estimate is between €11,500 and €17,500. For injuries that do not heal, which studies suggest may be up to 20% of all whiplash injuries, the indicated range of compensation is between €15,900 and €78,400.

• Bleeding in the brain
• Coma
• Paralysis
• Speech problems

The symptoms associated with a head injury or trauma may not show up immediately. If there has been injury to the skull, then concussion may be anticipated, at a minimum. A head injury may also involve a spinal injury. Symptoms that seem minor or unrelated to the head (such as vomiting) may actually indicate serious damage. Medical help should be obtained promptly.

A head injury, clearly, may inhibit the victim from making a claim for compensation due to reduced ability to make good judgments. In this situation, friends and relations may need to make more overt efforts to assist the victim in the claim process. A good solicitor can also assist an incapacitated victim to make a successful claim.

Head Injury Compensation

The Personal Injuries Board estimates that compensation for a minor skull fracture or brain injury is approximately €23,300. For major skull fractures and/or brain injury, their indicated range of compensation is approximately €129,000.

The consequences will usually be severe. They include:

• Fractured vertebrae
• Herniated discs
• Muscle strain or spasms

A back injury is one of the most devastating injuries to a person’s ordinary lifestyle. Consequences may include:

• Chronic pain
• Difficulty walking, lifting, or performing ordinary tasks
• Full or partial paralysis

The injuries will usually limit movement and often lead to bed rest, physical therapy or surgery. Lifting heavy objects is a common cause of back injury. The injury may result not so much from the measured weight of the object as the frequency or circumstances of the lifting. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if you think you have injured your back in any kind of accident.

Back Injury Compensation

The Personal Injuries Board estimates that compensation for a minor back injury (being one which heals within 12 months) would be a sum up to €16,300. For a healing time of 2 years, their estimate is between €11,700 and €19,600. For injuries that do not heal, which studies suggest may be up to 20% of all back injuries, the indicated range of compensation is between €18,300 and €85,900.

The upper arm consists of the humerus, while the forearm consists of the radius and the ulna. The radius and ulna permit the positioning of the hand, the ulna stabilizing the radius as it rotates. This rotation is critical to the full use of the forearm. Its loss is very serious. The consequences of an arm injury may be severe. They include:

• Fracture
• Pain
• Muscle ache
• Stiffness
• Loss of function

An arm injury can occur even without an “accident”. Overuse of muscles or postural problems may cause the injury. (Repetitive strain injury –- “RSI” — is usually associated with the arm or hand.)

Fractures of the elbow are common in slips and falls. Careful diagnosis and treatment of this type of injury is crucial, as the nerve and vascular systems may be involved. The symptoms of an arm injury may last a very long time and can be very debilitating. They can disrupt ordinary life, preventing the patient from doing usual household tasks or going to work.

Arm Injury Compensation

The Personal Injuries Board estimates that compensation for a minor arm injury is up to €14,800. For what is termed a “moderate dislocation” of a person’s arm, which is still classed as a serious ongoing condition, compensation is estimated between €20,200 and €54,600. Losing one arm, or both arms, is estimated between €111,000 and €145,000.