If you have been the victim of medical negligence in Australia, you may be wondering how much compensation you are entitled to. The amount of compensation that you can receive will depend on a variety of factors, including the extent of your injuries, the impact that they have had on your life and the financial losses that you have suffered as a result.
In general, compensation for medical negligence claims includes general damages and special damages.
General damages are designed to compensate you for the pain and suffering, and the amount will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries and the impact that they have had on your life. For example, if you have suffered a serious injury that has left you with long-term disability or chronic pain, you may be entitled to a higher amount of compensation than if your injury was relatively minor.
Special damages, on the other hand, are designed to compensate you for any financial losses that you have suffered as a result of the negligence. This may include things like medical expenses, loss of income, and the cost of any ongoing care or treatment that you may require.
Additionally, you may also be entitled to compensation for other losses, such as loss of enjoyment of life, loss of future earning capacity, and the cost of adapting your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries.
When calculating the amount of compensation that you are entitled to, your lawyer will take into account a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact that they have had on your life, the financial losses that you have suffered as a result and the relevant court decisions.
It is important to note that the amount of compensation that you are entitled to will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.
If you are considering making a medical negligence claim, it is important to seek timely legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in medical negligence cases.
You should seek legal advice as soon as possible after the incident to ensure that the claim is made within the time limits set out in the law.