Update to Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland

Worthingtons Solicitors welcome the release of the Sixth Edition of the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines for assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland.

The JSB Guidelines, more commonly referred to as the ‘Green Book,’ provide guidance to practitioners on the range of damages to be awarded for certain categories of injury.  These are guidelines only and each case still has to be considered on a case specific basis but the Green Book acts as a helpful aid to solicitors and barristers when assessing and advising clients on the value of a case.

The latest edition of the Green Book provides for an increase in the range for the majority of injury categories when compared with the previous edition published over five years ago.

Some of the notable increases in the guidelines are set out below.

• Psychiatric damage: the previous edition did not provide guidance on the range of award for adjustment disorders however the 6^th edition provides for an award of up to £10,000 where full recovery is made within 12 months and up to £20,000 where full recovery is made between 12-24 months.

• The guide range for severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is almost double that of previous editions with a range of up to £100,000 – £250,000.

• Clarity has been provided in respect of the guide range for minor neck injuries, such as those sustained following a road traffic accident. The ranges are now defined by the period of time for recovery being up to 6 months, 6 to 12 months and 12 to 24 months.  This should assist practitioners and insurers alike to better value these injuries.   

• Finally, the previous distinction in the level of damages awarded based on gender for particular injuries such as facial disfigurement has been removed. In previous editions, it was suggested that higher awards be made In cases of female facial scarring.

Worthingtons Solicitors deal with a wide range of personal injury matters including but not limited to:

• Road traffic accidents
• Accidents at work
• Public liability injuries
• Medical negligence
• Dental negligence

Worthingtons have a team of dedicated lawyers who specialise in personal injury matters.   If you or someone in your family has sustained an injury as a result of an incident which was not your/their fault, please contact the Litigation Department on 02890434015 or 02891811538 to discuss.