7. Remedies for Personal Injury and Death

Question 1

What is the aim of damages in tort?

Answer 1

To place the claimant, so far as money can, in the same position they would have been in had the tort not occurred

Question 2

Does a claimant have a duty to mitigate their loss?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

What are pecuniary losses?

Answer 3

Any financial losses suffered by the claimant as a result of the injury caused by the defendant

Question 4

What is past income and is it capable of precise calculation?

Answer 4

Income lost in the period between injury and trial/settlement and is capable of precise calculation

Question 5

What are the two ways in which a claimant’s injuries may cause them to lose future income?

Answer 5

1. Claimant unable to return to work at all
2. Claimant can return to work, but due to the injuries, they can only work a job with a lower rate of pay

Question 6

How are damages assessed when the claimant is unable to return to work?

Answer 6

Multiply the claimant’s pre-accident annual income and multiply it by the number of years of lost income, with adjustments made to reflect the lump sum payment and the fact that the claimant could have lost his job in the future

Question 7

How are damages assessed when the claimant is able to return to work but only to a job with a lower rate of pay?

Answer 7

Same as where unable to return to work, except the difference between old and new salaries is multiplied by the years of lost income

Question 8

How are damages assessed when the claimant has a shortened life expectancy?

Answer 8

The claimant can recover for the income they would have earned in the lost years, adjusted based on the amount they would have spent on expenses during those years

Question 9

Is a claimant expected to mitigate their loss by accepting treatment provided by the NHS instead of seeking private care?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

What is a nonpecuniary loss?

Answer 10

Non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering and the loss of amenity which it causes, e.g., victim can never play soccer again due to being permanently in need of a wheelchair.

Question 11

Are damages available for both past and future pain and suffering and loss of amenity?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

What is the unconsciousness limitation on recovery for pain and suffering?

Answer 12

Any period the claimant was unconscious or in a condition where they were not feeling pain or actually suffering is subtracted from the damages. However, they can still claim for loss of amenity during this time, e.g., when the victim was in a coma for several months.

Question 13

What are the damages based on where property is (1) destroyed and (2) damaged?

Answer 13

1. Cost of replacement
2. Diminution in value, often the cost of repair

Question 14

Are consequential costs, e.g. of hiring a replacement whilst your own replacement is sorted, or during repair, recoverable?

Answer 14

Yes

But not if you had borrowed the thing which was damaged or destroyed from another person (pure economic loss)

Question 15

What is the difference between special damages and general damages, and what types of damages come under each heading?

Answer 15

1. Special damages can be precisely calculated at the time of trial, including past loss or earnings and past expenses
2. General damages need to be assessed by the court, including future loss of earnings and future expenses, as well as nonpecuniary damages for future pain and suffering or loss of amenity

Question 16

What are the two types of damages claim which arise on death?

Answer 16

1. If a claimant dies, their existing cause of action may continue for the benefit of the estate
2. If a victim dies, a new cause of action may arise for the benefit of their dependents and for bereavement

Question 17

Where a claimant dies, what damages are recoverable and what are not recoverable by their estate?

Answer 17

Recoverable: Pain and suffering, loss of amenity, and expenses and loss of earnings up until death (+Funeral expenses)

Not recoverable: Any damages after the period of death, and no claim for the death itself

Question 18

Does whether or not the cause of death of a claimant is related to the tort change anything about the continuation of their claim?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

What is one type of claim which will not survive the death of a claimant?

Answer 19

Defamation

Question 20

Do causes of action against a defendant who dies survive?

Answer 20

Yes, and can be brought again against their estate

Question 21

Only what three groups can recover damages for bereavement?

Answer 21

1. Spouse/civil partner
2. Cohabiting partner of deceased for 2 years prior to death
3. Parents, only if deceased was under 18 and never married

Question 22

Who are two groups who are not eligible for bereavement damages but who could be used as trap answers on the exam?

Answer 22

1. Parents of a child over 18
2. Children upon death of a parent

Question 23

What are the two conditions that must be satisfied to claim damages for loss of dependency?

Answer 23

1. Eligible person (usually same parties who are eligible for bereavement), and
2. Financially dependent on the deceased