7. Remedies for Personal Injury and Death Flashcards

1
Q

What is the aim of damages in tort?

A

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

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2
Q

Does a claimant have a duty to mitigate their loss?

A

Yes

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3
Q

What are pecuniary losses?

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

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

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5
Q

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

A
  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
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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

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

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8
Q

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

A

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

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9
Q

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

A

No

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10
Q

What is a nonpecuniary loss?

A

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.

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11
Q

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

A

Yes

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12
Q

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

A

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.

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13
Q

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

A
  1. Cost of replacement
  2. Diminution in value, often the cost of repair
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14
Q

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

A

Yes

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

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15
Q

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

A
  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
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16
Q

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

A
  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
17
Q

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

A

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

18
Q

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

A

No

19
Q

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

A

Defamation

20
Q

Do causes of action against a defendant who dies survive?

A

Yes, and can be brought again against their estate

21
Q

Only what three groups can recover damages for bereavement?

A
  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
22
Q

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

A
  1. Parents of a child over 18
  2. Children upon death of a parent
23
Q

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

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