Multiple Injury Claim Calculator: Compensation Payouts For Several Injuries In The Same Accident

In this article we explain what a multiple injury claim is; why you can only make one personal injury claim for each accident event no matter the number of injuries you suffer; how your solicitor calculates your compensation payouts for multiple injuries in the same accident, when your solicitor may instruct a barrister to help determine your final compensation payout.

Table of Contents

Multiple Injury Claim Calculator: Compensation Payouts For Several Injuries In The Same Accident
- What is a multiple injury claim?

What is a multiple injury claim?

You may suffer more than one injury in the same accident event. In other words – you have suffered multiple injuries.

So long as someone (other than yourself) is considered legally at fault – you will likely be entitled to claim compensation. This is one claim for many injuries and is known as a multiple injury claim.

You May Claim Against A Person, Business Or Local Authority

Personal injury claims are generally based on human error. However, your claim may not always be against the individual directly.

For example – consider the act of a worker employed by a company who negligently causes you injury whilst at work. Your claim would typically be be against the employer business, based on a legal doctrine known as vicarious liability.

Examples of multiple injury claims

There are many different types of accident that can cause multiple injuries.

Example 1 – Motorcycle Road Accident

If a motorcyclist is hit by another vehicle, such as a car or lorry, serious injuries can follow.

For example – you may suffer a broken leg, an injured back, a fractured skull and psychological injury.

Your multiple injury claim will be made against the driver at fault. Remembering that the motor insurer will meet the claim on behalf of the negligent driver.

Example 2 – Fall From Height Workplace Accidents

In a workplace accident involving a fall from a ladder – you may experience: a broken leg, fractured arm, foot injury and head injuries.

It might be that the ladder was defective or was not properly footed. In such instances – your multiple injury claim will be made against your employer. Remembering that your employer will have employer’s liability insurance to meet any such claims.

Can you make more than one claim for each type of personal injury in the same accident?

“No” – you can only make one personal injury claim for all of your injuries (plus financial loss and expense) caused in one accident event.

Personal injury claims will generally conclude in “full and final settlement”. In other words – all injuries and all financial losses are compensated for if the offer is accepted.

This means that you cannot return for more compensation at a later time should your injuries worsen. It is not possible to claim twice.

In our earlier work accident ladder fall example – your single personal injury claim would include your broken leg, fractured arm, foot and head injuries plus any other physical injury, any psychological injury, lost income, medical expenses and all other financial losses.

See our jargon-buster definition of full and final settlement for more details

Can you claim more than one time for multiple injuries in different accidents?

“Yes” – each accident event leading to injury can give rise to a separate personal injury claim.

Watch out – if you suffer personal injury to the same body part in different accidents, you can only claim for the extent of the injury caused by each accident. If you suffer injury to different body parts in each accident – you can claim for the full extent of the injury (as they are different) in each personal injury claim.

For example:

EXAMPLE 1 – Two Car Accidents With Similar Injuries

Imagine having two car accidents 6 months apart – each causing back injury.

A medical expert, instructed by your solicitor, will have to decide which accident caused which amount of back injury and each claim would reflect this.

The second accident could be considered a novus actus interveniens. In other words – only 6 months symptoms could be associated to the first accident with the second accident being considered responsible for all remaining symptoms.

EXAMPLE 2 – Two Car Accidents With Different Injuries

Imagine again – two car accidents, 6 months apart.

In the first car accident you suffered back injury and in the second a broken arm.

Here – your first personal injury claim would be for the back injury alone and the second personal injury claim for the broken arm.

How is your overall compensation payout calculated if you suffer multiple injuries?

Unfortunately, in the UK the amount of each of your injuries in the same accident event are not simply added together to give your overall compensation.

Generally, you look to the value for the worst injury and use any other injuries to push that injury to the higher end of its “value bracket”.

Car Accident Claim Example

Please note that the figures given in this example are historic and for illustration purposes only.

Imagine you are involved in a serious car accident causing back injury with pain for 3 years and minor post-traumatic stress.

Back injury with pain up to 5 years is worth compensation of £6,900 to £11,000 – known as its “value bracket”. Minor post-traumatic stress is worth compensation of £3,000 – £7,200.

To calculate the amount of compensation for all of your injuries – look at the largest value bracket of £6,900 – £11,000. The post-traumatic stress can be argued to push your compensation to the higher end of this bracket, namely – the £11,000 figure.

solicitor calculating compensation payout — Solicitor Calculating Compensation Payout

Are there occasions when compensation amounts are added together for each injury?

There are certain instances when compensation amounts are added together for each injury, For example:

Similar body parts

Some types of multiple injury of the same or similar body parts are already set by judicial guidance. The final compensation figure is effectively adding together compensation amounts.

For example – the amount of compensation for the loss of one leg is more or less double the loss of two legs.

Distinctly different body parts

Some types of injury are distinctly different. For example, a loss of an eye and the loss of a leg.

In these instances – it may be more accurate to add compensation amounts for each loss to give your overall general damages payout.

Your solicitor will rely on both judicial guidance and caselaw (for similar accidents decided by the courts in the past) to determine the compensation payout amount.

Can compensation for multiple injury be larger than the sum of the parts?

“Yes” – when it comes to pain and suffering for multiple injury, you may find that you can claim more than the addition of compensation for the injury to each body part.

Consider compensation for the loss of sight in one eye compared to total blindness. Blindness being worth far in excess of double the compensation for the loss of sight in a single eye.

The reason the compensation is so much higher for the loss of sight for two eyes is perhaps obvious. Total blindness will call vastly more pain and suffering and disability than the loss of sight in one eye alone.

You can continue to function more or less normally with sight in one eye – but total blindness will completely change your life.

When is a barrister necessary to help calculate your multiple injury claim payout?

A barrister will generally be necessary when your multiple injuries are serious or affect distinctly different body parts. To be as accurate as possible and ensure nothing is missed – your solicitor may instruct a barrister to assist in calculating the amount of compensation you can claim.

There are a number of possible ways the barrister will give an opinion as to your likely compensation payout.

Barrister’s written advice

A written advice – referring to case law and judicial guidance and giving the barrister’s reasoning for a potential payout settlement.

We recommend – you ask to see a copy of the barrister’s advice. This way you can be happy with the compensation valuation.

Conference with the barrister

Before giving an opinion on quantum (how much your claim is worth) – your barrister may meet you in person. Your solicitor will, of course be present. This is known as a barrister’s conference and maybe necessary when:

Your barrister has a number of questions – that only you, as the injured party can answer. For example – you may have ongoing symptoms that may not have been commented on by medical experts. Alternatively, there may be issues about your employment following the accident or the need for modifications in the home due to disability.
Either the barrister, your solicitor or you yourself may prefer to meet in person. In this way – all concerned can ensure nothing has been missed and any queries are fully addressed.

Take This Opportunity To Ask Questions And Air Any Concerns You Have

During the conference with the barrister – you will have a chance to air any concerns you have. It is also a golden opportunity to ask any questions your solicitor may not have answered.

Therefore, go prepared with a list of questions and concerns.

Barrister requires additional information

Your barrister should be provided with all relevant evidence by your solicitor. On occasion, your barrister may feel the evidence is incomplete to allow a proper determination of a compensation settlement for multiple injuries.

Additional Medical Evidence May Be Necessary

Your barrister may believe the medical evidence in detailing your multiple injuries is incomplete.

For example – an addendum medical report (updating report from a previously instructed medical expert) may be required.

Alternatively, a new medical report from an expert of a different discipline. For example – consider a psychological report to support medical evidence detailing physical injuries.

Summary & Next Steps

On this page you have seen how claim payouts for multiple injuries can be more or less than the sum of compensation payouts for individual injuries.

We recommend you see our compensation payouts index article. You will see compensation payout amounts for injuries to all manner of body part and psychological injury.

FREE Specialist Solicitor Help

We understand that accidents involving multiple injuries can be traumatic and lead to an erosion of confidence. We also understand the mistrust in the legal profession.

This is why we offer a free online and telephone solicitor help service. You can discuss your multiple injury claim direct with a solicitor, ask any questions you may have and have your claim assessed.