Pain and Suffering
3 Quick Facts about Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents
Motor accidents happen from time to time. Some of these accidents may result in injury to the parties. While the focus is often on drivers and passengers in vehicles, pedestrians may also be involved in motor accidents. In Australia, pedestrians are usually able to obtain compensation for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. These three quick facts are designed to provide a broad overview of the process and the compensation regime in place in NSW.
1. Pedestrians Can Claim Compensation
In NSW, pedestrians are covered under the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW). This means that pedestrians are eligible to receive an equal level of compensation as the other parties in the accident. It’s imperative to seek the advice of compensation lawyers in Sydney (or your local area) as quickly as possible if you’ve sustained any form of injury as a pedestrian in a motor accident to find out about your options.
Sometimes pedestrians who have been involved in road accidents may not be immediately aware of injury to their person, even serious injury that requires extensive physiotherapy further down the track. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a thorough medical check conducted immediately after the incident.
Quick Guide to Claiming for Pain and Suffering
Those who have been injured at work, due to someone else’s negligence, or in a motor vehicle accident are able to claim for pain and suffering. Many claimants are unaware that pain and suffering is usually a separate category of compensation to other compensation categories, for example, medical costs or wages forgone. If you have been injured and are seeking to claim for loss, it’s advisable to consult compensation lawyers in Sydney or in your local city as soon as possible for specific advice about your claim.
Claiming for Pain and Suffering under the Workers Compensation Scheme
Under s 67 of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), those who have been injured at work can claim for compensation for pain and suffering. Note that this pain and suffering is defined as that which arises from permanent impairment and not directly from the injury itself. Further, injured workers may be eligible for a lump sum payment for pain and suffering in addition to a lump sum for the permanent impairment itself.