[LAW FIRM NAME] — specialist personal injury and accident claim solicitors in Scotland.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always seek independent legal advice before taking any action. Editorial standards →
Quick answer
There is no fixed tariff for personal injury claims in Scotland. The value of your claim depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, your financial losses and your future needs. Your solicitor will give you an honest assessment — not a guaranteed or inflated figure.
How Compensation is Calculated in Scottish Personal Injury Claims
Compensation in Scottish personal injury cases is divided into two main categories:
General Damages (Solatium)
Solatium compensates you for the non-financial impact of your injury — pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The amount depends on the type and severity of your injury, the duration of your recovery and any permanent effects on your daily life and activities.
Scottish courts and legal practitioners use the Judicial College Guidelines and Scottish judicial precedent as reference points. For example:
- Minor whiplash with full recovery: typically a few thousand pounds
- Moderate back injury with some permanent symptoms: can be in the tens of thousands
- Severe brain or spinal injury: can reach six figures or more depending on severity
These are broad illustrations only — the actual value in your case will depend on the specific medical evidence.
Special Damages: Financial Losses
Special damages cover the financial losses you have suffered and will suffer in the future:
- Past loss of earnings — income lost while you were off work
- Future loss of earnings — if your injury affects your long-term earning capacity
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Care and assistance — professional or family care
- Travel costs to medical appointments
- Home adaptation costs
- Specialist equipment
- Pension loss
What Affects the Value of My Claim?
- The severity of your injuries and how long you are affected
- Your age — a younger claimant may have greater future losses
- Your occupation and earnings level
- Whether you were partly at fault (contributory negligence reduces compensation)
- The quality and strength of the medical evidence
- Whether liability is disputed or admitted
Be Realistic About Expectations
Any solicitor or claims service that promises a specific figure before seeing your medical evidence should be approached with caution. Compensation is assessed on the specific facts of each case — it cannot be guaranteed. Your solicitor will give you an honest range once the medical evidence is available.
