Damages paid as a result of a personal injury claim generally fall into two categories:

• general damages compensate you for the suffering and pain which resulted from your injury
• special damages compensate you for monies lost and expenses incurred as a result of receiving your injury

There is more detail on types of damages in our available damages section.

Keeping records

To properly claim the special damages duie to you it is important you keep proper records of all expenses incurred now and in the future as a result of your injury. It's a good idea to keep a claim diary to record all your losses and your expenses incurred.

Expenses can include:

• expenses which would not have been incurred had the accident not taken place;
• the cost of items lost or damaged in an accident;
• loss of earnings (calculated net of tax and National Insurance), including overtime, bonuses and loss of promotion prospects (known as damages for "lost chance");
• cost of care (amount paid to carers but also including a notional sum for care provided free-of-charge by a friend or relative - although this is usually awarded at a lower figure than that which can be claimed for "commercial" care);
• cost of accommodation (for example in adapting a house for a disability);
• cost of special aids and equipment;
• travel costs (including hospital visits and those of relatives visiting the claimant in hospital);
• household costs (such as increased heating used as a result of the claimant being confined to the house);
• medical costs (including those for private treatment).

Keep receipts, payslips and detailed records of the dates that expenses were incurred, why they were incurred and how much they cost. Make sure you record all your expenses. Your solicitor will advise you later whether the costs can be claimed.

If you need immediate assistance or further advice, contact injurywatch's free legal advice service  on 0800 066 99 07. There is no cost and no obligation.