You may be forced to take time off work if you have been injured in a work accident. This could mean losing out on weeks, months, and possibly years of potential earnings. Any compensation payout will cover loss of wages since the accident, and any future loss of earnings if you are unable to return to work due to the impact of your injuries. This money will be paid out on a successful claim as part of “special damages”.
Special damages, along with general damages, are combined to make up the compensation awarded for a personal injury. General damages are paid in respect to the actual injury itself, covering pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special damages specifically cover financial expenses incurred as a result of an injury, such as loss of earnings, medical costs, travel arrangements, and so on.