Whiplash injuries are most commonly associated with road accidents. However, whiplash injury can be sustained in a wide variety of accidents, including falls and in connection with head injury.
What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury?
Whiplash is a condition which is used to describe injuries sustained when the ligaments and muscles in the neck and back are strained or over stretched. Whiplash injury usually affects the muscles and soft tissues of the neck, shoulder and back.
Symptoms include pain and stiffness and sometimes restricted movement in the neck, shoulder or back. Headaches are also common in accident victims suffering whiplash. The symptoms of whiplash do not always start immediately after an accident and can take a few hours or even days to develop.
How much compensation for whiplash?
The value of compensation awards for whiplash varies from case to case depending upon the severity of the injury.
The amount of compensation for a whiplash injury will depend upon which part of the body is affected: neck, back or both. Awards of compensation are therefore calculated on the basis of neck and back injuries. In most cases the award will range from around £750 for a very minor injury, to £6900 for injuries taking a up to 2 years to fully resolve. Each case is assessed on an individual basis so awards can vary significantly case by case.
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