Mapping out your damage

Why we map out all your damage

In a personal injury case, everything revolves around one central principle: you are entitled to full compensation. This means that you must be placed as much as possible in the financial situation as if the accident had never occurred. To achieve this, all damages be accurately assessed. Not only the costs you are already incurring today, but also the damages you can expect in the future. After all, damages that are not claimed will not be reimbursed.

We compile all these items in a so-called statement of claim: a clear document in which every item of damage is listed with supporting documentation. This statement of claim forms the basis for negotiations with the liable party and their insurer. The more complete and better substantiated this overview is, the stronger your position. After all, an insurer will not spontaneously offer to reimburse a forgotten item.

Experience shows that many people initially underestimate their losses. They think of direct costs, such as a deductible or a few trips to the hospital, but forget the less visible consequences: the extra hours a partner puts into household chores, a promotion that falls through, or a hobby they can no longer pursue. That is precisely where we make the difference, because we know exactly what to ask about.

The law provides a solid basis for this. Pursuant to Article 6:96 of the Dutch Civil Code, reasonable costs incurred in determining damage and liability are also eligible for reimbursement. That is why our assistance is 100% free of charge: these costs are borne by the liable insurer. You therefore always keep 100% of your compensation and will never receive a bill from us.

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Material damage items

Material damage is all damage that can be expressed in monetary terms. These are the concrete costs and loss of income that result directly from your injury. They can often be well substantiated with evidence. We have listed the most common items for you.

Medical expenses and deductible

Consider your mandatory deductible, co-payments for medicines, physiotherapy, medical aids, and treatments that your health insurance does not (fully) reimburse. Costs for psychological support, rehabilitation, and adapted nutrition may also fall under this. It concerns all medical costs that you would not have incurred without the accident.

Loss of income and earning capacity

Are you temporarily or permanently unable to work, or able to work less? Then you are entitled to compensation for your lost income, including lost holiday pay, year-end bonus, and pension accrual. In the case of permanent injury, we also consider loss of earning capacity: the income you will miss out on in the future because you can no longer earn the same amount as before. For self-employed individuals, we calculate lost turnover and profit, and take into account assignments you have had to decline.

Domestic help and care

If your injury prevents you from (fully) performing household chores, the help you need is eligible for reimbursement — even if family or friends provide that help free of charge. The law recognizes that this help has an economic value. The same applies to personal care that you can no longer perform yourself.

Other costs

• Travel expenses for visits to doctors, practitioners, and your advocate;
• Modifications to your home or car in the event of permanent injury;
• Study delay, because accumulated delays lead to loss of income later on;
• damage to clothing, glasses, phone or other personal belongings;
• costs for extra childcare or informal care that you temporarily need.

Non-material damage: compensation for pain and suffering

In addition to damage that can be expressed in monetary terms, there is also damage that is not so easily captured in that way. We call this non-material damage. It concerns the pain, the grief, the loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the injury has on your life. The compensation for this is called pain and suffering.

The amount of compensation for pain and suffering depends on many factors: the nature and severity of your injury, the duration of your recovery, whether there are permanent consequences, and the extent to which the accident has affected your daily life, your work, and your relationships. Your age also plays a role, as permanent injury at a young age affects you for many years to come. No two cases are the same, which is why we always carefully examine your personal situation.

We substantiate the amount with medical information and comparable court rulings, so that the insurer cannot simply ignore it. It is important that you are taken seriously in this matter: compensation for pain and suffering is not a luxury, but an acknowledgment of the suffering inflicted upon you. We ensure that your story receives the attention it deserves.

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Future damage

A common mistake is looking only at the here and now. However, an injury can have consequences for years—sometimes for a lifetime. That is why we also future damages . If you conclude a case with a final settlement, it is in principle definitive. You usually cannot reclaim damages that you still have in five or ten years.

Regarding future damages, we consider permanent loss of earning capacity, recurring medical expenses, long-term domestic help, pension losses, and the need for home modifications. We make a careful assessment based on medical prognoses and, where necessary, with the assistance of a labor expert or actuary who projects the damages far into the future.

Sometimes the final medical situation has not yet been reached and it remains unclear how your recovery is progressing. In that case, it may be wise to request an advance payment and postpone the final settlement, or to make arrangements for a possible reopening in the event of deterioration. This way, we prevent you from being left with uncompensated damages later on and take uncertainties regarding your recovery into account.

What can you keep track of?

You can do a lot yourself to strengthen your case. The better the damage is documented, the more smoothly and convincingly we can claim compensation. Reconstructing evidence after the fact is difficult, so it is best to start as early as possible. A few practical tips:

• Keep all your receipts and invoices for medical expenses, travel, aids, and adaptations;
• Keep a logbook in which you note how you feel, what symptoms you have, and which activities you can no longer do;
• record the hours of help others provide you with household chores or personal care, including the date and who provided it;
• Record missed workdays, cancelled appointments, and missed opportunities;
• Where possible, take photos of your injuries and damaged belongings.

Are you worried that you have forgotten something? No problem. During a personal meeting, we will go through everything with you and fill in the missing pieces together. You really don't have to do it all perfectly — we will help you on your way. Read more about our approach on the working method.

From statement of claim to compensation

As soon as all items are complete and substantiated, we summarize them in the statement of claim. We submit this document to the liable insurer, and it forms the basis for the negotiations. Your dedicated contact person conducts these discussions on your behalf and keeps you informed every step of the way, in plain language and without complicated jargon.

During the process, we can request advances from the insurer to ensure you do not face financial difficulties while the case is ongoing. Only when we have an accurate and complete picture of your total damages do we aim for a final settlement. We will not allow ourselves to be pressured by an initial offer that is too low.

We are affiliated with the NIVRE, the NKL , and De Letselschade Raad, ensuring you receive expert and reliable representation. And once again: it costs you nothing. You keep 100% of your compensation and will never receive a bill.

Would you like to know what your damage could be worth? Make a no-obligation appointment or contact us. We will call you back the same working day and, if desired, visit you at home, wherever you live in the Netherlands.