Generally speaking, we make a distinction between three types of damage as a result of an injury.

• First, there is direct damage that involves the additional costs incurred as a result of the accident and the extra expenses during the initial period of treatment and recovery. This might include the loss of personal items resulting from the accident such as clothing, jewelry and eyeglasses, but also the costs of medical treatment, transportation to the hospital, a wheelchair or crutches and other aids that are not reimbursed by insurance.
• The second category is consequential damage, which may persist for longer periods of time and is possibly even permanent. This includes loss of income, or the difference between the salary that was being earned and the WIA benefit (benefit received under the Work and Income [Capacity for Work] Act) awarded as a result of being declared unfit for work. It could also involve the costs of extra help around the house, the costs of medical or other aids that will be needed on a permanent basis, costs of making modifications to a home, car and so on.
• The last category is compensation for pain and suffering, or compensation for non-economic damage. This is more or less symbolic compensation for the pain, distress, emotions, scars and the like that have resulted from the injuries. It is compensation that is never in realistic proportion to the actual suffering caused, the so-called “Band-aid on a gaping wound” solution. And yet, it is still very important to pay serious attention to this damage component.