What does general damages mean in personal injury?

Compensation for non-financial losses caused by an injury, including pain, suffering, loss of amenity, and reduced quality of life. In England and Wales, general damages are calculated using the Judicial College Guidelines; in Ireland, the Personal Injuries Guidelines. In US tort law these are typically called non-economic damages and may be subject to statutory caps.

Where does general damages apply?

General damages applies in: UK · Ireland · Canada · Australia. See the country pages for jurisdictional detail.

Is this legal advice?

No. This page describes the term as it appears in published authority and practitioner usage. For advice on your specific case, consult a solicitor or attorney qualified in your jurisdiction.

General damages — Personal Injury Glossary

★ where it applies

On these country pages.

The country pages spell out the local statute, the named authority, and the bands that interact with this term.

★ related terms

Common questions.

Quick answers, plain English.

What does general damages mean in personal injury?
Compensation for non-financial losses caused by an injury, including pain, suffering, loss of amenity, and reduced quality of life. In England and Wales, general damages are calculated using the Judicial College Guidelines; in Ireland, the Personal Injuries Guidelines. In US tort law these are typically called non-economic damages and may be subject to statutory caps.
Where does general damages apply?
General damages applies in: UK · Ireland · Canada · Australia. See the country pages for jurisdictional detail.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page describes the term as it appears in published authority and practitioner usage. For advice on your specific case, consult a solicitor or attorney qualified in your jurisdiction.

★ editorial note

This entry describes the term as it appears in published authority and practitioner usage. Nothing on this page is legal advice. For your specific case, consult a solicitor or attorney qualified in your jurisdiction. See /methodology for how we derive figures elsewhere on the site, /sources for the standing authority list, and /disclaimer for the scope statement.

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General damages

What it means in practice.