When someone suffers an injury in an accident, the impact can go far beyond physical pain or financial loss. “Loss of amenity” refers to the reduction in your quality of life, such as being unable to enjoy the hobbies, social activities or daily routines you once did.
Understanding loss of amenity is important for anyone thinking about making a personal injury claim, as it can significantly affect the compensation you’re awarded. Below, we explain what loss of amenity means, how it’s calculated, and how to prove it. We’ll also show how Injury Lawyers 4u can support you in claiming the compensation you deserve.
What is loss of amenity?
Loss of amenity refers to the reduction in your ability to enjoy life as a result of an injury. It covers the hobbies, activities, and everyday tasks that you can no longer do, or no longer enjoy in the same way, because of your injury or its lasting effects.
When you make a personal injury claim, compensation is typically split into two categories:
- Special damages cover the direct financial impact of your injury, such as lost income and medical costs.
- General damages account for the non-financial impact, like pain, suffering, and changes to your quality of life.
Loss of amenity falls under general damages. While it’s sometimes overlooked, it can make a significant difference to the compensation you receive. That’s why it’s important to understand how it works, whether you’re claiming for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.
How is loss of amenity calculated?
There’s no set formula for calculating loss of amenity. The amount awarded will depend on the specific details of your case, including:
- The severity and permanence of your injury: Severe injuries, especially those with lasting or life-long effects, are more likely to affect your daily life and lead to higher compensation.
- The impact on your hobbies, social life, and family responsibilities: If your injury stops you from doing the things you used to enjoy or makes it harder to spend time with family or take part in social events, this will be taken into account.
- Your age and lifestyle before the injury: Younger claimants or those with an active lifestyle may receive more compensation if their injury has significantly changed how they live.
For example, a regular cyclist who suffers a spinal injury and can no longer ride is likely to receive more than someone who wasn’t physically active before the accident.
You can use our compensation calculator to get a clearer idea of how much you might be entitled to.
How do you prove loss of amenity?
To claim compensation for loss of amenity, you’ll need to show how your injury has affected your daily life. This includes demonstrating how you can no longer enjoy the hobbies, activities or routines you once did. Useful evidence might include:
- Medical reports: These can confirm your diagnosis and outline any physical or psychological limitations caused by your injury.
- Witness statements: Friends, family, colleagues or others you used to spend time with can explain how your lifestyle has changed.
- Photographs or videos: Images of you taking part in past hobbies or activities can help show what you’ve lost.
- Personal diary or journal: Keeping notes about your day-to-day struggles, missed events and changes to your routine can help build a stronger case.
Strong and detailed evidence will strengthen your claim and increase the likelihood of securing fair compensation for loss of amenity. The earlier you gather this evidence, the better.
Examples of loss of amenity claims
Loss of amenity claims can cover a wide range of situations where a person’s lifestyle is affected by an injury. Some common examples include:
- A keen cook who can no longer prepare meals due to nerve damage in their hands
- A parent unable to lift or play with their child after a back injury
- A runner who is no longer able to take part in events due to a knee injury
- A musician who has stopped playing after experiencing hearing loss
Both physical and psychological injuries can result in loss of amenity. For instance, someone suffering from severe anxiety following an accident may no longer feel comfortable attending social events or enjoying activities they once loved.
How long do you have to claim for loss of amenity?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to make a personal injury claim, including for loss of amenity. There are, however, some exceptions:
- Children: If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, they have until their 21st birthday to bring a claim.
- Lack of mental capacity: If the injured person is unable to manage their own legal affairs, there may be no time limit until they regain capacity.
Because of these time limits, it’s best to seek legal advice as soon as possible. This gives your solicitor more time to gather evidence and build a strong case. You can also read more in our guide to personal injury claim deadlines.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help you claim compensation
Making a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. That’s where we come in. Working with an experienced legal advisor can remove the stress and improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we’ve spent decades helping people make successful personal injury claims, including those involving loss of amenity. We’ll support you through every step of the personal injury claims process, from helping you gather strong evidence to negotiating with a defendant’s insurer. With our no-win, no-fee service, there’s nothing to pay upfront. You’ll only pay us if your claim is successful.
Ready to start your claim? Contact us today
If you believe you’ve suffered loss of amenity due to an injury, Injury Lawyers 4u is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and expert legal guidance. Call us on 0333 400 4445 or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.