Below are examples of cases in which compensation for pain and suffering has been awarded.
Read more: Compensation for pain and suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering in pedestrian crossing accidents
- A young girl was hit in a pedestrian crossing on a December evening. The road section was well lit and the pedestrian crossing was clearly marked. She suffered a cut to the head that required stitches and sustained bruising. She experienced headaches for approximately two months after the accident, but thereafter had no further symptoms. She was awarded compensation for pain and suffering of NOK 15,000 by the insurance company. The insurance company also covered damage to personal belongings, medical and hospital expenses, as well as her legal costs.
- A secondary school student was hit in a pedestrian crossing on his way to school. He suffered a brain haemorrhage, fractures to the face and jaw, and a knee injury. He spent several days in hospital and was unable to complete upper secondary school after the accident. The driver was charged, and we represented the injured party as legal counsel during the court proceedings. The accident occurred in daylight, and there were no mitigating circumstances explaining why the driver failed to see the student. He was awarded compensation for pain and suffering of NOK 100,000. Due to the severity of his injuries, the district court appointed a legal counsel for the injured party, and the state covered all related costs.
- A pedestrian was struck by a car in a pedestrian crossing and sustained fractures to the lower leg and arm. The motorist’s conduct was assessed as grossly negligent, and we submitted a claim for compensation for pain and suffering to the driver’s insurance company. The injured party was awarded NOK 25,000 in compensation. In addition, he was compensated for expenses and loss of income related to delayed completion of education, including additional student loans and delayed entry into working life. In this case, we submitted the claim to the insurance company before criminal proceedings were scheduled, and the insurance company accepted the claim. Had the insurance company not accepted it, we would have pursued the claim as legal counsel during the criminal case.
- A 12‑year‑old girl was hit by an intoxicated driver in a pedestrian crossing. She suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, which required surgery. She was placed in a cast and later required a brace for a total of approximately seven weeks. She was awarded compensation for pain and suffering of NOK 40,000.
Compensation for pain and suffering following a vehicle leaving the road
An 18‑year‑old woman was a passenger in a car that ran off the road. She suffered a head injury and was hospitalised for several weeks. The driver was travelling at excessive speed and was under the influence of alcohol when the car left the road. The court found the driving to be grossly negligent, and she was awarded NOK 70,000 in compensation for pain and suffering.
Compensation for pain and suffering in cases of death in traffic accidents
A woman died in a head‑on collision where the driver of the other vehicle was travelling at excessive speed, crossed into the wrong lane, and was under the influence of medication. The court found the driver’s conduct to be grossly negligent, and the woman’s six children and cohabiting partner were each awarded compensation for pain and suffering of NOK 125,000.
