Compensation for pain and suffering: what counts?. General information.

Dutch smartengeld compensates non-material harm such as pain and lost enjoyment of life. Medical expenses and lost earnings are separate losses. An online figure does not establish your entitlement or provide an individual calculation.

Explain recovery time, limitations and daily activities. Describe what you could do before the incident and what changed afterwards. Record improvements too, so your account presents a complete picture.

Ask which circumstances and comparisons support an offer. Similar injuries can affect people differently. Compare duration, severity and personal circumstances, rather than judging only the final amount.

The Rotterdamse Schaal offers reference points for smartengeld. Rechtspraak describes category ranges and judicial freedom to depart with reasons. The scale cannot replace an individual assessment or guarantee a minimum or maximum.

Ask exactly what a proposal settles and whether future loss remains uncertain. Do not confuse your smartengeld with relatives' affectieschade or others' shockschade: different conditions apply. Read our guide and obtain expert assessment of a concrete settlement.

Read the full explanation and sources on our website. Obtain an assessment of which rules apply to your situation.