When you get injured in an accident, you may temporarily or even permanently be unable to perform your household tasks. These tasks could range from cleaning to grocery shopping. If someone else is liable for the accident, you are entitled to compensation for the help you engage or are offered by neighbours, family or friends. In this article, we explain how to claim this compensation and what to expect.

Entitlement to compensation for domestic help

After an accident for which someone else is liable, the other party is required to compensate for your injury. This compensation is intended to ensure that you remain as much as possible in the same situation as before the accident. If you are unable to perform household tasks on your own, you are entitled to a compensation for hiring domestic help. This also applies if friends, family or neighbours help you, even if you do not have to pay them. The necessity of help is what determines, not who provides the help.

How is the compensation calculated?

The amount of compensation for domestic help is determined based on the guidelines of The Personal Injury Council. This takes into account the degree of limitations caused by the injury and the share you had in household tasks before the accident. A percentage of 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% is then linked to the compensation, depending on the division of tasks within your household.

Compensations in 2024 for domestic help in case of injury:

• Light to moderately limited

  • Single person: € 82.00 per week
  • Two-person household: € 109.00 per week
  • Family with children younger than 5 years: € 205.00 per week
  • Family with children older than 5 years: € 177.00 per week

• Heavily limited

  • Single person: € 165.00 per week
  • Two-person household: € 218.00 per week
  • Family with children younger than 5 years: € 410.00 per week
  • Family with children older than 5 years: € 354.00 per week

These amounts apply to the first three months after the accident. After this period, it is reassessed whether you still need help and a compensation of € 11.50 per hour can be granted for a longer period.

Evidence and compensation without receipts

You don’t always have to hire a professional cleaner to qualify for compensation. Assistance from friends or family can also be compensated, even if you don’t have to submit receipts for this. The most important thing is that you demonstrate that the help was necessary due to your injury. For the first three months after the accident, a fixed compensation applies, regardless of whether you’ve actually hired someone.

Why seek legal help in case of injury?

In case of injury, it is often difficult to find out what you are entitled to on your own, especially when it comes to smaller damage items like domestic help. This is frequently overlooked. By hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer from Arslan Lawyers, you can be assured of the maximum compensation you are entitled to. We will handle the entire process for you and ensure that all damage items are compensated. Moreover, our legal costs are free for you, because the liable party also has to reimburse these costs.

If you have any questions about your right to compensation for domestic help, or would you like us to immediately take on your personal injury case? Please contact one of our personal injury lawyers. We are happy to help free of charge.