GermanyWhat damages can I claim for personal injury?
You can claim compensation for medical costs, lost earnings, reduced earning capacity (via annuity or lump sum), household assistance, and pain and suffering — all aimed at restoring the financial position you would have been in had the injury not occurred.
What the Law Says
German law provides a comprehensive framework for personal injury compensation, focused on restoring the injured person’s financial position as if the harm had never occurred. The rules apply whether the injury resulted from negligence, intentional acts, or strict liability.
Under BGB § 249, the core principle is *natural restitution* — the liable party must restore the situation that would have existed without the harmful event. If physical restoration isn’t possible (e.g., permanent disability), the injured person may claim the necessary monetary amount instead.
BGB § 842 expands this specifically for bodily injury: it covers not only immediate medical expenses but also long-term disadvantages affecting the victim’s ability to earn income or advance professionally — including career setbacks, retraining needs, or early retirement.
BGB § 843 governs compensation for lasting impairment of earning capacity. If health or bodily integrity is harmed so that work ability is reduced or eliminated, the injured person is entitled to a lifelong annuity (Geldrente). A lump-sum capital payment is allowed only if there’s a 'weighty reason' (e.g., imminent emigration or insolvency risk of the liable party).
Statutory TextWer zum Schadensersatz verpflichtet ist, hat den Zustand herzustellen, der bestehen würde, wenn der zum Ersatz verpflichtende Umstand nicht eingetreten wäre.
— BGB § 249 — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDie Verpflichtung zum Schadensersatz wegen einer gegen die Person gerichteten unerlaubten Handlung erstreckt sich auf die Nachteile, welche die Handlung für den Erwerb oder das Fortkommen des Verletzten herbeiführt.
— BGB § 842 — German Civil Code
Statutory TextWird infolge einer Verletzung des Körpers oder der Gesundheit die Erwerbsfähigkeit des Verletzten aufgehoben oder gemindert oder tritt eine Vermehrung seiner Bedürfnisse ein, so ist dem Verletzten durch Entrichtung einer Geldrente Schadensersatz zu leisten.
— BGB § 843 — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts interpret these statutes strictly but flexibly, ensuring victims receive full and realistic compensation — especially for invisible or long-term harms like lost household capacity or future wage loss.
Confirmed that all medically necessary treatments — including rehabilitation, assistive devices, and psychological care — are recoverable if causally linked to the injury; also upheld inclusion of ancillary costs like travel to therapy and home modifications.
Recognized ‘household damage’ (Haushaltsfuehrungsschaden) as compensable even for non-working victims: homemaker victims may claim the market hourly rate for professional domestic help, calculated over the expected duration of impairment.
What to Do
Seek immediate medical documentation and retain all receipts for treatment, medications, travel, and assistive aids.
Obtain a certified medical expert opinion assessing permanent impairment, work capacity reduction, and need for future care.
Calculate lost earnings (past and projected) using tax returns, employer statements, and actuarial tables for annuity valuation.
File your claim within 3 years of becoming aware of both the injury and the liable party (standard limitation under § 195 BGB).
Sources
Related Questions
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
UK
Australia
Canada
Japan
South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.