Q. I am an ambulance paramedic. The ambulance I was in was pulling up in traffic when it was struck from behind by a car. I was in the back of the ambulance looking after a patient and was thrown forward, receiving a heavy blow to my arm and jarring my back. Months later I am still in considerable pain and have been unable to return to work. Is the ambulance service liable for the accident or the driver of the car?

A. The driver of the car is liable and you should make a claim against him or her. It does not appear that the driver of the ambulance was in any way at fault and therefore you would not have a claim against your employer.

Compensation is awarded for pain, suffering and for earnings that you have lost as a result of the accident. Assessments will need to be made of your likely ability to return to work, or to find alternative work, when and at what level of pay.

The claim will be for your full loss of earnings either into the future - if the medical evidence is that you will not return to work at all - or to the date when it is estimated that you will return to work or get other employment. If you are able to return to some type of work, but the pay level is lower, you should be able to claim the difference.

• Rachel Sarfas is managing partner at Thompsons Solicitors