Objectives: This study was designed to test a proposed relationship between the total impact score (devised by the authors) and the quantum of damages in compensation received by victims of criminal and political violence. In so doing, the authors sought to develop a mathematical formula which could be used to quantify damages in a simple and expeditious manner.

Method: Data on 2,191 victims of violence was collated forming three databases of information, on the incident, on the victim and on the outcomes. A tool of measurement of the psychosocial impact of the traumatic event was designed (the Total Impact Score). Information on a subsample of the 208 survivors of attempted assassination was then selected and the TIS for each individual was calculated and examined for correlations with other variables including the quantum damages awarded.

Results: The TIS was shown to have validity as a measure of the psychosocial impact of a traumatic event upon an individual. The analysis showed a significant relationship between the TIS and quantum awarded. This relationship was used to generate a mathematical formula which could be used to calculate quantum damages in any case. Compensation = £500 × (10(0037t+0.059y) -1), where t is the TIS and y is the number of years after 1985.

Conclusions: The TIS can be taken as a valid tool for quantifying the psychosocial impact of a traumatic event or violent act. The tool consists of a checklist of readily ascertainable outcome variables each of which can be scored and a TIS calculated. From this score the amount of damages can be ascertained. The authors believe that this measurement tool represents a fair and equitable method of calculating a case's worth.