From support to minor injury:

Ferzana continues to grow

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February 25, 2026

Some colleagues start in support services and gradually discover they want more: more expertise, more responsibility, and even closer contact with their clients. Ferzana is one such person. After years of experience in the personal injury sector and six years at Van der Toorn Personal Injury, she's now taking a new step: she's moving on to minor injury and simultaneously starting the associated training program. "I really wanted something for myself."

Growing at Van der Toorn Personal Injury starts with experience

Ferzana began her career in personal injury law in 2009 as a secretary. Without knowing exactly what the profession entailed, she entered the world of personal injury. She worked for several years at various organizations, including an expert assessment agency and a claims settlement firm, where she was involved in the commercial settlement of occupational illnesses.

"I started out without knowing exactly what personal injury was, but over the years I've seen it all. That continues to shape you."

At Van der Toorn Personal Injury, Ferzana started again in a supporting role. This role gave her great satisfaction and also laid the foundation for her next step. Ferzana indicated she was ready for something new.

“With everything I had built up through support, I was ready for the next step.”

Learning starts with daring

The step towards case management didn't happen overnight. In conversations with colleagues, including Ingrid, the topic came up more and more frequently. Doubts also arose: relearning, taking on training, and taking on a new role after years of experience is no small step.

"I really thought: I'm 44, can I still do this? But in the end, I decided: I'm just going to give it a try." This attitude aligned with Van der Toorn Personal Injury's approach to personal development.

"Take the time to learn it. Then we'll see together if it's right."

Learning in practice: minor injury training and guidance

Ferzana started the Minor Injury program in Utrecht, which she is taking with Ingrid. Ten days of training spread over six months, with a strong focus on legislation and practical case studies.

It's challenging. We have to know a lot of legal articles, even without books, but it's also very educational

In addition to her training, Ferzana receives intensive guidance in her practice. Along with experienced colleagues, she handles case files, listens in on intakes, and now even conducts interviews with clients herself.

"I've now drafted my first liability claims and am actively involved in handling cases. That inspires confidence."

Working at Van der Toorn Personal Injury: human contact is central

What Ferzana enjoys most about her new role is the direct contact with clients. The stories behind the files make all the difference for her. "Some people share their entire life story. Others might find that difficult, but I love it."

It's precisely that commitment that constitutes a key quality in my work as a personal injury claims handler. "Sometimes people just want to tell their story. Being able to take the time to do that feels incredibly valuable."

Step by step to 100% minor injury

Ferzana currently combines part of her duties with secretarial work. This is deliberate: new colleagues are being trained and tasks are being handed over carefully. However, the direction is clear.

“Once the secretariat is running smoothly, I will focus entirely on minor injuries.”

Together with colleagues and supervisors, she continues to develop her role, confident that growth doesn't have to be rushed. "I never thought I'd do this. But now I know: this is truly my style."

Your growth path at Van der Toorn Personal Injury

Ferzana's story shows that career advancement at Van der Toorn Personal Injury isn't a coincidence, but the result of trust, guidance, and opportunities to learn. Whether you're just starting out in support or already have experience, if you're looking to grow, we'll be there with you.

Do you also want to work in a team where development is a given and where you have the opportunity to forge your own path? View our vacancies or contact us . We'd be happy to tell you what your growth path could look like.

What customers ask

Is your help really free for me?

Absolutely, our help is truly FREE.

Your counterparty is also obligated to reimburse your legal costs (i.e., our firm's fees). This is stipulated by law (Section 6:96 of the Dutch Civil Code).

At Van der Toorn Personal Injury, you'll receive a written cost guarantee upfront with a clear explanation. This also clearly states what you can expect from us and what we can expect from you.

We guarantee that the liable party will reimburse our costs. If they don't, it's our business risk. You'll never receive a bill from us. We promise!

Still unsure? Just contact us. We'd be happy to explain how our cost guarantee works.

If you'd like to learn more about our FREE personal injury assistance, click here. Clarity is paramount!

When can I claim personal injury damages?

You can claim damages for personal injury if you have suffered an injury (been injured) due to the fault of another person

Personal injury can be caused by, for example:

In addition, you may think of injuries sustained during:

organized trip
unsafe product or
fall at someone else's home, in a shop or on the street

It's best not to wait too long to file a personal injury claim. It's best to do so immediately after the accident.

Even if it is not yet clear at that time what your injury and its financial consequences consist of.

However, someone else must liable and must have taken out liability insurance for this (AVP/AVB/WA).

However, even if you caused the accident yourself, you can sometimes still claim compensation for personal injury. For example, if you SVI (Passenger Injury Insurance) or SVO (Opzittende Inschadende).

Are you unsure whether and when you are entitled to personal injury compensation?

Don't hesitate to contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation. It's free , and you'll know exactly where you stand. Afterward, you can decide for yourself what to do with our advice.

What injuries do you treat?

We can actually help you with all types of personal injury

Van der Toorn Personal Injury can help you with all types of injuries. We specialize in handling "serious personal injuries," such as:

brain injury (ABI)
spinal cord injury
burns
dystrophy
bone fractures and
cosmetic injury.

But of course, we are also very happy to be there for you if someone else has sustained an injury. Such as neck injuries, whiplash, back injuries, bruises, sprains, dog bites, temporary injuries, and you name it.

We cannot help with all types of personal injury

The only thing we cannot help you with is personal injury caused by:

violence
medical errors and/or
situations of abuse.

In that situation, we will of course refer you to a party that is specialized in this.

Always request free, no-obligation advice on personal injury claims

Do you have questions about your personal injury? Or are you unsure if we're the right place for you?

Please do not hesitate to ask us for a complete and free, no-obligation personal injury claim consultation.

When should I contact you?

You don't have to! But it's in your best interest to contact us as soon as possible

Only then can you be certain that there is someone who thinks solely of your interests . Because that is our job: thinking of *your* interests.

But what is: as quickly as possible?

Sometimes an insurance company will contact you very shortly after the accident. They'll ask how you're doing and also ask for all sorts of other information.

You cannot know whether that insurer is asking “too many questions” from a legal perspective. About your health before the accident and which doctors you visited. You would rather avoid that, wouldn't you? So never wait too long to engage a personal injury firm.

It's also likely that you'll quickly incur significant expenses . Or your incomemay disappear. We'll handle the initial damage payments from the other party. Then you can focus on your recovery.

Would you like to know what's best for you? Don't hesitate to contact us , without obligation

We'll give you clear advice right away . Then you can decide for yourself what to do with it.

If we think we can help you, we will let you know right away.

At the same time, we guarantee that our legal assistance completely free of charge .

To learn more about our FREE personal injury assistance services, click here.

What personal injury compensation amounts am I entitled to?

The personal injury compensation amounts you are entitled to are:

Allowances for additional assistance, such as:

household help, shopping, taking children to school, etc.
help in the garden and
help with the maintenance and painting of your home.

In addition, your personal injury may have consequences for your income, such as:

income that is not fully paid (self-employed person, temporary worker, zero-hour contract, etc.)
no more irregular hours allowance
no longer being able to work overtime
missed promotions and
missed pension accrual

Finally, you can consider other equally important personal injury compensation amounts, such as:

Study delay
Reintegration costs for guidance to other work
Costs associated with admission to a hospital or rehabilitation center
Travel expenses
Medical expenses
Non-pecuniary damages
Economic vulnerability
Statutory interest
Furthermore, all costs that you would not have incurred without the accident…
For example, the wages you did not receive because you could not go to work.
Gasoline because you had to go to the hospital or the physiotherapist.
Medicines that were covered by your deductible.

In addition, you are always entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, also known as non-material damages.

This is compensation for "loss of enjoyment of life." Your damages should compensate you for your grief, pain, and anything else that might have made you less happy than before the accident.

Unfortunately, Dutch law is not generous in awarding damages for pain and suffering. Therefore, the amounts awarded in the Netherlands are not considered "fair enough.".

If you'd like to learn more about non-pecuniary damages, click here. If you'd like to learn more about personal injury damages, click here.

Calculating non-pecuniary damages

Calculating non-pecuniary damages:

You are always entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. This is the "non-pecuniary component" of your personal injury compensation.

What is non-pecuniary damages?

Pain and suffering compensation is not in itself a “hard legal term”. It is compensation for damage that cannot be expressed in monetary terms.

So, everything that doesn't fall under additional costs or lost income. It's essentially compensation for your "mental damage.".

How to calculate non-pecuniary damages

People often ask us at the very beginning of their personal injury case how much compensation they are entitled to.

That question is actually impossible to answer. And any personal injury lawyer who claims otherwise is mistaken.

When can you calculate my non-pecuniary damages?

Your compensation for pain and suffering can only be definitively determined at the end of your personal injury case.

Only then will it be known what psychological consequences your injury has had and/or will have for you.

Because it is the psychological consequences that largely determine your compensation for non-pecuniary damages.

Important factors in calculating non-pecuniary damages

Important factors for calculating your non-pecuniary damages include:

the nature of your injury
the severity of your injury
your age
your gender
your level of consciousness
whether you will have permanent scars and where those scars are located
whether you have physical limitations that affect your quality of life
how much pain have you suffered and continue to suffer
how long your recovery period was and
whether you have recovered at all or whether there is permanent damage.

Indication calculation of non-pecuniary damages:

We cannot predict exactly how much your compensation for non-pecuniary damages will be.

What we can do is give you a general indication of the amount of your compensation for pain and suffering.

If this sounds appealing, contact us today for a free, honest consultation. Afterward, you can decide for yourself what to do with it.

We are happy to help you calculate and claim your compensation for pain and suffering and other personal injury damages, such as your additional costs and lost income.

And if you choose our legal assistance, we guarantee you in writing in advance that our assistance will always FREE .

Calculating non-pecuniary damages? Ask for advice! We're happy to help. Want to know more about calculating non-pecuniary damages? Click here.

Professional, Quality and customer friendly

a relief that everything was arranged so well

Simona van Halsteren
Very accurate and committed.

I was taken seriously and felt heard. It's nice that when you contact them, the secretary speaks to you immediately and, if necessary, connects you to the lawyer. Short lines of communication!

M. Kregting
They think along really well

After a painful fall in an elevator, my ankle was still in a lot of pain, but luckily Van der Toorn was there to help me.

T. Hoek
Very expert help with my whiplash

Van der Toorn Personal Injury assisted me very discreetly at the time. The other party's insurer paid me compensation in no time.

Gert de Laan
Customer-friendly and expert. They take a lot of work off your hands, including the administration

As a result of an accident I needed legal assistance, Van der Toorn Personal Injury provided me with excellent support in settling the damage

P. de Jong
Everything was arranged perfectly.

Very satisfied.

John van Santen
Genuinely interested

With the help of Van der Toorn Personal Injury, I received a more than acceptable compensation. They are genuinely interested in their clients and go all out for the best possible results.

EHC Posthumus
Friendly, professional and fast action

I'm very satisfied with how the case was handled and handled, especially after my bad experience with my previous advocate. After our first meeting, we immediately felt good and regained confidence in a positive outcome

Lengers
Satisfied

Very friendly and professional service

Silwa
Good company with nice contact

It was nice that they handled all the hassle of my personal injury claim. I didn't have to chase anything up myself.

Aaron Verhoeven
Great

Very competent and neatly arranged everything for me

Lisa
I recommend this company

The process took a long time due to problems with the insurer, but I was kept well informed.

SW van Os
Pleasant experience

Unburdening, full service, professional and sincere.

Noud Wilders
Perfect service!

I was helped enormously by the sound advice. They acted very effectively and were very punctual. I hope I don't have to recommend a personal injury lawyer to anyone, but if I do, it will be this one!

Nicole Meulensteen
Good!

Clear, detailed explanations of the steps involved. Everything is discussed in advance. They're truly there for you!

Eveline
Very good

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Patience and expertise. Keep up the good work!

Anonymously
Really nice.

I never had to worry about financial compensation.

Helene van der Meer
that is very positive

Everything went smoothly. We had good contact and everything was explained clearly.

Verhoef
Human work. Well understood

My experience with the team at Van der Toorn has been truly excellent. They truly understand and stand by your side. Keep up the good work.

Maaike
Top

Professional, committed advisors and negotiators

John van Wichen
Good guidance from A to Z

Excellent guidance from start to finish. Initially, I had legal assistance from DAS. I wasn't satisfied with that, so I contacted Van der Toorn. I found your company to be very professional. I received excellent assistance.

L. Polderman