[5 concepts of disability]

Disablement is a measure indicating how the individual manages or does not manage to cope with the tasks life presents. Different concepts of disablement are applied: Tabular disablement is used to measure the physical resources needed by the individual to undertake an unspecified register of tasks. Medical disablement is a measure of the aggregate resources (physical, mental and social) needed by the individual to undertake an unspecified register of tasks. Occupational disablement is a measure of the aggregate resources needed by the individual to carry out his previous occupation. Economic disablement is a measure of the aggregate resources needed by the individual to carry out some kind of work for which he is fit. Social disablement is a measure of the aggregate resources needed by the individual to maintain contact with other people. The tabular and medical concepts of disablement are used in connection with compensation for non-pecuniary loss. Insurance companies and administrative bodies, when determining the amount of compensation for such losses, lay most of the emphasis on tabular disablement (accident insurance and industrial injury compensation). The courts, when assessing the compensation, attach the main weight to the concept of medical disablement (compensation for non-pecuniary loss). The insurance companies and the administrative bodies have a system that is quite easy to operate, whereas the courts have a system leaving considerable room for discretion. The concepts of occupational and the economic disablement are used when granting compensation for loss of income.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)