How do I make a personal injury claim?

Just call us on 0333 789 1231. Our specialists will assess the details of your claim and advise you whether you have a case. We’ll only advise you to start a claim if we believe you have grounds for doing so. If you decide to start your claim with us, our advisors will talk you through the next part of the process.

How long will it take for the claim to settle?

The length of the claim depends on the circumstances in which the incident took place and the extent of your injuries. There are many factors involved in how long a case will take. One of these factors is whether the third party admits responsibility for the incident.

Another factor is the severity of your injuries. For example, you may suffer a minor injury which you recover from after several months or a more serious injury that takes several years. The more severe the injury the longer it may take for the claim to settle.

How much will my claim settle for?

You can be compensated for general damages and special damages.
General damages is based on the severity of your injuries and the amount of compensation you’ll receive is for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The main factor that is taken in to account is the length of time taken to recover from the injuries. Every case is different, however we will be able to provide an estimate of the amount of general damages you’re likely to achieve.

Special damages is the amount of compensation you receive to cover any other losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident, for example travelling expenses, loss of earnings or any private treatments taken as a result of the accident.

The compensation you receive is also based on other factors such as any future losses that will be incurred due to your accident i.e. any future loss of earnings, future care costs, aid/equipment etc.

Do I have to pay legal costs?

No. If you have a claim arising from personal injury your case can be funded under a No Win No Fee agreement which is also known as a Conditional Fee agreement. This is usually signed by you and your solicitor at the start of your claim.

Can I get paid out before my case has settled?

Once liability has been established you can apply for early payments of your compensation. These are called interim payments. People who’ve suffered a serious injury can often suffer financial difficulties, for example if they’ve been unable to work or have had to pay for private treatment or rehabilitation costs. Interim payments can be applied for to cover these costs and form part of your overall claim. For example your claim settles for £5000 however you have received an interim payment of £2000 the final payment you will receive will be £3000.

Are there any time limits on making a personal injury claim?

The claim should be brought within three years of the date that the incident causing an injury or the date you were first aware that you had suffered an injury due to negligence. However additional time is given for claims where a child is injured. The 3 year time limit does not apply in such circumstances. Where a claim is being made on behalf of a child the 3 year time limit begins when the child turns 18 years old.

Will I have to go to court?

You may be required to go to court if your claim does not settle within the specified time limit however only a very small amount of cases are heard before a judge as a majority of our claims reach a settlement before a final hearing.

Will I need a medical examination?

You will be required to attend a medical examination with one of our instructed independent medical experts who will then prepare a medical report to conclude the severity of the injuries.

Can I make a personal injury claim if I was partly to blame for the accident?

You can still make a claim for compensation even though you are partly to blame for the incident as this will be reflected in your compensation payment i.e. if your claim settled for an overall figure of £10,000 but you were 50% to blame for this incident you would only receive compensation for 50%, you would therefore only receive £5,000.

How do I make a personal injury claim on my child’s behalf?

Anyone under the age of 18 cannot make a claim on their own behalf. A trusted adult, known as a litigation friend, can pursue the claim for the child. This can be a parent or guardian. The litigation friend cannot be anyone who was responsible for the accident.