​​Compensation for Seri​ous Injuries

​​​Serious Injury claims can affect your employment opportunities, family, and your overall quality of life, which is why it is important to ensure you have the right legal team supporting you and looking after your wellbeing, as it is difficult to handle a claim on your own.

Our solicitors can help you through all the ins and outs of your claim and ensure that you understand all steps of the process.

We have a number of pages that provide information on specific topics such as; Bereavement assistance, welfare benefits, rehabilitation and house adaptations.

If there are any areas of interest that we have not covered; we are more than happy to assist you over the phone or online. Contact us on ​0808 164 9153 for more information.

How do I Start a Serious Injury Claim?

Before you start your claim, contact our team on ​0808 164 9153, or online, for an obligation free, initial consultation. We take the time to go over the events that lead to your injury and once we have reviewed the information you have provided, we then determine whether you have a case. We then commence our investigation, gather supporting witness accounts as well as contact any relevant insurance providers regarding your injury.

What Steps are involved in the Claims Process?

The first step is determining whether your case could potentially be successful. The success is varied and depends on the complexity of the case. We are capable of handling complex claims and are in the position to offer assistance even if you have been rejected by other solicitors.

Once we decide to take on your case, we then determine who is responsible for the accident or injury. More often than not, it can be more than one person to take responsibility over the accident and in such situations, both parties are required to share the responsibility.

We make use our internal investigators, together with external qualified agents to inspect the accident and prepare reports. If we are examining a road accident for example, then we would require reports from our accident reconstruction experts, and for work related injuries on the other hand, we would contact an occupational health and safety consultant for reports.

These reports are used to determine the parties responsible for the injury, and further contact independent experts within medical, transport, care, accommodation and employment fields, to determine the amounts of compensation we believe you are entitled to receive.

Once we have collected and finalized all the supporting documents, we contact the insurance providers for a meeting to discuss the claim, and the possibility to settle the case outside court. This is becoming an increasingly used method to resolve injury claims.

If there is no agreement on the value claimed with the insurance providers, then the case might have to be presented in court for a judge to assess who is to blame. Representation by our highly qualified and experienced solicitors is important, because your case is more than likely to conclude before it goes to trial.

I am Entitled to a No Win No Fee Agreement?

A no win no fee agreement is a conditional arrangement that ensures that you do not pay any upfront fees to your solicitor when making your claim.

If your case is won, then an agreed upon amount goes to cover your legal costs, and the defendant of the claim is more likely to pay most of the fees. If your case isn’t successful, then the costs you have incurred are then covered by an insurance provider. Usually your lawyer takes out an insurance policy on your behalf for the case, and they ensure it covers any costs of the claim.

What is the Duration for a Claim?

Each claim is different in terms of complexity; however, the time to settle the case usually depends on your recovery. It can be quite difficult to carry on with your life, until you case is completed, which is why we intend to work efficiently to ensure your claim is settled as quickly as possible.

If you have a serious injury, it’s worth it wait until we have determined the true nature of your injuries before making any claim. This ensures that the amount you are claiming, covers your long terms requirements. More often than not, this may mean that the claim process would take a few years to be finalized. However, we provide you an estimate of the timeline to complete your claim, as well as keep you updated as your case progresses.

As your case is ongoing, we would also secure provisional compensation payments to help you cover any costs such as medical and rehabilitation bills, which you are likely to incur as the claim continues.

How much Money am I likely to Receive?

The amount you receive depends on your injuries as well as the effect of the injuries on your livelihood. If the injuries are serious then you are more likely to receive a higher compensation based on the costs to cover medical bills, any loss of earnings, even renovations to your home to fit your new lifestyle.

Personal injuries are usually divided into two categories; general damages and special damages.

General damages covers money received for the pain, suffering and the inability to perform certain functions. These claims are usually calculated based on previous cases where the claims are somewhat similar to yours. Special damages on the other hand, is more significant as it mainly covers financial losses such as lost profits or lost wages, surgery and medical expenses as well as the loss of irreplaceable items.

Is there a Maximum or Minimum Time Period to Submit a Claim?

At the moment, adults have up to three years from the date of their accident to start a claim, while children have the same three year limit; however, it only starts once they turn 18.

There is no time frame for people that have suffered serious brain injury, or people that are not mentally fit to make decisions as a result of injury.

If the claimant has passed away, then the family has three years to make a claim, starting from the date of passing.

It’s important to note that injuries outside the UK may have shorter time periods. Also, the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme for example, has a two year limit.

You are in a better position if you contact a solicitor as soon as the injury occurs, as we can gather evidence, contact witnesses and get statements before the events of the injury become difficult to remember.

If you are in doubt or have any questions, please contact one of our specialist legal advisers on ​0808 164 9153 or online.

Is my Case going to Court?

This is determined based on the accident and the injuries you have sustained. Some cases end up going to court, mainly because both parties fail to agree on the compensation amount, or they fail to agree on who is to take blame. However, most cases do not get to this point as the idea of court proceedings tends to scare the defendant into a settlement offer.

If an agreement can’t be reached, then the case is most likely to be presented in court before a judge, who then decides who is to blame for the accident together with the extent of their liability. It’s important to note that even if we issue court proceedings, more often than not, settlement is achieved before the court hearing date.

Do I have to book any Medical Appointments?

For us to determine the reasonable value that you can claim, it is recommended that you attend medical appointments with independent specialists. Some of the medical appointments are to be arranged by our team, and others might be arranged by the defendant of the claim.

Our aim is to reduce the number for appointments you are required to attend. We do this by ensuring you attend all essential appointments that are relevant to your claim. Our client relationship managers are happy to assist in arranging appointments, organizing transport and even attending the appointments if you require accompaniment.

We want to ensure that these appointments cause as little disruptions to you as possible.

I have a loved one that has died, can I still make a claim?

If your loved one has died as a result of negligence on someone else’s part, then yes, you should be able to make a claim.

If the primary caretaker of a family has been killed in an accident relating to their work for example, then as their partner, you can submit a claim seeking compensation that takes into account the loss of earnings. This could greatly help and make you less stressed out in terms of finance, especially after such an event. If you would like to know more information on the services and support we offer, please feel free to contact us online or over the phone on ​0808 164 9153. Alternatively, you can also visit our bereavement page for more information.

Who am I Claiming the Compensation from?

Most claims are submitted against insurance companies as they tend to provide covers for all situations such as drivers, businesses, homes as well as hospitals.

Sometimes insurance providers may be difficult during the claims process, and they tend to aggressively defend themselves against any claims, as they would like to avoid responsibility.

With our experienced team of solicitors, we ensure that your best interests are taken into account. We have extensive knowledge, experience, and a proven track record when it comes to dealing with complex cases against insurance providers.

Can I make a Claim if my Employer was at Fault?

Your employer is legally required to maintain your safety at work, and also prevent the likelihood of any injuries or danger at work. If there are no occupational safety measures in place to prevent injuries, then the consequences can be devastating for their workers and the business itself.

Before worrying about causing damage to a business, keep in mind that most businesses already have insurance policies that cover legal costs and proceedings in the event of an injury. If you would like to know more information about workplace injury claim, kindly visit our workplace injury page.

Am I likely to be Fired by my Employer for Submitting a Claim against them?

Any claims you submit to your employer are considered separate from your work life, and should not affect your rights to work for your employer. It is illegal for an employer to fire you for submitting a claim. If you are worried about the security of your job because of a claim, then please contact our employment law team on 0808 164 9153 for a consultation. The team is dedicated to advise you on your work rights while making a claim against your employer.

Am I Eligible for Legal Aid?

At the moment, we are only able to accept Legal aid cases for medical negligence relating to neurological birth injuries.

If you are strapped for cash, you could agree to a no win no fee agreement, where the costs and legal fees are taken out of your compensation once the claim has settled.

Another option would be to review your current insurance policies, as some may offer to cover legal costs.

Contact us online or via phone on ​0808 164 9153 with more information on your potential claim, and we are more than happy to provide a free initial consultation.