Personal Injury Claims
We have expertise in all types of personal injury claims including road traffic accidents, school and workplace injuries, accidents abroad, and military claims
An accident can have a devastating effect, not only on the injured person, but also on those close to them; sometimes changing lives forever. We know how daunting it can be to suddenly have to deal with hospitals, the police, insurance companies, or the courts. We can help you to manage this and support you through the process of bringing a claim to obtain much needed compensation.
Over the years we have acted for adults and children in personal injury cases involving many serious and complex injuries including:
- Brain Injury;
- Spinal Injury;
- Orthopaedic Injuries – e.g. broken legs and arms;
- Amputations;
- Polytrauma/multiple injuries;
- Scarring;
- Blindness;
- Psychiatric Injury including reactive depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Trauma from sexual abuse
We frequently achieve multi-million pound settlements for catastrophically injured people. For further information about compensation we have secured for clients who have suffered personal injury, see personal injury cases we have acted in.
Where we can help
Meet the team
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there time limits for bringing a personal injury claim?
There are strict time limits for bringing a personal injury claim in England and Wales. This is called the limitation period.
For adults, the usual rule is that a claim must be formally started at Court within three years of the date the accident or negligence occurred, or the date on which the injured person became aware that there might be grounds to bring a claim (if that date is later).
If a child is injured by negligence, they usually have until their 21st birthday to formally start their claim at Court.
Where the claim relates to someone’s death, the limitation period is three years from the date of death or from the ‘date of knowledge’ (if that is later).
There are circumstances in which the rules differ; for example, where the claim is for someone who does not have mental capacity to bring a legal claim.
The Courts also have the discretion to extend this time limit in certain circumstances. For example, this might occur in sexual abuse cases where someone has taken a long time to bring a claim.
Other types of claims have different deadlines. For example, claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 should usually be brought within one year of the date of breach of human right(s) or date of knowledge.
It takes time to investigate a claim, so you should contact our solicitors as soon as possible.
Can I bring a claim on behalf of a child or a family member who is not able to do it themselves?
If a claim relates to injuries suffered by a child or an adult who does not have ‘mental capacity’; a family member (or other trusted person) can act as a ‘Litigation Friend’ and bring the claim on their behalf.
If you are unsure about whether you can bring a claim on someone else’s behalf, we will be able to advise you.
What is the process for bringing a claim?
We start by obtaining evidence such as collision reports, CCTV, risk assessments, material prepared by the police or CPS, witness statements and expert evidence. This is used to prove that the accident was caused by negligence. If the cause of the accident is not clear, we may instruct an accident reconstruction expert to analyse the evidence and visit the accident scene or workplace.
We also calculate the amount of compensation that can be claimed. We often instruct experienced experts (for example in rehabilitative care) to maximise your level of compensation. We then try to reach a financial settlement with the Defendant (the individual or organisation legally responsible for your injury) or their insurer.
In some cases settlement is agreed at an early stage. In other circumstances, it may be necessary to begin Court proceedings.
Will my case be decided by the Court?
Probably not. The vast majority of personal injury claims are not decided by the Court.
Successful claims are usually resolved by settlement either before or during formal Court proceedings.
Occasionally, the Court will decide a case, if it cannot be resolved any other way.
How is the amount of compensation decided?
Compensation should be tailored to meet the needs of the injured person.
The first step is to consider how the injury has affected your life and whether that will change in the future. We then calculate the amount of funds required to meet your additional needs and compensate you. Depending upon the circumstances, this may include funds for:
- Private care
- Private therapies and medical treatment
- Prosthetics
- Specialist equipment and vehicles
- Adapted accommodation
- Support with education or work (if that is possible for you)
- Compensation for loss of earnings and pension
- Compensation for losses in self-employment
We regularly use leading experts and barristers to assist in identifying all aspects of an injured person’s needs.
I am struggling with the effects of my injury. Will it take a long time before my case is concluded?
Personal injury claims typically involve detailed investigation and expert evidence. They often take several years to resolve.
Our approach is to seek an admission of liability (i.e. confirmation that negligence occurred and caused injury) as early as possible in the process.
When liability is established, the Defendant usually has to make payment of part of the compensation immediately. This allows the injured person’s needs to begin to be met while the work to quantify the full amount of compensation continues.
Do you offer ‘no win, no fee’ agreements?
Conditional Fee Agreements (known as ‘no win, no fee’ agreements) are the most common way that the medical negligence and personal injury claims we undertake are funded. This gives clients the reassurance that they will not (in almost all cases) have to pay any legal costs in the event that they are not successful with a claim. We will explain all possible funding options with prospective clients.