Accidents can happen at any time. Unfortunately, they can also cause injuries that significantly affect your health, work, and quality of life. When someone else’s negligence causes an injury, you may have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
In this article, we explain what personal injury claims are, the most common types of claims, how the legal process works, and what you should consider before taking action.
A personal injury claim is a legal process that allows an injured person to recover compensation when another party’s negligence has caused harm. These claims aim to support recovery by covering the physical, emotional, and financial impact of an injury.
Compensation may include:
Ultimately, the goal is to help you move forward with your life following an accident.
Personal injury claims can arise from many different situations. Below are some of the most common examples.
Road traffic accident claims involve injuries caused by the negligence of another road user. You may be able to claim compensation if you were injured as a:
These claims often relate to car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian collisions.
Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment. If you suffer an injury at work due to unsafe conditions, poor training, or faulty equipment, you may be entitled to make a workplace accident claim against your employer.
Public and occupiers’ liability claims arise when someone is injured in a public place or on private property. Common locations include:
In these cases, property owners or occupiers may be liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions.
Serious injury claims, sometimes referred to as catastrophic injury claims, involve injuries that have a long-term or life-changing impact. These injuries can affect not only the injured person but also their family.
Examples include:
Because of their complexity, these claims usually require specialist legal advice.
To begin a personal injury claim, it is advisable to consult a specialist solicitor. They can assess your case and explain the claims process clearly.
Your solicitor will help collect evidence to support your claim. This may include medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and financial documents.
Once the evidence is in place, your solicitor will send a formal letter of claim to the responsible party. This letter sets out how the accident occurred and the losses you have suffered.
The defendant’s insurer will respond to the claim. In many cases, negotiations lead to a fair settlement without the need for court proceedings.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your solicitor may issue court proceedings. Throughout this process, they will represent your interests and guide you at every stage.
In most personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. However, exceptions apply, particularly for children and protected parties.
Many personal injury claims are funded through no win, no fee agreements, also known as Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs). This means you usually do not pay legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful, although some disbursements may still apply.
Compensation depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and the financial losses you have suffered. Awards may cover medical costs, loss of income, rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering.
Personal injury claims provide a legal route to compensation when injuries occur because of someone else’s negligence. By understanding the claims process and seeking specialist legal advice, you can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our team has decades of combined experience handling personal injury claims. The NJS Law Personal Injury Specialists are sympathetic, supportive, and committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
If you would like to discuss your situation, please get in touch to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available by phone or email.
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