Claims Process
Personal Injury Claims Process Explained
In personal injury compensation claims there is a claims process. On this page we explain the claims process, and answer some of the most common questions about making a claim in a personal injury case.
Why Make A Claim?
If you have suffered injuries because of no fault of your own, a personal injury compensation award can help your physical and mental recovery and help make up for any financial loss. If you have been injured you might have lost salary, or your job; as well as suffering a range of expenses related to your injury (or illness).
How Common Is It To Make A Personal Injury Claim?
You are not alone. Around 2.5 million people in the UK sustain accidental injuries every year. As a result they may lose income or independence and face changes to their life. The fault may have rested with a driver of a vehicle, a public authority, e.g. a council or local authority or a hospital, or an employer or any other individual who caused the accident and the injury sustained. Under UK law liable parties must compensate injured persons for any loss.
Can I Make A Claim?
Yes, if you have experienced an accident in the last three years and it was not your fault you could be eligible to make a claim. The Personal Injury Bureau can help you find a local solicitor to assess your individual case. A solicitor will be able to advise you if it is possible to advance your compensation case towards a financial settlement.
What Next?
Contact a solicitor. The Personal Injury Bureau can help you find one. Personal injury solicitors are the professionals. A specialist in personal injury cases in your area of personal injury will be able ask all the relevant questions and make a professional assessment of your case.
What Will The Solicitor Do?
They will need information related to your case. This might include details of the injury, the location, time and date the injury occurred, witness information, employer safety records, and medical information as appropriate. If your solicitor determines that your case is viable they will proceed with the claims process, including contacting the defendant. In some cases they may be able to reach an early settlement without going to court. If the case goes to court your solicitor should be able to handle the claim for you without your need for attendance. Generally speaking, the solicitor will handle all important aspects of your case, including relevant paper work.
How Long Will It Take?
Clearly, the time it takes to complete a claim varies widely in individual circumstances and it may even be difficult to predict accurately on individual cases even when all the evidence is gathered. But, for example, a simple, clear cut case involving Public Liability Insurance could be settled in three months via an early settlement agreement. More serious cases, including for example complex medical claims involving clinical negligence, could take a lot longer, more than a year in some cases. It’s best to speak to a solicitor with specialist knowledge of your type of injury claim, who will advise you on the potential for an early settlement or otherwise.
How Much Will I Receive?
Compensation is based on the nature and amount of your personal injury; including the physical and mental suffering involved; loss of lifestyle and any other major impact on your life; and on expenses incurred, including loss of earnings, medical bills and anything from public transport costs to home improvement bills.
Payouts vary considerably. Personal injury cases can result in anything from hundreds and thousands to tens of thousands of pounds; and hundreds of thousands of pounds in some cases. Your solicitor will be happy to advise you on compensation claims for different types of injury, if you request it. In the meantime, some examples of typical awards can be found on the Personal Injury Bureau site.
