Personal injury claims
If you’ve been injured in an accident in the last three years that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Contact our specialist no win no fee solicitors today to discuss your claim.
The most important things to remember when claiming for personal injury compensation
- You may be eligible to make a personal injury claim if you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and was caused by someone else’s negligence
- The amount of compensation you may be able to claim for personal injury will depend on the part of your body you have injured, the severity of your injuries and the effect they have had on your life
- In most cases, you can start your claim up to three years from the date of the accident, the date you became aware of your injuries, or the date a medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start a personal injury claim
Get the best legal team on your side
- Over 1,000 years of combined legal expertise
- We’ll get you more compensation than anyone else
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* Where applicable
When can I make a personal injury claim?
You may be eligible to make a personal injury claim if you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and was caused by someone else’s negligence.
In some cases, you may be able to claim for personal injury if you were partly responsible for the accident that caused your injuries.
You have up to three years from the date of the accident to start your claim.
How much compensation can I receive for a personal injury claim?
The amount of compensation you may be able to claim for personal injury will depend on the part of your body you have injured, the severity of your injuries and the effect they have had on your life.
How is compensation calculated for a personal injury claim?
Compensation amounts for personal injuries are calculated by combining the compensation you may be legally entitled to for both general and special damages.
General damages amounts relate to the severity of your injuries, while special damages relate to the effects the injuries may have on your life.
The Judicial College Guidelines from the Ministry of Justice provide guidance on the amount of compensation you can claim for general damages. These amounts relate to the part of the body injured, how severe the injury is, and if any ongoing symptoms may develop.
You’ll claim more with us.
We have recovered an additional £21.2m more in compensation for clients who switched to us from their previous firm.
Contact us now to discover the real value of your claim.
Personal injury compensation claims calculator
Our personal injury claims calculator below will give you an approximate amount of compensation you may be able to claim.
The calculator considers the part of your body you have injured and the severity of your injuries and provides an approximate compensation amount based on recent case law and the Judicial College Guidelines.
Alternatively, see our table of personal injury compensation amounts at the bottom of this page for compensation amounts related to your injury.
Find out how much you could claim
Compensation amounts are estimated based on the level of injury below
Claiming compensation for special damages for personal injury claims
In addition to the amount you can claim for general damages, you can claim for expenses you may have incurred or will incur in the future, known as special damages.
The amount of special damages you may be able to claim is particularly important for those who have suffered severe injuries, as they may need extended medical assistance, specialist equipment and adaptations made to their home.
Claims for special damages could include, but may not be limited to:
- Any loss of income or pension
- Any costs associated with your rehabilitation or ongoing medical treatment
- Any costs related to adaptations you may need to make to your home
- Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if a family member or friend provides this
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred
Our specialist personal injury claims solicitors recognise that no amount of money can make up for what you may have suffered, so we take the utmost care and consideration into ensuring you are compensated correctly in relation to the severity of your injuries, the effects they have had on your life, as well as your loss of earnings and changes to your lifestyle.
How much personal injury compensation can I claim?
How long after an accident can I make a personal injury compensation claim?
In most cases, the personal injury claim time limit is three years.
You will have a legal right to claim up to three years from the date of the accident, the date you became aware of your injuries, or the date a medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start a personal injury claim.
However, there are some exceptions to the standard time limit.
The three-year time limit does not apply if the injured person is mentally incapacitated. It will only begin if they regain mental capacity.
If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, you can start your claim up to three years after your 18th birthday or have a responsible adult (a ‘litigation friend) represent you.
You have two years to claim if your injuries were caused by an assault.
For accidents abroad or on holiday, time limits may vary by country and, in most cases, are shorter than in the United Kingdom.
We recommend you start your personal injury claim as soon after your accident as possible, as we have the best chance of collecting all the evidence we need to present the strongest case.
What types of accidents and injuries can I make a personal injury claim for?
Our specialist personal injury claims solicitors have over two decades of experience successfully claiming compensation on behalf of thousands of people injured in accidents through no fault of their own.
A personal injury compensation claim can be made in any instance where your safety was the responsibility of someone else and that duty of care was compromised, leading to you sustaining injuries. However, in the majority of cases, the most common personal injury claims include:
- Accident at work claims, including industrial deafness and industrial disease claims
- Road traffic accident claims, including car accidents, cycling accident claims, and accidents involving pedestrians
- Public liability claims, including slips, trips and falls, child injury claims, and sporting accidents
- Medical negligence claims, including medical misdiagnosis, surgical negligence, and claims against the NHS
Many personal injury claims are brought after a person has suffered serious injuries, including injuries that can have a life-changing effect, such as:
What our clients say
Can I make a no win no fee personal injury claim?
Yes. Our personal injury compensation claims are provided on a no win, no fee basis.
No win no fee agreements are also known as Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA). This agreement means that there is only a fee on the condition that your claim is successful. The fee amount will be agreed upon when you enter into the agreement at the start of the claim process.
It means you are safe to pursue a compensation claim, knowing you have no financial risk if it’s unsuccessful.
When a no win no fee agreement is set up, your solicitor will take an insurance policy out on your behalf. The policy covers any costs incurred relating to your claim. These costs could include legal fees, medical reports, court, and other expenses.
The insurance policy, known as after-the-event insurance, fully protects the person claiming if the claim is unsuccessful and from any costs during the compensation claim process, meaning you can claim without paying a penny.
With over 1,000 years of combined legal expertise, we win cases that other firms can not. Get in touch today with our team of no win no fee solicitors who are waiting to offer you legal support and advice. We provide unlimited legal advice at the outset of all claims, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
We understand the financial impact of an accident.
In 99% of cases, we recovered more compensation than the insurer’s first offer. We’ll provide financial security with our interim payments wherever possible, meaning you don’t need to rush into an offer that is lower than you’re legally entitled to.
What information do I need to provide to start a personal injury claim?
To build the strongest case for you to claim compensation, we will need to prove that your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence.
When you contact us, You’ll receive free, unlimited legal advice, and we’ll ask you for some information about how your accident happened.
The more information you can provide, the better we can advise you of your rights and how much compensation you may be able to claim.
We may ask some of the following questions;
- Where and when the accident took place
- The injuries you’ve suffered as a result of the accident
- Who may have been at fault for the accident
- Any reports of the accident that were made
- If you have any of the following (if applicable) witness statements, accident reports, photographs, police reports or CCTV of the accident scene
- What medical treatment you’ve received, and when you received it
- If you have medical reports
- What injuries and pain you’ve suffered, and are still suffering
- The amount of time you’ve had to take off work
- The amount of loss of earnings you may have incurred
- Any adaptations you’ve had to make to your daily life, home and routines
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information. Our experienced solicitors can help in collecting this information for you.
What is the personal injury claims process?
Making a personal injury claim can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. Our experienced team of solicitors will ensure you’re in safe hands and will advise you of your legal rights every step of the way.
The process for making a personal injury compensation claim is broadly defined into five stages:
- Assessment of who is responsible
- Gathering evidence
- Claim submission
- Negotiation
- Settlement and payment
Assessment of liability
Based on the information you can provide, we will determine if you have a legal right to claim for compensation. This will include working out who is responsible for your injuries.
In many cases, the claim won’t be made against a person or a company that was responsible for the accident but against their insurers.
Gathering evidence to support your claim
In addition to the information you have provided, we will look to collect as much evidence to support your claim.
Such evidence could include documenting witness statements and compiling evidence such as photos, videos or accident reports. In some cases, a specialist may visit the accident scene to provide expert opinion.
Additionally, we will document your medical records and arrange a medical appointment for you with an independent expert medical expert so they can prepare a medical report on your injuries. We may also be able to arrange any treatment you require, such as physiotherapy.
Claim submission
When we have enough information, we will notify the party you believe is responsible for causing your accident and inform them that a claim is being made against them.
This will be the person responsible for your accident directly, a company, public body or insurer. They are known as the Defendant.
We will then await a response from the Defendant. When an insurer has to respond can depend on the type of accident or when or where your accident occurred.
All personal injury claims are initially governed by the ‘pre-action protocol.’ This encourages exchange of information and is designed to help Claimants and Defendants settle cases quickly and without the need to issue court proceedings. The pre-action protocol sets time limits for both parties to acknowledge and respond to correspondence. If we feel it is appropriate, we will issue court proceedings.
Negotiation
Once we have a response from the Defendant or their insurer, if liability is admitted, the next step is for us to negotiate a settlement on your behalf if your medical evidence is finalised and it is appropriate.
If liability is denied, the Defendant must give reasons and provide documentation to support this decision. We will conduct any necessary investigation to dispute these reasons and to try and secure an admission of liability.
Where liability is admitted, we would consider disclosing your medical evidence to the Defendant so they can make a settlement offer. This must be done before we can issue court proceedings. Your medical report will set out the expert’s opinion on the severity of your injuries and how long they will last.
This will give both sides an idea of the value of your injuries. We will also draft a document for you known as a ‘schedule of special damages’, which is a list of your financial losses. These will also form part of your compensation.
Settlement and compensation payment
The Defendant can make an offer of compensation for settlement at any time. At Express Solicitors, we pride ourselves on being able to negotiate with the Defendant and their insurers to secure the best compensation we can for clients. Usually, most cases are settled without the need for a court trial.
Once your claim has been settled, we will pay your compensation into your bank account once it is received.
Unlimited legal support.
That’s right, we provide unlimited legal support for our prospective clients. Not sure if you have a claim, or if you even want to make a claim?
You can speak with us for as long as you like and as many times as you like. We’ll let you know your legal rights, completely free of charge and with no obligation to make a claim.
How long does a personal injury compensation claim take?
There is no set length of time for a personal injury claim to be settled. On average, most claims can take a few months, with more complex claims taking up to and over a year. The length of time your case will take to settle will depend on where and how the injury occurred, how complex your claim is and how difficult it may be to prove liability.
How much will it cost to make a personal injury claim?
Usually, personal injury claims are made on a no win no fee basis – regardless of how serious the injury or significant the case is.
This means that if you don’t win your case, there’s nothing to pay. We provide a 100% no win no fee no risk guarantee with our personal injury claims service and don’t charge any upfront fees.
You will always keep the majority of your compensation – we just take a minority share of your overall compensation once it’s paid. This amount will be agreed at the start of the claim process.
You’ll also typically take out an insurance policy for legal expenses to use the no-win no-fee service and benefit from our no risk guarantee.
Who pays the compensation for my personal injury claim?
Compensation for personal injury claims is usually paid by the party at fault’s insurance company. Whether you are claiming against an employer, a company, a council or even another individual, such as in a car accident, the other party is legally required to have insurance to cover any personal injury claims made against them.
Can I make a personal injury claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, in some cases, you may still be able to claim compensation if you can show that another person was at least partly at fault for your injuries.
However, the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced. When both parties are at fault, a percentage of that fault, known as “contributory negligence”, is assigned to each party. For example, if it was agreed that you were 20% at fault, you may only receive 80% of the compensation you may have received if it was decided that you were not at fault. Speak to our specialist personal injury lawyers today to find out your exact rights if you think you may have been partly to blame for your injuries.
Debra’s story
How we were able to get more compensation for our client, Debra, who suffered a wrist fracture and numerous complications as a result of this, including five operations and long-term repercussions.
Will my personal injury claim go to court?
It is very unlikely that your claim will go to court, as over 95% of claims are settled without going to court. Even when liability is disputed, most of these claims are settled without needing to go to court. However, even if your personal injury claim goes to court, you may not need to attend.
Can I make a personal injury claim on behalf of someone else?
In some cases, you may be able to claim on behalf of a friend or family member.
As a trusted family member or carer, under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, you may be able to claim on behalf of someone with diminished mental capacity. You have the same rights to claim for them whether the accident you’re claiming for was the cause of their diminished mental capacity or not.
You may also claim on behalf of a child. In both instances, you can claim as a “litigation friend.”
Can I switch or move my personal injury claim to another solicitor?
Yes, you can change solicitors if your current solicitors are not providing the support and expertise you’d expect.
It is quick and easy to change your legal representation, and we’ve helped thousands of people claim millions more in compensation when switching to us.
If you’d like us to take over your claim, all you would need to do is sign a form indicating that you would like us to become your new legal representative. You don’t need to worry about the prospect of awkward conversations with your previous solicitors, as we will contact them and ask them to forward all of your case’s paperwork to us. You don’t have to pay anything to change solicitors, and we’ll take care of all of the work for you.
Personal injury compensation claim amounts
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Minor | £1,880.00 to £10,890.00 | Covers head injury with recovery within a few weeks. Higher compensation if symptoms include headaches. |
| Head | Moderate | £13,430.00 to £112,130.00 | Symptoms ranging from poor concentration, lower and higher risk of epileptic attacks, minor personality changes, depression, more severe intellectual impairment, or injuries/symptoms leading to a vegetative state. |
| Head | Serious | £186,890.00 £240,590.00 | Covers reduced life expectancy, serious physical symptoms, serious changes to personality or intellect, large dependence on others due to paralysis or otherwise. |
| Head | Severe | £240,590.00 to £344,640.00 | Covers minimally conscious state (life expectancy less than 15 years), severe disability, brain damage with little/no response, vegetative states needing full-time nursing. |
| Eye | Severe | £56,080.00to £229,260.00 | Complete blindness on one/both eyes or severe visual impairment on one/both eyes. |
| Face | Minor | £1,460.00 to £7,460.00 | Light or no scarring on the face, but no fractures, loss/damage of one/two front teeth, simple fractures of the jaw or nose, but with a possibility of complete recovery. |
| Face | Serious | £15,320.00 to £26,010.00 | More serious fractures such as a broken jaw or nose, breaking/damage/loss of several teeth. |
| Face | Severe | £26,010.00 to £38,850.00 | Severe injuries resulting in facial disfigurement, several jaw fractures, chronic tooth pain, and scarring. May lead to eating restrictions or higher risk of joint arthritis. Covers negative effects on mental health. |
| Ear/ hearing | Minor | Up to £5,980.00 | Possible Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), slight/occasional tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Moderate | £12,700.00 to £25,350.00 | Partial hearing loss or mild to severe tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Serious | £25,350.00 to £38,850.00 | Complete deafness in one ear. Severity varies based on additional symptoms (e.g. dizziness, tinnitus, etc.). |
| Ear/ hearing | Severe | £77,430.00 to £120,040.00 | Complete deafness in both ears. Higher compensation for child injuries also resulting in a loss of speech. |
Personal injury compensation amounts for back, neck, shoulders and upper body injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck | Minor | Up to £6,680.00 | Soft tissue injuries or whiplash with recovery within 3 – 24 months. Compensation factors include severity of pain and amount of negative effects on everyday life. |
| Neck | Moderate | £7,410.00 to £47,760.00 | Covers injuries that accelerated a pre-existing condition, disc lesions, cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement, permanent and/or recurring pain, all caused by fractures or dislocations. |
| Neck | Severe | £56,100.00 to £139,210.00 | Serious fractures, severe soft tissue damage, chronic pain conditions, disc damage, partial paraplegia, or significant, permanent disability. |
| Back | Minor | £2,090.00 to £10,670.00 | Includes lighter strains, sprains, disc prolapses, and soft tissue injuries. Recovery between 3 months and 5 years. |
| Back | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £26,050.00 | Includes: spinal fusion, compressed or fractured lumbar spine (possibly resulting in higher risk of osteoarthritis and constant pain), prolapsed discs and other injuries that may require surgery and a continued acceleration/worsening of a pre-existing back condition. |
| Back | Severe | £36,390.00 to £151,070.00 | Typically requires surgery. Injuries include: damaged spinal cord and partial paralysis, psychological issues, loss of bladder and/or bowel function, disc lesions, impaired movement, arthritis, etc. |
| Shoulder | Minor | Up to £6,730.00 | Soft tissue injury resulting in pain. Full recovery between 3 – 24 months. |
| Shoulder | Serious | £10,890.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured humerus, clavicle or rotator cuff needing surgery. |
| Shoulder | Severe | £16,380.00 to £40,970.00 | Significant disability caused by severe damage to the neck or brachial plexus. |
| Pelvis & hips | Minor | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Complete recovery after minor soft tissue injuries. Little or no disability within 2 years. |
| Pelvis & hips | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £33,430.00 | No serious disability, but covers injuries requiring hip operations, replacement of hips (or the need for either in the future). |
| Pelvis & hips | Severe | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Severe hip/pelvis fractures resulting in bowel damage or spinal fusion, childbirth complications, hip replacement, and/or leading to higher likelihood of future surgery. |
| Scarring (not facial) | Minor | £2,020.00 to £7,380.00 | One noticeable scar or several superficial, unsightly scars on the legs, arms, or hands. |
| Scarring (not facial | Moderate | Up to £7,380.00 | Full recovery within 2 years, up to a partial recovery with symptoms that are not largely debilitating. |
| Scarring (not facial | Severe | £6,680.00 to £19,390.00 | Several noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar. |
Personal injury compensation amounts for arm, hand, and finger injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | Mild | £5,630.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured forearm. |
| Arm | Moderate | £16,380.00 to £33,430.00 | Serious arm injury leading to long-lasting symptoms. |
| Arm | Serious | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Serious injury resulting in an inability to use the arm(s) to some extent. Does not result in amputation. |
| Arm | Severe | £82,040.00 to £255,930.00 | Results may include the amputation of one/both arms. Compensation amount will depends on amputated area, whether phantom pain is experienced, and on other effects on the quality of life. |
| Elbow | Moderate | Up to £10,750.00 | Includes: tennis elbow, deep cuts, simple fractures, no permanent damage. |
| Elbow | Serious | £13,360.00 to £27,320.00 | Results in restricted movement but does not require surgery or cause disability. |
| Elbow | Severe | £33,430.00 to £46,780.00 | Injury causes severe disability or requires surgery. |
| Wrist | Moderate | Up to £8,740.00 | Uncomplicated Colles fracture or minor undisplaced fractures with recovery between 1 – 2 years. May include use of plasters. |
| Wrist | Serious | £10,750.00 to £20,900.00 | Soft tissue damage or broken wrist causing some permanent disability. |
| Wrist | Severe | £20,900.00to £51,070.00. | Significant permanent disability or complete loss of wrist function. |
| Hand | Minor | Up to £4,050.00 | Covers lacerations and crush injuries, and soft tissue injuries (recovery within 6 months). |
| Hand | Moderate | £4,780.00 to £11,330.00 | Covers penetrating wounds and crush injuries resulting in permanent but non-intrusive symptoms, or soft tissue damage and deeper cuts resulting in impairment of the hand (may require surgery). |
| Hand | Severe | £24,740.00 to £171,920.00 | Covers amputation and rejoining of several fingers, resulting in a clawed, impaired, or unsightly hand, amputation of one/both hands (alternatively, amputation of several fingers rendering the hand almost useless). |
| Finger | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Includes: full-healed fractured finger bones (healed within 1 year) with/without minor scarring. |
| Finger | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £5,000.00 | Includes: complete (or almost complete) recovery after broken finger, amputation or loss of a part of the little finger. |
| Finger | Severe | £10,380.00 to £31,350.00 | Includes: complete amputation of one/more fingers, fractures of the index finger. Compensation depends on level of disability and suffering. |
| Thumb | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Short-term, severe pain gone within 3 months. |
| Thumb | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Covers fractures with recovery within 6 months, damage to nerves or tendons resulting in partial loss of sensation, and cosmetic thumb deformities. |
| Thumb | Severe | £10,750.00 to £46,780.00 | Partial/complete amputation of the thumb, surgical wire insertions, nerve damage, fractures, inability to grip. |
Personal injury compensation amounts for leg and foot injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg | Minor | £7,780.00 to £12,010.00 | Minor injuries with recovery within a few months (e.g. soft-tissue injuries, bruising, cuts, and contusions). Slightly more severe injuries such as simple fractures of the femur, tibia, or fibula. |
| Leg | Moderate | £15,320.00 to £46,780.00 | Minor fractures with partial recovery, serious soft tissue injury, injuries to one leg (e.g. broken bones, crushing injuries), ligament injuries, compound fractures leading to near certainty of arthritis or instability. |
| Leg | Severe | £46,780.00 to £240,590.00 | Severe injuries resulting in extensive degloving, bone grafting, permanently reduced mobility, or amputation of one/both legs (above/below the knee). |
| Knee | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes soft tissue injuries (recovery within a few months), a twisted knee, lacerations, or bruising resulting in discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Moderate | £22,340.00 to £37,070.00 | Includes: seriously damaged kneecaps, ligaments, or muscles, dislocation, a torn meniscus, acceleration injuries (over several years), resulting in ongoing discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Severe | £44,470.00 to £82,080.00 | Covers constant pain, severe disability, or muscle wastage. Higher compensation if need for surgery or injury effects quality of life. |
| Ankle | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Smaller fractures, but bone has not been displaced. May include sprains, injured ligaments (likely leads to scarring). Smaller injuries can allow for full recovery within a year, without any scarring. |
| Ankle | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £42,710.00 | Includes ligament tears, fractures, leading to smaller disabilities while standing/moving. Increased risk of osteoarthritis. Operation/cast needed. May lead to inability to work or call for special footwear. |
| Ankle | Severe | £42,710.00 to £59,480.00 | Severe injury resulting in deformities, disabilities, or even amputation of the body part down the line. |
| Achilles | Minor | £6,200.00 to £10,750.00 | Minor instability due to tendon damage around the ankle. Some more severe cases might involve scarring. |
| Achilles | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £17,970.00 | More serious injury and partially ruptured tendon. More severe cases tend to involve disability and/or permanent scarring. |
| Achilles | Severe | £21,320.00to £32,780.00 | Restricted movement of the ankle due to severed muscle tissue. Small likelihood of further improvement of limp and residual scarring. |
| Foot | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes: minor fractures, lacerations or contusions (with complete recovery within 2 years), ruptured ligaments or other puncture wounds that result in chronic pain or a permanent limp. |
| Foot | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £59,730.00 | Includes: metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity and ongoing symptoms, fractured heels (both), restricted mobility, degloving and heel fusion. |
| Foot | Severe | £71,640.00 to £171,920.00 | Injury needing amputation of one/both feet or traumatic amputation of the forefoot (to prevent need for complete amputation). |
| Toe | Minor | Up to £8,190.00 | One or more broken toes with a varying recovery period. Compensation depends on presence of long-term symptoms and speed of recovery. |
| Toe | Moderate | £8,190.00 to £11,730.00 | Multiple fractures, crush injuries to two/more toes, permanent disability. May have involved unsuccessful past operations. |
| Toe | Severe | £11,730.00 to £47,830.00 | Severe crush injuries leading to less/surgical amputation of one or two toes (not including the big toe), amputation of all toes or the big toe. |
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