What are serious injury claims?
Serious injury claims can be made after an individual suffers life-altering injuries due to someone else's negligence. These claims are made by the victim in order to secure financial compensation from the person at fault. These injuries can be caused by various accidents, such as road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, or medical negligence.
If you've experienced an injury that has impacted your life, you may be entitled to claim compensation and get a payment to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost earnings to help you restore your quality of life.
What qualifies as a serious injury?
What qualifies as a serious injury?
The term "serious injury" covers a wide range of injury areas and types, generally classified as those that cause significant disruption to daily life, future opportunities, and the lives of those around you. You could have suffered a permanent injury and have ongoing physical restrictions. An injury may be considered serious if you have:
- Spent an extended period in the hospital or require ongoing medical treatment
- Frequently visited the hospital for your injury
- Taken substantial time off work
- Needed assistance from family, friends, or paid caregivers for an extended period of time
When you contact us regarding your serious injury, we aim to gather comprehensive information from you to ensure your solicitor and legal team will have all they need to negotiate the maximum compensation you deserve.
This compensation can cover not only your own losses but also the impact on your loved ones, including:
- Compensation for the care provided by family or friends
- Reimbursement for any time they have had to take off work
- Paid back for travel and accommodation expenses your loved ones have spent
What is a typical serious injury?
There is no single "typical" serious injury, as the severity and type can vary widely. However, common examples include:
Understanding these types of injuries can help you identify if you may have a valid claim for serious injury compensation.
Less-severe injuries caused by negligence also warrant compensation so you should get in touch on to check your eligibility for any injury and accident claim, no matter the extent of your injury.
Serious injury claim types
Various personal injury claim types can be pursued based on the nature of your incident and injury. Common claim types include:
- Road traffic accidents: Injuries sustained in car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents that are not your fault can lead to serious injury claims.
- Workplace injuries: Injuries occurring in the workplace due to employer negligence, unsafe conditions, dangerous machinery or lack of proper safety measures.
- Medical negligence: Claims arising from injuries caused by medical negligence from a GP, hospital, surgery or other medical service.
- Slips and falls from height: Serious injuries resulting from slips, trips, or falls.
Each of these claim categories provides compensation for various serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and more.
If you believe you have a serious injury claim, call our friendly helpline today and get connected with the right lawyer for your case, .
How much compensation could I receive?
How much compensation could I receive?
The amount you may receive from a serious injury claim varies but your settlement amount will take into account several factors, including:
- Injury type and severity
- Recovery time
- Medical expenses and travel costs
- Lost earnings from time off work
- Any lifestyle changes that you have had to make as a result of your injuries.
- Ongoing care needs and any home adaptations you may need
While it's difficult to provide an exact figure, you can get an indicative estimate of how much you could claim by trying our compensation calculator for a guide figure.
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What is a good settlement?
What is a good settlement?
A "good settlement" in the context of serious injury claims refers to a compensation amount that adequately reflects the full extent of the injuries and losses experienced by the claimant. This may include receiving regular payments instead of a lump sum to cover long-term expenses, such as care costs and medical treatment. In some cases, your lawyer can help calculate the amount needed so that, when invested, it generates the income required to replace ongoing earnings.
It's also common to set up a Personal Injury Trust to protect your ability to claim benefits. Your legal team can connect you with financial advisers who specialise in these trusts and in making the right investment decisions for your future.
While there is no one-size-fits-all figure, ultimately, a good settlement is one that fully compensates the claimant for all their losses and allows them to move forward in life with restored finances.
What information do I need to make a serious injury claim?
What information do I need to make a serious injury claim?
When you contact us, our personal injury advisors will help streamline the process. To start your claim, it's helpful to have the following information ready:
- The date and context of your accident
- Details of any medical treatment received
- Time taken off work due to your injuries
- Any adaptations made to your lifestyle or home
- Description of pain and suffering experienced
Don't worry if you don't have all the details; we can help you even if some specifics are missing.
Can I claim on behalf of a family member or friend?
If you need to make a claim for someone unable to do so themselves, we're here to support you throughout the process. There are several circumstances where you can act on behalf of a loved one to seek compensation for their injury.
1. Claiming for a Child:
Children under the age of 18 cannot legally make a claim on their own, so a parent or guardian can act on their behalf as a ‘litigation friend.'
You can start the claim any time before the child turns 18, and once they reach 18, they will have until their 21st birthday to pursue the claim themselves if it hasn't already been resolved.
2. Claiming for Someone Who Lacks Mental Capacity:
If a loved one is unable to make decisions about their claim due to a mental health condition or a brain injury, you can act as their litigation friend to manage the process on their behalf.
There is no specific time limit for claiming on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity unless they regain capacity. If this happens, no matter how briefly, the three-year limitation period for making a claim begins from the date they're able to manage their own affairs again.
Your legal team will provide full guidance throughout the process to ensure your loved one's care and future financial stability are considered.
What is a Litigation Friend?
What is a Litigation Friend?
As a litigation friend, your role is to guide and support your loved one through the claim process stages and act on their behalf. In some cases, the person you're assisting will need to be present for key steps in the claim process, such as medical assessments. They must participate in the claim wherever possible, and your responsibility is to ensure their input is included, their voice is heard, and instructions are made accordingly.
While it can seem daunting to claim on behalf of someone else, your legal team will be with you every step of the way, helping you understand your role and making sure the claim progresses smoothly. We'll provide clear guidance on how to manage the process and ensure that both you and the person you're assisting feel supported throughout.
If you or your family member need help with claiming, contact us for free, impartial advice tailored to your circumstances.
Can you get compensation for a death?
Yes, a personal injury claim can be made on behalf of someone who has passed away by the estate's representative, either the Executor (if there's a will) or Administrator (if not). The claim must be filed within three years of the death or when it was discovered to be linked to an accident or illness.
If you've lost a partner or close family member due to a fatal accident, we extend our deepest condolences.
Compensation may not heal emotional wounds, but it can provide financial stability during a challenging time.
How long do accident claims take?
How long do accident claims take?
The duration of a claim for serious injury varies significantly based on individual circumstances.
Many personal injury claims typically take between 6 to 12 months to complete the settlement process. However, more complex cases, such as those involving serious injuries or disputed liability, may take anywhere from 18 months or even a few years to resolve.
The timeline will depend on how quickly medical assessments and evidence can be gathered, as well as whether the other party cooperates, and whether any delays occur with external bodies such as waiting for Police accident reports.
If you face immediate financial needs, you could ask your lawyer if an interim payment may be available. Rest assured, your legal team will keep you informed throughout the claims process.
Will I have to go to court?
What is a no win no fee serious injury claim?
What is a no win no fee serious injury claim?
We offer a no win, no fee service so there are no upfront costs involved in starting a claim with us and you only pay if you win:
- Low risk - only pay if your claim succeeds.
- No upfront costs - an insurance policy covers expenses like court fees and medical reports.
- No win, no fee - if your claim doesn't win and you stick to the agreement's terms, you won't pay a thing.
Contact us to start your no win no fee claim today.
How long do I have to start my claim?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident to claim for compensation. You can claim compensation for most accidents that happened to you up to 3 years ago but in some cases; this time frame could be longer or shorter:
- Claims on behalf of children: You can claim at any point before the child's 18th birthday. After turning 18, they have until age 21 to make their own claim.
- Mental Capacity: There are no time limits for claims made on behalf of someone who cannot manage their own case. This has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis and means more than requires assistance. It should also be noted that should the claimant regain capacity at any time after the accident, however briefly, the usual 3 years will start from that date.
- Serious accidents/illnesses abroad: Time limits vary by country, so please contact us as soon as possible to get specific information.
How do I start a personal injury claim?
Starting your claim is simple. Our friendly personal injury advisors are ready to provide free, impartial advice and check your eligibility for compensation. Call us at {medtel}, and we'll check if you have a claim by asking you a series of questions about your accident and circumstances.
Our helpline is free with no obligation or pressure to pursue your claim. Get in touch to get your questions answered.
If you prefer, you can fill out the contact form below, and we'll get back to you within 30 minutes during standard opening hours.