It is the New Year, and there are plenty of things to be thinking about. It offers a time of reflection and, for many, resolution. What may be important but not at the top of the list, however, is a claim for a recent personal injury.
There is always a risk of unintended accidents or medical negligence – and ones that can impact you for just a moment, or the rest of your life. Personal injury claims are common, and we have supported thousands of local claimants who want compensation for an injury that was not their fault. But time is of the essence with claims.
Here is what to do if you believe you may have the basis for a personal injury claim.
When to start your claim
Many people often believe that personal injury claims have to be started immediately after the incident occurs. Whilst acting fast is important in helping your claim, it is not essential to move immediately.
Most personal injury claims in the UK are bound by a three-year limitation period. In simple terms, legal proceedings must commence within three years from the date of the accident. In certain cases where the injury becomes apparent after the accident, this limitation period can be extended.
It is important to note that some claims may have even shorter limitation periods, such as criminal injuries or accidents that occur outside of the UK. We can provide guidance on the specific limitations relevant to your situation.
Is it worth making a claim?
Absolutely. The first step will be to talk to your local solicitor in Portsmouth to discuss the circumstances and what steps to consider. If a solicitor believes you have a claim, the process can begin.
Compensation is naturally a question that many consider when making a claim. There is no simple rule for finding a potential compensation figure, but it can range from approximately £1,000.00-£5,000.00 for a straightforward road traffic accident claim to a seven-figure sum for life-changing and extensive injuries.
We approach each case individually, and we can substantially advise on how much we think your case is worth after receiving all evidence regarding your losses and injuries.
What to remember
Claims and compensation will not happen overnight. Typically, we resolve uncomplicated road traffic accident cases within 6-9 months, although workplace accidents and incidents involving slips and trips on highways may take longer. In cases of intricate and severe injuries, settlements can extend to several years owing to the intricate nature of the issues at hand.
If the accident was your fault, you are unlikely to get a successful claim. In order to claim compensation by a court, it is necessary to prove that the accident was the direct or indirect fault of another individual or organisation. If you caused the accident due to negligence, you will likely lose your claim.
All claims can be won, and lost. For many claimants, they often feel concerned that a claim may fail. If the claim fails, there will not be a penny to pay towards our costs as long as the contract you entered into was a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. You will be protected against paying the defendant’s costs unless a Court finds that your claim is dishonest.
Andrew & Andrew Solicitors in Portsmouth have experience in personal claims compensation and operate on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. We provide bespoke personal service, and our team prides itself on getting results.
We are here to help, whenever you are ready. To get started, please talk to our team.