Personal Injury Payout Guide: Making a Claim

Life can take unexpected turns, and accidents are often a part of those surprises. Whether it is a car accident, a workplace injury, a slip and fall, or medical malpractice, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, navigating the legal complexities of securing compensation for your injuries can feel daunting. That’s where a clear understanding of personal injury claims becomes essential.

If it can be established that someone else is responsible for your injuries, then you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.

Beacon Law has a team of experienced injury lawyers who can assist you in making a claim for compensation. If you have suffered an injury as a result of negligence and are wondering if you can make a claim, get in touch with our team today.

Common accidents that lead to claims

Road traffic accidents: Crashes involving cars, motorcycles, or trucks frequently cause severe injuries. Accidents resulting from car accidents involving faulty driving, intoxication, or road maintenance issues often result in claims.

Accidents at work: Falls from heights, heavy machinery incidents, or unsafe working conditions can cause injuries. Employers may be held liable if health and safety protocols are ignored and they breach their duty of care.

Slips, trips, and falls: Poorly maintained premises, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or lack of warning signs, can lead to serious injuries.

Medical negligence: Mistakes during operations can causes a range of injuries. Failing to identify critical conditions like strokes or infections can also lead to irreversible damage.

Sports injuries: Contact sports or extreme sports accidents, often linked to inadequate safety measures or defective equipment, can result in claims.

Assaults or criminal acts: Physical assaults that damage the spinal cord often lead to claims against perpetrators or third parties responsible for safety.

Defective products: Malfunctioning products, such as defective airbags, medical devices, or sports equipment, can cause injuries. Manufacturers or sellers may be held accountable.

Personal injury payout guide

If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. In the UK, personal injury compensation amounts are designed to help cover the financial, physical, and emotional impact of your injuries. Understanding how compensation is calculated and what factors influence your payout is essential for navigating the claims process confidently.

Determining compensation for a personal injury can be challenging, as each case and injury is unique. Generally, more severe injuries result in higher compensation awards. The final amount depends on the type of injury and the long-term care or lifestyle adjustments required to help the claimant adapt to their new circumstances.

Personal injury compensation is typically divided into general damages and special damages. General damages account for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity experienced by the claimant. Special damages cover financial losses directly related to the injury, such as lost earnings from time off work, costs of medical treatments, travel expenses, and ongoing care needs. To claim special damages, it is crucial to keep medical records and receipts as evidence of these expenses.

In cases where immediate financial support is required, interim payments may be provided before the final compensation amount. These advance payments cover urgent expenses or loss of income if the claimant is unable to work due to the injury, helping them manage their immediate needs before the final settlement.

The amount of compensation you receive for your pain, suffering and loss will vary depending on a number of factors. We will base the valuation of your general damages on recent case law, as well as guidelines set out by the Judicial College Guidelines. Get in touch today for more information on the personal injury payout guide.

How much is my claim worth after fee deductions?

We offer our services and legal advice for making a claim on a no win, no fee basis. This means that if you lose your case, you will not be required to pay anything.

A no win, no fee agreement is used as a way of funding a case where the accident victim does not have the means to pay the costs involved as the case progresses. When acting under this type of agreement, Solicitors will require that their Clients sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which means that they agree to pay fees, but only if the claim is successful.

Those who are successful in making a personal injury claim will be required to pay our legal fees from their compensation at the end of the case. These deductions will include a success fee, capped at 25% of your compensation, and the cost of the ATE insurance premium. At the start of your case, the ATE Insurance policy may have been taken out on your behalf by your Solicitor to protect you from having to pay the Defendant’s costs and disbursements if your case is unsuccessful. This should also be explained within the Conditional Fee Agreement.

Most Claimants will opt to instruct a firm of no win, no fee solicitors to act on their behalf so that they do not have to pay any legal fees upfront. They may also be worried about being left out of pocket if their claim is unsuccessful. When making a no win, no fee claim, you will have peace of mind in the knowledge that you will not be required to pay any legal costs if your claim is unsuccessful.

What are the time limits for making a claim?

The time limit for making a personal injury claim, known as the limitation period, typically depends on the type of claim. In most personal injury cases in the UK, the claimant has three years from the date of the accident or the date they became aware that their injury was caused by someone else’s negligence (known as the “date of knowledge”).

There are exceptions to this general rule:

• For children: If the injured person is under 18, the three-year limitation period begins on their 18th birthday, meaning they can make a claim until they turn 21. A parent or guardian can also bring a claim on their behalf before they reach adulthood.
• Mental capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, the time limit is suspended unless they regain capacity. A litigation friend can bring the claim on their behalf during this time.
• Fatal accidents: If the injury results in death, the family or estate has three years from the date of death to make a claim.

It is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure the claim is filed within the applicable time frame. Waiting too long could result in losing the right to claim compensation.

How can Beacon Law assist?

Beacon Law are specialist personal injury solicitors with a wealth of experience in dealing with a range of compensation claims. We can provide you with specialist legal advice on making a claim and guide you through the claims process, whilst negotiating the best settlement for your accident and injuries. We are passionate about our commitment to high-quality customer service.

We offer our services on a no win, no fee basis, which means you only have to pay our fees if we win your case for you. To find out more about making a personal injury compensation claim on a no-win, no fee basis, have a look at the funding section on our website.

If you would like more information on our personal injury payout guide, please contact us to talk to a member of our legal team. Please call us today on 0330 1332 857 or complete our online enquiry form and one of our experts will call you back.

Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.