How to Make a Personal Injury Claim

We know that it can be daunting when you first talk to a lawyer about a compensation claim. It’s a conversation no one ever truly wants to have, but for thousands of injured people and their families every year, it’s one of the conversations that can set them on the road to recovery.

Personal injury damages guidelines

If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Thompsons can help you make a personal injury claim. Some of the types of personal injury damages you can claim for include scarring, brain and spinal injuries, broken bones, sprains, scalds, food poisoning, work-related diseases and asbestos-related diseases.

Follow these steps to making a personal injury claim, which cover everything you need to do in the event of an accident and how to seek compensation.

1. Report the accident

You should report the accident to whoever you believe was responsible for it as soon as possible.

2. Gather evidence

Make a note of the incident in any accident book where your injury took place, take names and addresses of witnesses and if appropriate take photographs of the area. Remember to keep receipts as evidence if you are intending to claim compensation for expenses such as prescription costs and travelling.

3. Contact our lawyers

Contact Thompsons Solicitors on 0800 0 224 224 for free, no-obligation advice and to discuss your case. Alternatively, you can request a callback or complete our simple online claim form. Once you’ve given us the details of your accident or injury, we’ll tell you if your personal injury claim is likely to succeed.

If I make a claim for personal injury compensation, how much will I get?

The amount of personal injury compensation you could receive depends upon the extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on your daily life. Once our team has spoken to you and assessed your personal injury claim in more depth, they will be able to provide you with an estimate as to how much compensation they think you could be awarded. Generally, the more severe your accident, the more compensation you are likely to get.

How are personal injury damages calculated?

Thompsons’ lawyers will consider the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on your life. They will look into your financial losses, such as loss of income, and medical expenses incurred as a result of your injury and use that information to calculate what they believe should be your personal injury damages.

Are personal injury settlements taxable?

No. The law says that any compensation secured for personal injury damages are tax-free, which means you are entitled to keep 100 per cent of your settlement.

Does personal injury compensation affect benefits?

Your eligibility to claim housing benefit or income support following your accident could be affected if you receive a significant amount of compensation. However, making a compensation claim shouldn’t affect your benefits if you’re already on state benefit or income support. If you have received benefits as a result of your accident, then the amount of compensation you receive could be reduced.

What if my accident happened in a public place?

You are still entitled to claim for personal injury damages if your accident happened in a public place. The person or company owning or responsible for maintaining the public area should have a public liability insurance policy to compensate members of the public for any injury they sustain while on the property. Your claim for damages will be made against that insurance policy.

How do personal injury settlements work?

If you have made a personal injury claim with Thompsons, our solicitors will work fast to secure a settlement and get you the support you need. Once you have submitted your claim, one of our solicitors will be in touch for further details and to gather the evidence needed to support your case. We will need to prove your injury, illness or disease was caused by the negligence (fault) of someone else in order for your claim to be successful.

The time it takes to settle a personal injury claim depends on the facts of the case and the impact your accident has had on your health and daily life. Thompsons aims to get you the best personal injury claim outcome in the shortest time possible.

Are there any caps on personal injury damages?

Every case is unique, and compensation will vary accordingly. There are no financial caps on personal injury damages. Our specialist solicitors will discuss with you how much you are likely to receive.

Will I have to go to court to obtain my personal injury compensation?

Very few personal injury compensation claims actually go all the way to a court hearing, as court hearings lead to an increase in the legal costs.

In extreme cases, where there is a dispute, you may have to attend court, however, your solicitor will talk you through the whole process to make sure you know what’s going to happen.

Do I have to make a claim within a particular timeframe?

Thompsons Solicitors has decades of experience in running and winning personal injury claims for hundreds of thousands of people. If you have had an accident within the last three years that wasn’t your fault, call Thompsons Solicitors on 0800 0 224 224 for expert advice or fill out our online claim form.

Why you should choose Thompsons to represent you in a personal injury claim

We understand that deciding whether to make a personal injury claim, as well as who you want to run the case, is a serious decision. At Thompsons, our friendly team will be happy to talk you through the process, how we can help and what the options are if you have a case.

We provide a personal service to every single client, from the first phone call or face-to-face meeting, to the day we send you the cheque for your damages. 

We understand that mobility issues, child care or a simple desire to remain close to home when you are feeling less confident means that for the most unwell clients, it’s important your lawyers can come to you; whether that’s at home or at a hospital.

We are committed to delivering a first-class legal service for injured people and their families. Simplifying the process and relieving the stress and strain on the injured person and their loved ones while bringing their case to a swift, successful conclusion is our utmost priority.