Personal Injury Solicitors
Personal Injury Services
If you have suffered an injury through no fault of your own, we know how distressing and worrying a time it can be. Financial worries and concerns about the future can leave you uncertain about where to turn.
Our Personal Injury Team values the importance of client care, and client care is at the heart of what we do. We understand that this can be a time of distress, and clients may be worried about what they can claim for and if they indeed have a claim. Our dedicated team will listen to you, we will understand your needs, and we will deal with your case in a positive, helpful and empathetic manner.
Our Personal Injury Team prides itself on assisting clients and helping where we can. We will go above and beyond what is required of us, and we are empowered to positively impact our clients and provide them with a service second to none.
Our Personal Injury Team
The Personal Injury Team is dedicated to providing our clients with excellent service, and we pride ourselves on dealing with cases with empathy and integrity. We work with a client-focused approach, whilst fostering an environment which is caring, confidential and professional.
We are committed to achieving excellence in all we do, and we strive to provide legal advice which is clear and concise.
We have recovered millions of pounds in compensation on behalf of our clients dealing with all aspects of personal injury claims, ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries of the utmost severity. This includes £8,000,000 for a child who developed cerebral palsy as a result of an RTA.
Our team consists of qualified solicitors who are also members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. Our team will take you step by step through the process of making a claim so that you feel confident in understanding what to expect.
Dedicated Solicitor
A dedicated Solicitor will be allocated to your claim from the outset. The Solicitor will remain your personal guide to the legal process throughout the claim. We approach each claim individually and look to support the injured person through what can be a traumatic time.
The majority of claims are funded by a 'no win no fee' agreement, which will ensure that you will not be required to pay costs should your claim be unsuccessful. We understand that financial compensation following an accident is only a part of the picture. We believe it is essential that our clients receive timely and effective rehabilitation to ensure they are given the best chance of recovery possible. We work in partnership with a wide range of health professionals to put in place a rehabilitation programme adapted to your individual needs.
We offer a free confidential initial consultation either at our office, your home or hospital. Get in touch with us by phone, e-mail or visiting one of our offices to discuss your potential claim. Our dedicated team will be more than happy to discuss your case and offer any help we can.
What is a personal injury?
Personal injury is a legal term for harm or damage done to a person's body, mind or emotions, usually because someone else was careless or negligent, or has acted wrongly. If this happens, you may be able to claim compensation through the law. A personal injury can cover bodily injuries, e.g., broken bones, whiplash, and mental distress, distinguishing itself from property damage. Victims can seek compensation for losses, including medical expenses and lost income.
These are common examples of personal injury, including:
- Road Traffic Accidents (car, motorbike, bicycle crashes)
- Slips, Trips, and Falls (for example: trips or slips on wet floors)
- Workplace Accidents
- Assaults or Physical Attacks
- Injury from Defective Products
Accidents at Work
Whether severe or minor, an accident at work can be extremely distressing. We understand that bringing a claim against your employer can be a difficult decision. We will discuss all of the implications of your claim and advise you on the best course of action.
Our team will listen to you and explain the law in straightforward language to help you understand the process of making a claim against your employer.
- We will explain the process to you in simple terms and go through your options with you. We will explain the funding options available to you and help guide you through any funding documents.
- We will provide you with a direct and no-nonsense approach. We will treat you with respect and with empathy, and we will be open and transparent with you.
Our compensation aims
Our aim is to get you compensation for your injuries and losses as quickly as possible. We will explain the time limits to you and go through any Court process with you.
You may need rehabilitation to return to work. We will liaise with specialists to ensure you receive all the support you require. Our team has acted against employers as diverse as multi-national companies, health authorities, and government departments. Examples of the different types of claims that we have recently concluded on behalf of our clients include accidents resulting from:
- Defective work equipment
- Crush injuries
- Co-workers negligence
- Slips or trips at work
- Working at height or falling from height
- Dangerous working practices
- Failure of personal protective equipment
- Failure to provide appropriate training
- Failure to ensure safe manual handling
- Workplace violence
- Stress, bullying and harassment
- Industrial disease
This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case. If you would like to discuss a potential matter or would like any further information, then please contact one of our team using the details shown on this page.
Road Traffic Accidents
Injuries can be suffered in many different situations on the highways. Whether you are a pedestrian, passenger or driver, you may suffer injury due to no fault of your own. We have experience in dealing with all kinds of road traffic cases.
- We regularly deal with Motor Insurer's Bureau claims that arise where the negligent driver is uninsured or unknown. We also have experience in dealing with claims for motorcyclists and cyclists.
- We also have a considerable amount of experience in dealing with claims for passengers on public transport. This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case.
If you would like to discuss a potential matter or would like any further information, then please contact one of our team using the details shown on this page.
Public Liability (Trips & Slips)
The local Council has a duty to ensure that pavements and roads are inspected, maintained and repaired on a frequent basis to prevent hazards arising from potholes, cracks in the pavement and uneven paving slabs. If you believe your fall was caused by a hazard left as a result of failure to maintain the public highway, then please contact us to discuss your accident and injury.
Injuries following trips and slips on public highways could result in significant injury, pain and loss of earnings. We have extensive experience in successfully recovering compensation in these circumstances. Trips or slips can result in months off work and leave individuals requiring extensive care and assistance from both family members and professionals.
This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case. If you would like to discuss a potential matter or would like any further information, then please contact one of our team using the details shown on this page.
Fatal Accidents
A death caused by the fault of another is particularly difficult for a family to come to terms with. Our role is to support the family and advise how best to achieve compensation that will secure their financial future at this difficult time.
We have great experience in this area with successful cases against individuals and organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and major construction companies, amongst others, which include dealing with high-value and complex cases.
Our team will advise and support you and your family through the inquest process and liaise with the Police on your behalf. We have acted for families bereaved following accidents abroad, liaising with both international lawyers and experts, resulting in significant levels of compensation being awarded to our clients.
This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case. If you would like to discuss a potential matter or would like any further information, then please contact one of our team using the details shown on this page.
Occupiers Liability
All owners of private property, premises and land have an obligation to visitors to ensure that they can visit safely without risk to their health. They are under a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that a visitor will not be exposed to a risk of injury.
Occupiers Liability Act 1957
Accidents which take place on property or land owned by somebody else are called Occupiers Liability Claims, and they are very common. Examples are, but not limited to, slips in supermarkets, shops or nightclubs due to a spillage not being cleaned up, injury that is sustained due to someone failing to tidy up or make an area of a building safe, trips/ falls as a result of badly fitted or damaged flooring, or being struck by a falling object.
The 1957 Act was enacted to regulate the duty of care which an occupier of premises owes to its visitors. Section 2 of the Act states that the duty of the occupier is to 'take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purpose for which he or she is invited or permitted by the occupier to be there'.
We have successfully recovered compensation for clients following, for example, visits to supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centres where they have been injured as a result of trips and slips, contact with faulty equipment or defective premises.
This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case.
Faulty Products & Food Poisoning
When a product fails, injuries can be severe and long-lasting. Manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure that their products are free from defects which may cause injury before they are sold to consumers.
Food poisoning can often be serious and result in long-term consequences for your health. Those involved with the preparation of food are subject to strict regulation. If they fail in this regard, you may be entitled to compensation.
We have successfully acted for injured clients as a result of their exposure to defective products and foodstuffs, achieving significant compensation on their behalf.
This type of case is usually funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, usually known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. For further information, please see Funding Your Case. If you would like to discuss a potential matter or would like any further information, then please contact one of our team using the details shown on this page.
Criminal Injuries
If you are a blameless victim of a crime and have suffered injury as a result, our team of solicitors can assist you in making a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. This government body compensates innocent victims of crime who have suffered physical and/or psychological injuries.
A successful claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority can result in an award ranging from £1,000 to £500,000.
Motorbike Accidents
Motorcyclists represent only one in a hundred of road users, but account for up to 20 per cent of the deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
Unfortunately, for motorcyclists, there is a greater risk of an accident causing serious personal injury. There are a number of contributory factors. In particular, motorcyclists are not seen as easily as other road users, have less protection and are more vulnerable to head and spinal injuries.
If you have been injured, you need early, specialist advice so that investigations can be started promptly. From receipts for your expenses to photographs of the scene and interviewing witnesses, we can help you make a start on compiling the evidence for your claim.
Our specialist guidance throughout your claim can make a real difference. We can steer you towards obtaining early rehabilitation to help improve your recovery and get you back to work quicker. We can help you obtain a payment on account of your compensation, which can be really helpful if your recovery is likely to take a long time.
Even after the claim has ended, depending on the amount of compensation, you may need continuing guidance to ensure your compensation is invested and managed properly.
For advice on any injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our Aim
- Clear Communication and Responsiveness - We will provide you with regular progress updates, you will have access to our team when required, and we will provide you with proactive communication so that you are kept up to date with matters in an easy-to-understand way.
- Cost Effectiveness and Transparency - We will provide you with clear and upfront information on the funding arrangements that we offer, and we will avoid any unnecessary administrative charges. We will be transparent and open with you, and keep you up to date with costing at various stages of the case.
- Commercial Understanding - Our team have a deep knowledge of the Personal Injury Industry. Between the team, we have over 60 years of experience working in the personal injury field. Our Solicitors and Trainee Solicitors, and administrative staff keep up to date with legal updates and political impact, to ensure that you are regularly kept up to date, and to ensure that we keep ourselves up to date with legal changes, in order to help maximise recovery in your cases. The Solicitors in our Personal Injury Team are members of The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Funding Your Case
The majority of claims are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement ('CFA'), commonly known as a 'no win no fee' agreement. Providing you comply with the terms of the agreement, you can rest assured that you will not be required to pay costs to your opponent should your claim be unsuccessful. Part of our costs will be paid by the opponent. There may be a deduction from your damages at the conclusion of your case.
Under the 'no win no fee' agreement, we will use our expertise to bring together a team of medical experts and specialist Barristers to work together in support of your claim.
If you already have legal expenses insurance, we can liaise with your insurer to act on your behalf with the benefit of the existing cover. You have the right to choose your own Solicitor. If you do not have the benefit of legal expenses insurance, we will arrange insurance cover to ensure you will not be required to pay costs if your case is unsuccessful.
In claims against untraced drivers or an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, where costs are not generally recoverable from the other side, we can offer alternative 'no win no fee' funding methods. If you have any questions in relation to funding, our solicitors are available to discuss this with you at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to make a claim?
In England and Wales, the standard limitation period for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the accident or the date you became aware of the injury (date of knowledge). Court proceedings must be started within this time frame to avoid losing the right to compensation. For children, the 3-year clock starts on their 18th birthday, meaning they have until their 21st birthday to claim.
- Mental capacity – there is no time limit if the person lacks mental capacity to manage their own affairs.
- Criminal Injuries (CICA) - a 2-year limit applies to claims for violent crimes.
- Accidents Abroad – Aircraft/Boats: time limits can be as short as 2 years, or these vary by jurisdiction.
- Fatal Accidents - you have 3 years from the date of death or the date of knowledge of the dependant.
These time limits are strict, and our team of Solicitors will guide you through the most appropriate time limit in your case. We always advise starting your claim as soon as possible, as the evidence is recent, your memory is fresh, and there is enough time to gather all the evidence required to ensure your claim is dealt with as expediently as possible.
How long will it take for my claim to settle?
This depends on how complex your case is. While some claims can settle within 12 to 24 months, this does depend on how complex your claim is and how complex your injury is. It will take time for us to gather evidence and instruct experts to deal with injuries, and this can take time and impact the time it takes to settle. The party responsible may also deny responsibility for your claim, and if so, then further time will have to be taken so that we can investigate your claim and gather all the evidence that we need. Our team will work with you to ensure that we maximise your damages, but we will never rush your claim or try to under-settle your claim. We will always advise you on any offers and whether an offer should be accepted or not. We are here to work with you, and we will work relentlessly to ensure that we maximise your damages.
How will you value my claim?
We will not be able to advise you on valuing your claim until we receive expert evidence. Once you have decided to proceed with making a claim, we will make a claim on your behalf, and if appropriate, instruct a medical expert to deal with your injuries. We will instruct a medical expert who is a specialist in their field, and the most appropriate expert to deal with your injury.
Once a medical report has been received and all the medical evidence has been finalised, we should be in a position to advise you on the valuation of your claim. We will not be able to give you an exact figure of the compensation you could be entitled to, as this can depend on matters in the claim. The compensation will take into account various factors, including the following:
- The type of injury and the severity of the injury.
- Your recovery time, and/or if symptoms are ongoing.
- Lost earnings from time off work.
- Travel expenses and any medical expenses.
- Your care requirements following the injury, and any aids and equipment you have purchased or may need to purchase.
There are 2 types of claims you can claim for:
- General Damages: this covers pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Special Damages: This will cover financial losses arising from your injury, both past and any potential future claims.
Our team will advise you at the appropriate stage and give you a breakdown of the valuation of your claim.
What will you need from me?
- We will need sufficient information at the outset to enable us to risk assess your case and decide whether we can take the case on.
- We will need information on the accident circumstances and witnesses.
- Documentary evidence – this can include photographs/CCTV of any defects or injuries.
- Documentary evidence – such as receipts, invoices, and witness statements.
- Sketch plan.
- Witness details.
- Medical records.
- We will advise you at the outset and during the case of the information and evidence required from you to deal with your claim.
Who will pay the compensation if I am injured at work?
If you make a claim against your employer, they should have Employers Liability Insurance, which should cover damages in a successful work injury compensation claim.
At the outset, we will access a specialised database to try to locate the right insurer, or write to the employer to advise them of the details of the claim and to ask them to refer this to the insurance company.
Why choose us to deal with your claim?
Our Personal Injury Team values the importance of client care, and client care is at the heart of what we do. We will go over and beyond what is required of us, and we are empowered to positively impact and help our clients, in order to provide them with a service which is second to none.
Our Personal Injury Team is dedicated to providing our clients with excellent service, and we pride ourselves on dealing with cases with empathy and integrity. We work with a client-focused approach, whilst fostering an environment which is caring, confidential and professional. We are committed to achieving excellence in all we do, and we strive to provide legal advice which is clear and concise.
Our team has recovered millions of pounds in compensation on behalf of our clients. We deal with all aspects of personal injury claims, ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries of the utmost severity.
Our Process
1
Initial Consultation and Assessment
You will speak to a dedicated member of our New Enquiry Team who will take details of your claim, and refer the details to our Risk Assessment Panel of Solicitors to evaluate the case to determine if another party’s negligence is responsible for the injuries, and to determine whether or not we can take the case on.
2
Communication
We will then communicate any decision to you in a timely fashion, and if we can take your case on, a file will be opened on your behalf, and we will forward our client care documents to you within 48 hours. Once the paperwork has been returned, we will start our investigation of your claim.
3
Evidence Gathering and Medical Report
Evidence will be collected, including photographs and witness statements from any colleagues/family members. We will take details at the outset so that we can assess the case and prepare a formal letter of claim to the Defendant to report details of your accident to them. If appropriate, medical reports from experts to determine the severity and prognosis of injuries shall be obtained.
4
Valuing the Claim
Compensation is calculated based on pain, suffering, loss of amenity and financial losses (eg, medical expenses, loss of earnings, care and attendance provided, travel expenses, treatment, including both past and future, amongst other heads of claim). Your Solicitor will advise you at the appropriate stage as to the valuation of your claim.
5
Negotiation
Your file handler will advise you on appropriate negotiation and negotiate with the insurance company or Solicitors to reach a settlement on your behalf.
6
Settlement or Court
If a settlement is not agreed, your case may need to proceed to a Court hearing/final trial. We will advise you during the case if this is appropriate.
7
Time Limits
There are specific time limits for starting a claim, usually 3 years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge and for children under 18, Claimant's have until their 21st birthday to start a claim (3 years from turning 18). A parent can act as a "litigation friend" before they turn 18.
8
Funding
Many cases in our team are handled on a no-win, no-fee basis (conditional fee agreement).
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Daniel Carr
Joint Head of Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
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Shabana Ali
Director - Head of Personal Injury
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Tracy Rodgers
Solicitor - Personal Injury
