Personal Injury Claims — No Win, No Fee Solicitors

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a legal process that allows you to seek financial compensation when you have suffered an injury caused by the negligence of another person, organisation, employer or public body. The law requires the person or organisation responsible to put you back in the position you would have been in had the accident not occurred — so far as money can achieve that.

Personal injury law in England and Wales covers a very wide range of circumstances. Whether you were hurt in a road traffic collision, slipped on a wet supermarket floor, developed a disease through exposure to harmful substances at work, or suffered harm as a result of medical negligence, the same fundamental legal principles apply: the defendant owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, and that breach caused your injury and losses.

Types of Personal Injury Claim We Handle

EA Personal Injury Solicitors handles claims across all major categories of personal injury:

Who Can Make a Personal Injury Claim?

Any person who has suffered an injury due to another party's negligence may be eligible to claim. This includes adults injured directly, parents or litigation friends claiming on behalf of injured children, and — in cases of fatal accidents — dependants or the estate of the deceased bringing a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 or the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934.

You do not need to be a UK citizen or resident to make a claim, provided the accident occurred in England or Wales and the defendant can be identified and pursued here.

Time Limits for Personal Injury Claims

The Limitation Act 1980 generally gives you three years from the date of the accident — or from the date you first had knowledge that your injury was caused by the defendant's negligence — to issue court proceedings. Missing this deadline will usually prevent you from pursuing your claim entirely, so it is important to take legal advice as soon as possible.

Important exceptions include:

• Children — the three-year period does not begin until the child turns 18, so a claim can be brought at any time before their 21st birthday
• Mental incapacity — time does not run while a claimant lacks mental capacity
• Industrial disease — time runs from the date of knowledge rather than the date of exposure
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) — applications must be made within two years of the incident

What Evidence Do You Need?

Strong evidence is essential to a successful personal injury claim. Useful evidence typically includes:

• Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries and any defects or hazards
• Accident report forms or records (workplace accident book, hospital records)
• Witness names and contact details
• Medical records, GP notes and specialist reports
• Payslips or accounts showing lost earnings
• Receipts for medical expenses, travel costs and other out-of-pocket losses
• CCTV footage where available

Do not worry if you have not collected all of this — our solicitors can help gather evidence once instructed.

What Can Compensation Cover?

Personal injury compensation typically has two components:

General Damages

General damages compensate you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injury. The amount is assessed by reference to the Judicial College Guidelines and the circumstances of your case. More severe, long-lasting injuries attract higher awards.

Special Damages

Special damages are designed to reimburse you for quantifiable financial losses caused by your injury. These can include:

• Past and future loss of earnings
• Cost of medical treatment, therapies and rehabilitation
• Care and assistance provided by family members or professionals
• Travel costs to appointments
• Costs of adapting your home or vehicle
• Aids and equipment

In serious injury cases, future losses can be very significant and are often the largest component of a claim.

How the Claims Process Works

Personal injury claims in England and Wales follow a structured process governed by the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols. The main stages are:

1. Initial enquiry and case assessment — we assess whether you have a viable claim and explain your options
2. Letter of claim — we notify the defendant of your intention to claim, setting out the circumstances and the injuries
3. Investigation and response — the defendant investigates and either admits or denies liability
4. Medical evidence — an independent medical expert examines you and prepares a report on your injuries and prognosis
5. Valuation and negotiation — we value your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf
6. Settlement or court proceedings — most claims settle; where they do not, we will issue proceedings and represent you

No Win, No Fee Personal Injury Claims

EA Personal Injury Solicitors offers no win, no fee funding through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that if your claim does not succeed, you will not be required to pay our solicitor's fees. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. The level of the success fee will be explained to you clearly before you sign any agreement.

We will also advise you about After the Event (ATE) insurance, which can protect you against having to pay the other side's legal costs in the event that your claim is unsuccessful. Premiums are typically only payable on success.

Our aim is to ensure you have access to high-quality legal representation regardless of your financial position. We will be transparent about costs from the outset so there are no surprises.