Personal Injury Solicitors

A personal injury can affect your health, work, family life and independence. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

A personal injury claim is a legal process that helps you claim compensation after an accident or injury. This compensation can help with the pain and impact of your injury. It can also cover financial losses, medical care, rehabilitation, travel expenses, lost earnings and future support needs.

JMW’s personal injury solicitors help people across England and Wales with a wide range of personal injury cases. This includes road traffic accident claims, personal injury at work claims, public liability claims, serious injury claims and claims involving life changing injuries.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors will listen to what happened. We will explain whether you may be able to claim compensation. We will also guide you through the personal injury claims process from your first contact with us.

We provide clear legal help from the start. We can also help you access medical care, rehabilitation and other support services where these are needed.

To speak to a personal injury solicitor, call JMW on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form.

How JMW Can Help

The expert personal injury solicitors at JMW will work to get you the best possible result. We will assess your case and advise you on your right to claim compensation. Our solicitors will explain the whole claims process so that you understand exactly what will happen once liability has been accepted by the defendants, and you will receive advice throughout to give you peace of mind that you have the best available representation.

Meet Our Team of Personal Injury Solicitors

Our personal injury team at JMW is made up of dedicated and experienced professionals, here to offer compassionate support and expert guidance to help you through your personal injury claim.

Case Studies

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is the legal process of recovering compensation for physical damage or psychological damage that has been caused by somebody else. Injuries can be caused by just about anything; however, for a claim to be made, the accident must have been caused by someone else through an act of negligence or breach of duty.

If your injury was caused through no fault of your own, then you have a right to make a claim.

Can I Make A Personal Injury Claim?

You may be able to make a personal injury claim if you were injured because someone else was at fault. This could be another person, a business, an employer, a local authority or another organisation.

To make a compensation claim, your solicitor will usually need to show that:

• Someone owed you a duty of care
• They failed to meet that duty
• This caused your injury
• Your injury led to pain, financial losses or other impact on your life

Personal injury claims can arise from many types of accident. This includes a road traffic accident, an accident at work, an accident in a public place or an injury caused by faulty equipment. These accidents can happen anywhere. You should seek legal advice if you are unsure whether you can claim.

Evidence helps your solicitor build your claim. This may include medical records, accident reports, photographs, witness details, CCTV, wage information and receipts for expenses. JMW will explain what may be useful and help you gather further evidence where needed.

There are time limits for making a personal injury claim. In many cases, you have three years from the date of the accident or the date you became aware of your injury. Different rules can apply for children and people who do not have the mental capacity to make legal decisions. A solicitor can explain the time limit that applies to your situation.

Learn more by reading our guide to when you are eligible to make a personal injury claim.

What Areas Do We Cover?

We cover all aspects of personal injury. For more information about the individual areas that we specialise in, and how we can help with these particular types of claim, please consult our comprehensive list of services, or simply call us today with your query to discuss whether we can help you.

Some of the more common cases we handle include:

• Accidents abroad - if you have suffered an accident while on a package holiday, you may be able to make a compensation claim against the company responsible for failing to ensure a safe experience.
• Accidents at work - accidents can happen anywhere from factories to offices. You have a right to a safe working environment, and can make a claim against your employer or their insurer if you have had an accident in the workplace.
• Cycling accidents - as a cyclist, you are especially vulnerable on the road. If you have followed the Highway Code's requirements of cyclists but have experienced an accident due to another driver’s conduct, or due to poor road maintenance, you may be able to claim compensation.
• Head injuries - head injuries are serious and do not always manifest immediately. If you have suffered a blow to the head, seek medical attention straight away. After doing so, if you have ongoing symptoms you may wish to   consider claiming compensation against the party responsible.
• Road traffic accidents - accidents on the road can be severe, encompassing spinal injuries and head injuries, and can be caused by other road users or poor road maintenance. If you find yourself in this situation, consider making a compensation claim for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle.
• Serious injuries - catastrophic and serious injuries can have a significant impact on your life, requiring you to change your lifestyle and make adaptations to your home. You should not have to figure this out on your own - seek legal advice and compensation for your costs.
• Spinal injuries - spinal injuries can have serious repercussions. If you have sustained a spinal injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, speak to our expert spinal injuries team for advice on how to claim personal injury compensation.

How to Make a Personal Injury Claim

The personal injury claims process starts with getting legal advice. JMW will explain your options and guide you through each stage.

Step 1: Initial consultation

Your first step is to speak to a personal injury solicitor. We will ask what happened, how you were injured and how the injury has affected your life.

We will also explain whether you may be able to make a personal injury claim. If we can help, we will discuss funding options. This may include making a claim on a no win, no fee basis.

Step 2: Gathering evidence

Evidence helps show what happened and how the injury has affected you. This may include accident reports, photographs, witness details, CCTV, medical records, payslips and receipts for expenses.

JMW will explain what evidence may be useful. We will help you gather further evidence and keep the process clear.

Step 3: Medical assessment

A medical assessment helps show the nature of your injury. It can also explain your recovery, your treatment needs and any future support you may need.

Your solicitor will arrange an independent medical assessment where needed. This report helps us value your personal injury compensation claim.

Step 4: Negotiation and compensation

Once the evidence is ready, we will calculate the compensation you may be able to claim. This can include general damages for pain and suffering. It can also include special damages for financial losses, expenses, medical care and future loss.

We will then negotiate with the other side. Our aim is to secure the right compensation for your injury and the wider impact on your life.

Step 5: Court proceedings where needed

Many UK personal injury claims are resolved without a court hearing. If court proceedings are needed, JMW will explain what happens and provide legal representation throughout.

We will keep you informed at every stage. Our solicitors will make sure you fully understand the claims process and what each step means for you.

For more information, visit our Lifecycle of a Personal Injury Claim page.

How Much Is a Personal Injury Claim Worth?

The value of a personal injury compensation claim depends on the injury and how it has affected your life. This means there is no fixed amount of compensation for every injury type.

Your solicitor will assess the full impact of your injury before advising you on how much compensation you may be able to claim. This includes the pain you have experienced, your recovery, your treatment needs and any financial losses linked to the accident.

Personal injury compensation is usually split into two main parts.

General damages

General damages compensate you for the injury itself. This includes pain, suffering and the effect the injury has had on your day-to-day life.

The value will depend on factors such as:

• The type of injury
• How serious the injury is
• How long recovery may take
• Whether there is any long-term impact
• How the injury affects your independence, work and usual activities

Special damages

Special damages compensate you for financial losses and expenses caused by the injury. These may include:

• Lost earnings
• Future loss of earnings
• Medical care and rehabilitation
• Travel expenses
• Care and support
• Changes to your home or vehicle
• Damaged belongings
• Treatment costs
• Support services
• Other expenses linked to the accident

Your solicitor will help you gather evidence for these losses. This may include payslips, receipts, medical records, invoices and expert reports.

What affects how much compensation I can claim?

Several factors can affect the value of a compensation claim. These include:

• The severity of your injury
• The evidence available about what happened
• Your medical assessment
• Your expected recovery
• The cost of treatment and support
• Whether you need ongoing medical care
• The financial impact on you and your family
• Whether you need help from a friend or family member
• Whether you have future loss of earnings
• How the injury affects your daily life

JMW’s personal injury solicitors will take time to fully understand your situation. We will then explain what you may be able to claim for and how your compensation is calculated.

Click on the banner below to use our personal injury compensation calculator to learn how much compensation you could be entitled to.

Choosing A Personal Injury Solicitor

Choosing the right personal injury solicitor can help you feel clear about your options from the start.

You should look for a solicitor with experience in cases like yours. Personal injury cases can involve road traffic accidents, personal injury at work, public liability claims, serious injury and life changing injuries. A specialist personal injury solicitor will understand how to assess your injury, evidence, treatment needs and compensation.

It is also important to understand how legal costs will be handled. Many personal injury claims are made on a no win, no fee basis. This is also known as a conditional fee agreement. Your solicitor should explain legal fees clearly before you decide whether to begin your claim.

You may also want to check whether the solicitor has recognised accreditations and experience in complex claims. This can help you choose legal representation with the right knowledge and support around it.

JMW’s personal injury solicitors provide clear legal help from your first enquiry. We will explain your options, the claims process and the support available to you. We will also help you understand whether you can make a personal injury compensation claim and what happens next.

Why Choose JMW?

Due to our decades of success in the area of personal injury, JMW has received recognition from prestigious legal institutions, such as the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Guides. We also have accredited APIL specialist lawyers in brain injury and spinal cord injury, guaranteeing you a tailored and supportive service in these sensitive areas. When you work with JMW, you can be sure that you have an expert personal injury lawyer at your side.

Each year, our personal injury lawyers secure millions of pounds in compensation for clients across the UK by taking positive action on their behalf and presenting the strongest possible case. We pride ourselves on providing a very high level of customer service and understand how a personal injury can have an impact on your day-to-day life.

Browse our success stories on our case studies section to understand why people choose JMW to pursue personal injury compensation.

When making a claim for personal injury with JMW, you are at minimal financial risk. This is due to the fact that we operate on a no win, no fee basis for all of our personal injury claims. No win, no fee means you will only have to pay your legal fees to us if we win your case, and these will be included in the calculation of your compensation payout.

"I cannot speak highly enough of Cathy Leech of JMW Solicitors, who represented me and my family following the death of my husband in an accident.

She achieved the perfect balance of professionalism with the best traits of humanity, whilst guiding me through the legal system.

She was thorough, immensely knowledgeable, contactable, responsive, proactive, sensitive, and inclusive and kept me updated on developments throughout, all the while sensitively managing my emotions, fears, and expectations. Her eye for legal detail and nuances was impressive and I felt safe under her wing throughout the legal process.

Thank you Cathy for all your hard work and kindness. You made a real difference during the worst time of my life and allowed us as a family to fully understand the circumstances around the accident and my husband's death which will give us lifelong comfort. I hope this testimonial gives others reassurance to instruct you and benefit in the same way."

Amanda Phillips

Personal Injury Solicitors Near You

Our personal injury solicitors support people across England and Wales. We have offices in Manchester, London and Liverpool, and can speak to you by phone, video call or in person where needed. We work all across the country, and in serious cases travel to visit our clients in their homes. 

You do not need to choose a solicitor based only on location. It is more important to choose a specialist personal injury solicitor with the right experience for your claim.

Wherever you are based in England or Wales, we will explain your options clearly. We will also guide you through the claims process and help you understand whether you can claim compensation.

Q

How long does a personal injury claim take?

A

We will strive to handle your case quickly and efficiently by providing you with comprehensive advice throughout proceedings. However, it is difficult to give an exact timescale for when a claim will be settled, as there are many factors that can influence the length of time it can take.

Fundamentally, our goal is to establish that your settlement award adequately reflects the impact your injury has had on your life, ensuring you are able to meet medical expenses and other financial outlays caused as a result of your accident. Assessing the full impact an injury has had on you, as well as dealing with the defendant may take time, but it is time well spent. While we are working to settle your claim, our team will do their best to keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Q

Are there personal injury claim time limits?

A

Generally speaking, personal injury claims caused by somebody else’s negligence can be started up to three years after the accident. However, there are some notable exceptions to this; many asbestos-related and industrial diseases do not become apparent until some time after exposure.

For injuries caused by a criminal offence and where you have to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), the time limit is two years after the incident.

Children who suffer injuries can have a claim made on their behalf by a parent or guardian immediately after the accident and up to the age of 18. Once a child reaches 18 years old, they then have three years to make a claim for an injury if a parent or guardian has not already done so. If someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, the time limit does not apply until they regain capacity, and a litigation friend can make a claim on their behalf. Different time limits can apply to accidents happening when travelling or abroad 

Ultimately, if you know you would like to make a claim, it is best to contact us as soon as possible after your injury as this enables us to get to work on your case quickly and minimises the chances of any time limit issues we may encounter.

Learn more about the time limits involved in making a personal injury claim.

Q

Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Court?

A

Most personal injury claims are resolved before any court proceedings become necessary, so the chance of your personal injury claim going to court is low. This is due to the fact that the court process can be lengthy and complex for the other party, just as much as it is for you. The other party may agree to pay your compensation instead of trying to fight a difficult legal battle, or they may have insurance in place to cover this.

We always work to reduce how many personal injury claims go to court; we will attempt to mediate with the other party and come to an agreement regarding your compensation award. However, if we can not come to an agreement, we will fight your case in court to secure you the right payout so you can get the support you need.

Learn more about our approach to personal injury claims.

Q

What Will Your Solicitor Need From You?

A

To make a personal injury claim, you and your solicitor will need to gather evidence that supports your claim. The specialist personal injury solicitors at JMW will investigate your situation and help you to identify and gather this information. Often, there is more supporting evidence available than our clients are aware of, and our team - which has decades of experience in handling personal injury claims - will be able to support you in this stage of the claim.

Following your injury, you should do your best to take photos or videos of the accident scene, and speak to any witnesses, recording their contact details. While your first priority should be to seek medical help, this can significantly help with your claim. If there is someone with you who you trust, ask them to carry out this step for you as you are seen to by a medical professional.

Any communications, such as letters, emails or text messages that may prove your intentions before your accident, display admissions of responsibility from the responsible party, or that contain information that validates your accident, will also serve as strong evidence.

Once you are seen by a medical professional or a therapist, any medical reports they produce will serve as proof of your injuries, and the professionals may be able to provide a witness statement of their own.

Finally, receipts and transaction information will show proof of your expenses caused by your personal injury.

Q

Can I make a claim for a child?

A

When someone under the age of 18 has been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault, a responsible person aged 18 or over can make a claim on their behalf. This person, known as a ‘litigation friend’ in legal terms, is usually one of the child’s parents; however, grandparents and other relatives are also able to act on behalf of the child.

Q

Can I make a claim for multiple injuries?

A

If you have suffered multiple injuries following any kind of accident, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation. When it comes to dealing with claims where someone has suffered multiple injuries, we tackle the injuries together, looking at the pain, suffering and financial losses endured as a whole. As with any other injury claim, the goal is to ensure that you are put back in the position you would have been in, but for the accident. We have handled successful claims for the following types of injuries in many different combinations:

• Orthopaedic injuries
• Neurological injuries
• Damage to internal organs
• Nerve damage
• Muscle damage
• Brain damage
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Paralysis

Catastrophic injuries such as brain or spinal damage, generally involve a lengthy recovery process and severe physical and psychological trauma. Multiple injuries can mean this process is lengthier than it would be when you have just one injury to recover from. They can also have a detrimental effect on your everyday life because you may be unable to work, need to rely on others to care for you or lose certain functions in your body.

We understand how tough they can be to deal with, but rest assured, our team will do everything we can to help you if you find that you or a loved one has been put in this position by someone else’s negligence.

You can also make a claim if your situation has included an element of medical negligence in addition to any injuries you have suffered. Our top-rated clinical negligence team will deal with these claims.

Q

What does no win, no fee mean?

A

Many personal injury claims can be made on a no win, no fee basis. This means you can start a personal injury claim without paying legal fees upfront.

A no win, no fee agreement is also known as a conditional fee agreement. Your solicitor will explain how this works before your claim begins. They will also explain any legal costs that may apply if your claim is successful.

This helps you understand the fee agreement from the start. It also means you can make an informed decision about taking legal action.

JMW’s personal injury solicitors will discuss funding with you during your first conversation. We will explain whether a no win, no fee personal injury claim may be available in your case. We will also answer any questions you have about legal fees and the claims process.

You can read more on our dedicated no win, no fee personal injury claims page.

Q

Can I make a claim for someone who has died?

A

If an accident has resulted in the death of a loved one and it was caused by another person, then a family member can make a claim on their behalf. A compensation award will take into consideration pain and suffering caused, funeral expenses and whether anyone was financially dependent on the deceased. A bereavement award will also be included in final settlements. You have three years from the date that the family member passed away to pursue such a claim.

Q

Do I have to take the defendant's first offer?

A

Absolutely not! Remember, a personal injury claim is intended to put you back in the position you would have been, were it not for your injury. If the first offer that a defendant makes does not enable you to meet the needs you had before the accident, you are not obliged to take it.

Once your claim has been resolved and a final compensation sum agreed, you cannot revisit or reopen your claim, meaning that you need to think very carefully about any offer you accept and make sure it is in line with what you expect to receive. This is also why it is very important you give us as much information as possible about how the accident has affected your day-to-day life, as it enables us to build up a picture of your needs and how much compensation we need to fight for on your behalf.

To read more about why your claim is best handled by a solicitor rather than dealing directly with an insurance company representing a defendant, click here.

Q

Can you take over from my current lawyers?

A

If you are concerned that your current solicitors are not handling your personal injury claim well, speak to us as soon as possible. We may be able to take over from your current solicitors and get your claim back on the rails.