Serious Injury Claims
If you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim. By claiming the money to which you are entitled, you can cover any costs that have occurred as a direct result of the accident and take time to focus on your recovery.
At JMW Solicitors, our injury lawyers have years of experience achieving financial settlements for clients who have become seriously injured following the negligence of a third party. We approach such matters sensitively and take on as much of the responsibility as we can to make your claim as stress-free as possible.
For comprehensive and reliable legal advice on catastrophic injury claims, call us on 0345 872 6666 or get in touch via the online contact form.
On this page
- What our clients say
- How JMW can help
- Our services
- How much compensation will I receive?
- How is compensation calculated in a serious injury case?
- What are the time limits for making a serious injury claim?
- How long will the process of making a claim take?
- Living with a catastrophic or serious injury
- Why choose JMW?
- FAQs about catastrophic & serious injury claims
What Our Clients Say
How JMW Can Help
Our sympathetic, professional and focused approach to catastrophic and serious injury claims sets us apart from others. As serious injury lawyers, we understand that you will be facing one of the most challenging times of your life, and we are dedicated to guiding you through it. One of the ways we will do this is by easing the financial burden that can come with such injuries, by helping you to make a claim for compensation.
Serious injury compensation claims are typically made by people who have head or spinal injuries and cover a wide range of essential costs, such as:
- Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation and care
- Loss of earnings
- Surgery
- Transport
- Property modifications
Our expert catastrophic injury solicitors handle each case in the same way: with sensitivity, care and transparency. We always try to create a close working relationship with our clients.
We are proud of the lengths we go to in the serious injury compensation claims we deal with, leaving no stone unturned as we compile a thorough and detailed case to improve the likelihood of your success in pursuing damages. We are here to help, and we will guide you through the process from beginning to end. We will keep you updated regularly and do as much of the work as possible on your behalf, so you can focus on your recovery.
Our Services
Injuries that affect the head, brain, spine, spinal cord injuries or neck, or that lead to paralysis, death or amputation, are generally defined as serious due to the significant impact they can have on a person’s life. Additionally, we have experience in handling a host of differing catastrophic injury claims on behalf of individuals who have suffered as the result of another person’s negligence, including:
- Amputation claims
- Burns and scalding
- Head injuries
- Loss of sight
- Serious child injuries
- Fatalities
- Spinal injuries
It is our experience that often, an accident that can cause serious harm may lead to multiple severe injuries. Our team is experienced in dealing with such cases and can ensure that individuals who are suffering from more than one serious injury receive the support and compensation they need for all of their injuries.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive?
The amount of compensation you can secure in a serious injury compensation claim varies significantly from case to case. Factors such as the severity of the injury, the long-term consequences, and the costs incurred for medical treatment and care, can all influence the final settlement amount. Compensation can also account for loss of earnings, emotional distress, and any necessary alterations to your living conditions, such as property modifications.
At JMW Solicitors, we are well-versed in serious injury law and have a history of securing substantial amounts for our clients. This experience allows us to provide an initial evaluation of how much compensation you might be entitled to.
How Is Compensation Calculated in a Serious Injury Case?
In serious injury cases, calculating compensation can be difficult due to the various impacts such injuries have on your life. It isn't just about immediate medical expenses or loss of earnings; the long-term needs, psychological trauma and sometimes even the impact on family members who might become caretakers must be taken into consideration
The compensation is usually broken down into two key categories:
General damages cover the physical and psychological effects of the injury. Based on the Judicial College Guidelines, the more severe these are, the higher this aspect of your compensation amount is likely to be. Due to the nature of catastrophic and serious injuries, this can be valued highly.
Special damages cover the financial aspects of your injury, including:
- Immediate and ongoing medical costs
- Loss of earnings, both present and future
- Costs of rehabilitation and any future treatments or surgeries
- Expenses for modifications to your home or vehicle
- Costs incurred by family members in relation to care or loss of income
Our expert catastrophic injury claims solicitors at JMW Solicitors will engage with medical professionals, occupational therapists and even forensic accountants to arrive at a sum that genuinely reflects your needs and secures your future wellbeing.
What Are the Time Limits for Making a Serious Injury Claim?
In most cases, you will be required to begin your compensation claim within three years of the date that the injury took place. For cases involving children, a serious injury claim can be made any time up until their 18th birthday. From this date, they will have the usual three years that applies to adults. If you are claiming for someone who lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply.
However, if your accident could be considered catastrophic, you may be eligible for an extension. To find out more, contact an expert personal injury solicitor from JMW.
How Long Will the Process of Making a Claim Take?
Serious injury claims vary widely in the time taken to complete depending on the complexity of the case. Factors such as evidence can have a large impact on the time taken; the more that is needed, the harder it may be to gather, and the longer the claim will take as a result.
If a case starts a long time after the date of the accident, certain types of evidence can be more difficult to obtain - for example, accurate eyewitness testimony. For this reason, you should seek guidance from legal experts as soon as possible following a serious or catastrophic accident.
Our team of serious injury claims solicitors will work to make the process run as smoothly as possibly, without sacrificing your chances of securing the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. We understand that the financial aspect is just one part of a larger, often emotional, life change. Rest assured, we'll keep you updated throughout.
Living with a Catastrophic or Serious Injury
Serious injuries, especially catastrophic injuries, can have a devastating impact on the lives of both the injured party and their family, and have significant financial and emotional consequences. You could be left with lifelong disabilities that require regular care, or need to make changes to your home in order to ensure it adequately fits your requirements. This may also leave you with a limited ability to work, or unable to do the job you previously held.
People with catastrophic and life-changing injuries are often left wondering how they will fund the specialist and ongoing care and equipment that they require for the rest of their lives. Claiming compensation for your accident can sometimes help with these concerns, as the compensation you will receive will provide recompense for your pain and suffering, as well as all financial outlays you are faced with as a result of your injuries. It is fair to say that making a compensation claim can be crucial to ensuring you are able to have the best quality of life possible following a serious injury.
The laws surrounding serious injury compensation were designed to help you and your family cover these expenses.
Why Choose JMW?
Our firm has decades of experience in the area of personal injury to draw from. As serious injury solicitors, we’ve proudly helped many people to claim compensation following a serious injury, aiding them in securing the finances and support they need and deserve. Due to our successes, JMW has received recognition from prestigious legal guides such as the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. When you work with us, you can be confident that you have experts and specialists at your back, ready to help you with any aspect of serious injury claims.
We approach all of our personal injury claims, including those for catastrophic and serious injuries, on a no win, no fee basis. This means that, when you make a claim with us, you are at minimal financial risk. We will not expect you to pay our fees if we are not successful in securing your compensation amount, and we won’t spring any unexpected costs on you - instead, we will discuss the chances of further costs arising during your initial consultation so you can make the right decision for you.
FAQS About Catastrophic and Serious Injury Claims
- What qualifies as a serious injury?
In the context of UK law, a serious injury typically refers to those that have a long-term or permanent impact on the injured person's life. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Head or brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Severe burns or scalds
- Loss of sight
- Injuries that require amputations
Essentially, a serious injury is one that significantly affects your ability to go about your daily life, often requiring ongoing medical care and treatment, or substantial changes to your living conditions.
At JMW Solicitors, we're experienced in all aspects of serious injury law, and we can help you identify whether your injury would be classified as serious for the purposes of making a compensation claim.
- How are serious injuries different from other personal injury cases?
Serious injuries stand apart from other personal injury cases due to their severity and the long-term impact they have on the injured party and those around them. While typical personal injury claims might involve minor injuries with a full recovery, serious injury compensation claims often involve life-altering conditions that can result in ongoing medical costs, loss of earnings and a significant decrease in quality of life.
Additionally, serious injury claims often require a greater level of expertise to navigate successfully. They can be complex, requiring a variety of medical and sometimes psychological assessments, along with a careful calculation of future needs and expenses. Therefore, having a catastrophic injury claims solicitor with a focused understanding of serious injury law can be vital for securing the appropriate compensation.
At JMW Solicitors, we are committed to ensuring you get the very best legal support throughout your claim. Whether you're dealing with spinal injuries, amputations or other catastrophic conditions, we're here to help you through this difficult period in your life.
- How is liability determined in serious injury law?
Determining liability in serious injury cases can be a complex process that often involves thorough investigation and gathering of evidence. Typically, liability is established by proving negligence on the part of a third party, be it an individual, organisation or even a governmental body. This can be done through various means, such as eyewitness accounts, expert testimonies and medical reports, among other types of evidence.
Establishing liability requires showing that:
- The other party had a duty of care towards you
- They breached this duty
- This breach directly led to your injury
Given the complex nature of serious injury law, it's essential to work with skilled serious injury claims solicitors like those at JMW Solicitors. We take on the responsibility of gathering all the required evidence to substantiate your claim, ensuring that every aspect of the case is meticulously prepared to prove liability.
Talk to Us
To get in touch with the catastrophic and serious injury compensation claims experts at JMW Solicitors and discuss your options, call 0345 872 6666 or fill in the online contact form.