Serious Injuries

In the context of UK law, serious injuries typically refer to those that have long-term or permanent consequences, affecting the quality of your life and your ability to work or carry out daily activities. Examples of serious injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe burns
• Loss of limbs
• Multiple fractures
• Organ damage

If your injury is not listed here, call us anyway. It might be the case that you are able to make a claim for a different, more specific type of injury. When you get in contact with us, we will do our best to understand your situation and needs, and to help you.

Our team is dedicated to guiding you through the process of making a serious injury compensation claim. Our expertise covers a broad range of serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns and loss of limbs, among others.

When you first contact us, we will discuss your situation and evaluate how best we can assist you in an initial consultation. We will also outline what you can expect from making a serious injury claim, including the legal process, and your likelihood of success.

Should you choose to proceed with your serious injury claim through Ramsdens, we will guide you through the entire claim, offering advice, communicating with the necessary contacts and parties, and providing representation where needed.

The process of making a claim can be complex, but our expert serious injury specialists are here to guide you through each step. Here is a general outline of what the process will look like:

1. Initial consultation: contact us for a free initial consultation where we will discuss your case, evaluate its chances of success, and provide you with an overview of what to expect going forward. Here, we will also agree on any fees and whether you will be making a no win, no fee claim
2. Evidence gathering: if you decide to proceed with your serious injury claim, we will begin collecting evidence to support your claim. This can include medical records, expert opinions, photographs and eyewitness accounts
3. Medical assessment: we may arrange for you to be assessed by medical professionals to establish the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life
4. Claim submission: once we have all the necessary evidence, we will formally submit your claim to the negligent party or their insurance company. This is a formal step that will serve to notify them that you are taking legal action and that they will be expected to respond and take your claim seriously
5. Negotiation: we will negotiate with the other party to reach a fair settlement
6. Court proceedings: in most cases, personal injury claims are resolved without Court intervention becoming necessary. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, we will arrange for a barrister to represent you in court to argue your case
7. Compensation: if successful, you will be awarded compensation, which can cover medical expenses, loss of earnings and other damages. We will make sure the other party fulfils their obligations

Generally, for serious injury compensation claims, you have three years from the date of the accident or the date you became aware of your injuries to bring your case. However, there are exceptions:

• Children: if the injured party is a child, you can claim compensation on their behalf until they reach the age of 18. From here, they will have until the age of 21 to make a claim for themself
• Mental capacity: for individuals who lack the mental capacity to make a claim, the time limit may be extended or may not apply at all
• Criminal injuries: if your injury was the result of a criminal act, the time limit may differ, and you may need to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Our personal injury team can help you to do this too
• Fatal cases: if you are making a claim on behalf of someone who has died due to a birth injury, the three-year time limit begins from either the date of death or the date it became known that the birth injury was the cause of death

To have the best chances of meeting the deadline and making a successful claim, get in touch with our specialist serious injury team as soon as possible.

The amount of compensation you could claim for a serious injury varies depending on the specifics of your case, such as the severity of the injury, its impact on your life, and any financial losses incurred. Compensation is generally divided into two categories:

1. General damages: are awarded for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity you have experienced as a result of your injury. The amount is determined by the severity of your injury, its long-term implications and its impact on your quality of life. Medical assessments and expert opinions are often used to quantify these damages
2. Special damages: these are awarded for specific financial losses you have incurred due to the injury. This can include medical expenses, loss of earnings and the cost of ongoing care or special equipment you may need. Special damages are calculated based on evidence like bills, receipts and wage slips

During our initial discussion, we will try to provide you with an estimate of the compensation you may be entitled to. However, until an expert medical opinion is obtained, it may not be possible to provide you with an accurate estimation.

Yu can also read our guide here – How much compensation can I claim for a personal injury?