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Personal injury claims · England & Wales

Personal Injury Claims Solicitors — No Win No Fee

If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation — and you pay nothing upfront to find out. We act for injured people across England and Wales, from road traffic accidents and workplace injuries to serious, life-changing harm.

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Free, no obligation, No Win No Fee.

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No Win No Fee: The law limits our success fee to 25% of the compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and for past financial losses, after any state benefits are repaid. Compensation for future losses is not counted. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. Any After the Event insurance premium is payable only if you win, and is never charged upfront. Your letter of engagement sets out exactly what you will pay for your type of claim, and we explain it before you sign. If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms. See exactly what you pay.

Written by Leanne Henton, Head of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence.
Reviewed by Leanne Henton on .
In short

You can make a personal injury claim in England and Wales if you were injured in the last three years because someone else failed to take reasonable care. Most claims settle without going to court. NJS Law works on a No Win No Fee basis: you pay nothing upfront and, in most cases, nothing if you lose.

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Figures verified with NJS Law on 9 November 2026.

On this page

Personal injury claims at a glance

Time limit to claim3 years from the accident, or from the date you knew the injury was linked to negligence (Limitation Act 1980)
Cost to youNo Win No Fee — nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful
Typical compensationUp to £533,720 for the injury itself, plus financial losses (Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026))
How long it takes9–18 months for most road traffic claims; 2–5 years for serious injury
Will I go to court?Rarely — the majority of claims settle without a hearing
Partly at fault?You can still claim; compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of blame
Who regulates usSolicitors Regulation Authority, SRA No. 8006550

Which type of personal injury claim do I have?

Most claims fall into one of these. Each page explains who can claim, the time limits and what your claim could be worth, and each one links back here.

Road traffic accident claimsCar, van, bike and pedestrian accidents, including non-fault car accidents. Whiplash claimsThe 2025 tariff, the OIC portal and what you can claim on top. Passenger claimsHurt as a passenger, even if the driver is a friend or family. Accidents at workInjuries caused by unsafe work, equipment or training. Serious injuryLife-changing injuries, interim payments and rehabilitation. No Win No Fee explainedWhat you pay if you win, and what happens if you lose. Claims we wonReal results and client interviews. Whiplash: how much can I claim?The tariff amounts explained.

Read the full guide to making a personal injury claim.

Could you be entitled to personal injury compensation?

You may be eligible to claim if all three of the following apply:

1

You suffered a physical or psychological injury

2

It happened within the last three years (or another time limit applies)

3

Another person, business or organisation was fully or partly at fault

You can still claim if the accident was partly your fault — this is called contributory negligence. Time limits apply — check yours.Find out if I can claim — free

What is a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim is the legal process for seeking compensation when you've been physically or psychologically injured because someone else was negligent. In England and Wales, if a person, business or organisation failed in their duty of care towards you — and that failure caused your injury — you have the right to claim. This principle comes from Donoghue v Stevenson [1932], the foundation of personal injury law.

For a claim to succeed, three things need to be established:

01

Duty of care existed

The responsible party owed you a legal duty to take reasonable care — employers, road users, property occupiers and public authorities.

Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · Occupiers' Liability Act 1957
02

That duty was breached

Their conduct fell below what was objectively reasonable. The question is not intent.

Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562
03

The breach caused harm

There must be a direct link between the breach and measurable injury, loss or need for treatment.

Causation — the "but for" test

Who can make a personal injury claim?

SituationEligible?Notes
Employee injured at work YesEmployer duty under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Road traffic accident victim YesCar, motorcycle, cycling, pedestrian and passenger claims
Slip, trip or fall in a public place YesIf the occupier or local authority was negligent
Child injured in an accident Yes3-year limit begins at 18; claim can be made up to age 21
Person lacking mental capacity YesA litigation friend can claim for them. If they lacked capacity when injured, the time limit does not start until they regain it
Injured abroad YesDifferent limits apply — can be as short as 1 year
Partially at faultPossiblyCompensation reduced proportionately, but the claim remains valid
Uninsured or untraced driver YesClaim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)

Not sure whether your situation qualifies? Check my eligibility

How long do I have to make a personal injury claim?

In England and Wales you have three years from the date of your injury — or the date you first became aware of it — to start a claim, under the Limitation Act 1980. Missing this deadline will almost always mean losing your right to claim. Important exceptions apply:

Type of claimLimitation periodNotes
Standard personal injury3 yearsFrom date of accident or date of knowledge
Child injury claimUntil age 213-year clock begins on 18th birthday
Mental incapacityDoes not startWhile the person lacks capacity from the date of injury. If capacity is lost later, the time limit keeps running
Fatal accident claims3 yearsFrom date of death or the dependant's date of knowledge
Personal injury claim time limits — a full breakdown

How much compensation can I claim for a personal injury?

There's no fixed amount. Compensation has two parts: general damages for the injury itself, valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026), and special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical costs and care.

Type of injuryKey factorsIndicative range
Minor soft tissue / whiplashRecovery period, impact on daily activitiesFixed tariff if it was a road accident and lasted up to 2 years; otherwise a JCG band (up to £10,420 for a minor neck or back injury that recovers within two years)
Moderate back injuryDuration of symptoms, impact on mobility and work£16,520 to £51,230
Serious leg / limb injuryMultiple fractures, permanent disability, amputation£36,680 to £372,570
Head and brain injuryCognitive impairment, personality change, long-term care£2,920 to £533,720

Indicative ranges only. Special damages are assessed separately and may significantly increase the total. See the full compensation table in our guide.

What have we won for people in your position?

Accident at work£3.7m for a warehouse worker seriously injured at workOur client was seriously injured in a forklift accident at work, leaving him unable to return to his job. We proved the…Read the case

See our case studies

Figures are compensation before any deductions.

What types of personal injury claims do we handle?

Accident at work claimsInjured due to unsafe conditions or employer negligence. Occupiers' liability claimsAccidents on unsafe or poorly maintained premises. Public liability claimsFrom slips in shops to accidents in parks. Supermarket accident claimsSpillages, unsafe shelving and falling objects. Slip, trip & fall claimsIn public places and workplaces. Pavement accident claimsUneven paving and defective walkways. Shopping accident claimsShopping centres and retail spaces. Animal injury claimsInjuries caused by an owner's negligence.

Articles: Personal injury claims

How do our personal injury solicitors support your claim?

We assess the full impact. Work, relationships and long-term health — not just the diagnosis.
We build your evidence. Medical records, accident reports, witnesses and CCTV — you don't need to gather it.
We instruct independent medical experts whose report forms the basis of your valuation.
We calculate every financial loss — earnings, travel, family care, adaptations, future treatment.
We seek interim payments so you're supported before settlement.
We negotiate firmly — and go to court if a fair settlement isn't offered.

How do I make a personal injury claim? A step-by-step guide

Making a claim with NJS Law follows five clear stages, from your first free call to settlement.

1

Free case assessment · 1–2 weeks

We confirm whether you have a valid claim, likely value and timescales — at no cost.

2

Funding agreement

We set up your No Win No Fee CFA and After the Event insurance to protect you from costs.

3

Gathering evidence · 4–12 weeks

Medical records, accident reports, witness statements, CCTV and expert reports.

4

Letter of Claim · defendant has up to 3 months to respond

A formal letter goes to the responsible party under the Pre-Action Protocol.

5

Negotiation & settlement · 3–6 months after response

Most claims settle without court. If disputed, proceedings can add 12–24 months.

How long does a personal injury claim take?

Road traffic accidents
9–18 months
Where liability is clear
Employer / public liability
12–24 months
Depends on complexity
Serious & catastrophic injury
2–5 years
Long-term prognosis needed

What does No Win No Fee mean?

If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay us nothing in most cases. The arrangement is called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA):

Nothing upfront and nothing during the case, however long it takes.
If you win, our fee is taken from your compensation — we explain exactly how it works before anything is signed.
If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms.
Read our full No Win No Fee guide

Can I get a quick answer in under a minute?

All Legal Minute Monday videos
<60s
Legal Minute MondayWhat am I eligible to claim for after a personal injury?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
<60s
Legal Minute MondayHow long does a serious injury claim take?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
<60s
Legal Minute MondayWhat happens if the other party denies responsibility?Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
PodcastPersonal Injury PodcastFull episodes with our solicitors, plus a written transcript. Listen + read transcript
Legal Lingo

What do the legal terms mean?

All Legal Lingo terms
Legal LingoContributory negligence

When you're found partly responsible for your accident. You can still claim, but compensation is reduced by your share of blame.

Read more
Legal LingoConditional Fee Agreement (CFA)

The legal name for a No Win No Fee agreement — what you pay if you win, and that you pay nothing if you don't.

Read more
Legal LingoAfter the Event (ATE) insurance

Insurance that covers the other side's legal costs and some expenses if your claim is unsuccessful.

Read more
Legal LingoGeneral damages

Compensation for the injury itself — pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Read more
Legal LingoSpecial damages

Compensation for financial losses — lost earnings, medical costs, travel and care.

Read more
Legal LingoLimitation period

The legal deadline for starting a claim — usually three years under the Limitation Act 1980.

Read more

Why choose NJS Law for your personal injury claim?

We only act for injured people — never insurers, employers or defendants.
We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.
Plain English at every step — you'll always know where you stand.
Regulated by the SRA — SRA No. 8006550.
"Every personal injury claim is different. What matters to us is understanding the full impact on your life — not just the injury itself. We gather the evidence, value your claim and negotiate with the insurer."
Leanne HentonHead of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence

Read what our clients say on Trustpilot.

Who will handle my personal injury claim?

Leanne HentonLeanne HentonHead of Personal Injury and Medical NegligenceView profile Angela CrossAngela CrossPersonal Injury SolicitorView profile Laura ManiakLaura ManiakPersonal Injury SolicitorView profile Andrew MooresAndrew MooresEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile Curtis LockstonCurtis LockstonEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile Joanne ScrivensJoanne ScrivensEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile Mark SammansMark SammansEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile Sian RickwoodSian RickwoodEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile Nicole ParrNicole ParrEL/PL Litigation ExecutiveView profile

Not ready to claim yet? Where can I read more?

Free guides, eBooks and articles on your rights.

GuidePersonal Injury Claims: a complete guideThe process, time limits, compensation and what to expect. ArticlePersonal injury claim time limits: a full breakdownWhen your clock started and whether an exception applies. ArticleAverage personal injury compensation payouts in the UKTypical awards across claim types — and what affects yours. ArticleInterim payments: getting money before settlementAccessing part of your compensation early.
Free eBookPersonal Injury

What else do people ask about personal injury claims?

What is a personal injury claim?
A legal process for seeking compensation when you've been physically or psychologically injured because someone else was negligent. If a person, business or organisation failed in their duty of care and that caused your injury, you can claim.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes. Your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility — known as contributory negligence. If you were found 20% responsible, your award would be reduced by 20%.
Will I have to go to court?
Most claims settle out of court. Only a small percentage go to trial — and if yours does, we'll represent and support you every step of the way.

Where do these figures come from?

  • Limitation Act 1980
  • Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) for the Assessment of General Damages, 18th edition
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · Occupiers' Liability Act 1957
  • Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562
  • Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims

More personal injury claims we handle

Injured and not sure where to start?

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