What is Personal Injury?


Have you been injured at work? Have you suffered at the hands of faulty goods or services? The chances are, you have sustained a personal injury. If an accident has occurred that you believe could have been avoided and it was not your fault, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Personal Injury Explained

In order to successfully claim personal injury, you must establish that another person was at fault for the injuries you sustained. There must have been a negligent act that has occurred which leads to you sustaining physical or psychological injuries.

There are many ways a personal injury can occur. For example, you may be involved on a road traffic accident. You can be a drive, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist that has been caught up in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another person on the road.

Another example of a common personal injury claim is someone having an accident at work. Perhaps this has occurred because you have not been provided with the appropriate safety equipment or there should have been appropriate measures in place for machinery. Either way, the employer should have avoided this accident from happening.

Other examples of personal injury include:

  • Injuries from faulty goods or negligent services
  • Injuries from hospital errors and medical negligence
  • Injuries sustained in a public place

How Much Compensation Will I Receive?

The amount of compensation you receive for your accident will vary from person to person. It is going to depend on your situation and the losses that you have incurred due to the accident.

There will be a number of factors taken into consideration when the compensation for your case is being calculated. For example, this will include the nature and seriousness of the injury and any treatment that is required. In addition, the losses in wages from being off work, as well as other expenses that have happened along the way. In order to prove special damages, you will need to have evidence. For example, make sure that you keep any receipts and invoices that you have.

The point of compensation is to put you back in the financial position you were before the accident. It can also take into account how any injuries may affect you in the future.

Is There a Time Limit on Personal Injury Claims?

There is a time limit on personal injury claims. In England and Wales, you must start the process of your claim within three years of the accident. While there are some exceptions, this is the general rule.

For children, the time limit works slightly differently. If they are young and involved in an accident, the time limit will begin when they are 18 years old. Therefore, there will be a three-year time limit from their 18th birthday. Although, this does not mean that you cannot start their case before this time. It is always recommended that you begin your personal injury case as soon as possible. This means that all of the circumstances are fresh in your mind and you are more likely to have kept evidence.

Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer

It is always best to seek legal advice when you have sustained an injury that was not your fault. This way, you can know where you stand and have a personal injury lawyer offer you help along the way. The process can be complicated and to have the best chance of success, it is best to start your case with a lawyer by your side.

When you are choosing a personal injury lawyer, it is important to take your time and choose someone that you trust. You can do research online or ask around friends and family for recommendations. Experience should be an element that is considered when you are choosing a personal injury lawyer. This can give you an advantage in a case. Most importantly, you want to feel like you can depend on them. A personal injury case can be difficult and it can be upsetting. You want to feel like your lawyer has your back and they can take some of the weight off your shoulders.

When you are choosing a lawyer to help with your personal injury, it is best to look for firms offering a no win no fee service. This means that if you do not win your personal injury case, you do not have to pay for the legal services afterwards. This offers you peace of mind and means there is no financial risk involved in your decision. Of course, if you do win your case, there will be a fee to pay for the services. But compared to your compensation, this is usually a small price to pay.