When is it worth making claim?

Not all claims for compensation will be successful, and some may not be worth pursing at all.

What makes a case worth pursuing will vary from one compensation solicitor to another. A thorough knowledge of all the relevant legislation is needed to ensure that your solicitor takes your case on because he or she thinks you have a high chance of winning.

Making the decision about taking on a compensation case is based largely on your account of the accident, supported by reports or documentation. For this reason, it’s important that you tell the truth when you first see your solicitor and that you give a full account of the accident, the actions you took afterwards and the long-term effects on your health and your lifestyle.

In deciding whether to take on your case, a compensation solicitor will consider the following:

• Third party fault. In order for a compensation claim to succeed, you must be able to demonstrate that someone else is responsible for your injuries.
  
  
• Evidence of injuries. You will need to show that you sustained injuries that affected your way of life and caused you significant inconvenience. You should have a note of the injuries you received at the time and anything that you are still suffering from.
  
  
• Medical reports. If you have been seen by emergency staff or visited the doctor for your injuries, you should have a record or a report which details your injuries, how you received them and the treatment prescribed.
  
  
• Timescale. Usually, you are only able to claim for your injuries within three years of the incident, although there are exceptions to this rule.
  
  

After speaking to you and reviewing your story and the information you bring with you, your compensation solicitor will talk to you about whether or not you should proceed with your case. If he or she thinks that you have a strong case, then you can ask them about their fee charges and how the compensation is awarded if the claim is successful. You may also be asked to see an independent medical expert and your solicitor will make it clear to you that you should be prepared for the case to take a certain amount of time and that you will be asked to sign papers that support the validity of your claim.

If you think your case meets the criteria above and you would like to speak to a compensation solicitor, please give us a call.

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