Do I have a claim?

To bring a successful claim, we need to be able to show that your injury was caused by the fault of someone else such as an individual, a company or a local authority and prove that it caused injury and loss.

How do I start a claim?

Contact one of our personal injury team members via email or telephone – click here for contact details. We will usually gather information via telephone in the first instance to help us advise you. We may need to carry out research and consider any documents you may have before completing our advice.

We will then conduct an investigation into your claim. This will involve preparing a letter of claim to the opponent, obtaining copies of your relevant medical records and then instructing an independent specialist medical expert.

What happens next?

Once a letter of claim has been sent, your opponent will have 3 weeks to acknowledge the letter and then a further period of up to 3 months in which to investigate the claim and admit or dispute liability. Often, liability is admitted well within this 3 month period. If liability is admitted, we will obtain your medical records and instruct an independent expert to examine you and compile a report based on your injuries. This will be used to negotiate your compensation with the opponent.

What will it cost me?

Contacting us for initial advice about your claim will cost nothing. If we advise you to pursue a claim, we will review with you all the options for funding your claim, including “No Win, No Fee.”

What is “No Win No Fee”?

This is also known as a conditional fee agreement and gives you security and peace of mind when making a personal injury claim. We will always do our best to ensure that your case is successful and that you recover the damages you deserve. If you win, you keep 100% of your compensation. If you lose, we do not charge you a penny for the work we have done (no win, so no fee). Furthermore, we will ensure that you have insurance cover in respect of any expenses incurred in pursuing the claim as well as any legal costs which your opponent may have incurred. In other words, if you lose your claim, you will not owe us or your opponent a penny. You can therefore pursue your claim through Challinors without having to worry about any financial implications.

Will I have to go to Court?

We always try to settle claims as soon as possible without the need for Court proceedings, often through negotiation or mediation.

Are there any time limits for making a claim?

Yes. You must commence County Court or High Court proceedings within 3 years of the date of the incident or from the date when you knew (or should have suspected) that the injury was significant and could be due to the fault of your opponent. In claims involving children this time limit does not start to run until the child’s 18th birthday.

It is best not to wait until this time limit is due to run out but to contact us as soon as you think that you may have a claim.

How long will it take?

Simple cases can be concluded within 6 months but more complex cases often take 1 to 2 years to conclude. Of course, if a long term medical prognosis cannot be given within this time-frame, the duration of the case will be longer.

Do I have to wait until the end of the case to receive my compensation?

No. If liability is admitted and your opponent is insured, we can obtain an interim payment on account of your final award to help you overcome any financial difficulties or to fund medical rehabilitation.

How do I contact you?

Contact one of our personal injury team members via email or telephone, or complete our on-line enquiry form and one of our team will be happy to advise you without any charge or obligation.

For team contact details, click here.