Last Updated 6th August 2025. Welcome to our guide, which is designed to answer the question, ‘How long does compensation take to come through?’

If you’ve suffered a physical or psychological injury and are in line to receive compensation, you may have many questions, such as:

• How long does compensation take to arrive in personal injury claims or other cases?
• How long does it take to receive compensation after accepting an offer?
• If my case is quite complex, how long does it take to get compensation as opposed to a more straightforward claim?

Not only does our guide cover these topics, but you can get in touch with our advisors for further free advice. You can also learn about the terms offered by our expert No Win No Fee solicitors.

Contacting us is simple and free, plus we’re available 24/7. Just choose one of these routes to begin:

• Call 0800 073 8804.
• Chat with us through the live support feature at the bottom of this page.
• Send your enquiry using our online contact form.

A Guide On How Long Compensation Takes To Come Through

We understand that when you’re injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may want to seek compensation to help you deal with the aftermath. However, it’s not always a simple process, so it can be helpful to have as much information to help ensure the process goes smoothly.

For that reason, we have created this guide to help you understand all stages of the claims process and what to expect when seeking compensation.

In this article, we will look at the different types of settlements you could receive. We’ll also look at how different factors could impact your compensation payment. Additionally, we’ll provide information on what your compensation package could include and how it’s calculated.

Furthermore, if you’re still yet to make your claim, this guide will be useful in providing you with further information on the steps you could take. For instance, the evidence you may need to obtain and your options regarding legal representation.

Despite the information we’ve covered in our guide, we understand if you still have questions. Don’t forget, our team is available 24/7 to help. Call us on the number at the top of the page for more help and advice.

Personal Injury Claim Statistics

The Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) records a number of different compensation cases from clinical negligence to road accident claims. According to CRU performance data, the number of cases registered dropped between 2023/24 and 2024/25. However, the number of settlements recorded rose from 477,220 to 447,973.

Additionally, the amount recovered rose to £1,557,350.67 in 2024/25. This is the highest amount recorded by the CRU in any year since 2010.

What Is A Compensation Claim?

The main focus of this article is, ‘How long does compensation take to come through?’ However, before addressing that question, it’s important to understand the circumstances when you can claim compensation. The conditions of a valid compensation claim are:

• Another person owed you a duty of care. This means they were supposed to ensure your safety in that situation.
• They breached this duty of care.
• You were injured as a result of this breach.

There are various situations where a duty of care exists, such as:

Public Places

The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that those in control of public places must take practical steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors. There may be grounds for a public liability claim if an injury is caused by an occupier’s failure to take measures like displaying warning signs to highlight potential hazards.

• Example:  A shop owner fails to keep the wires tidy in areas accessible to the public and staff. A customer trips over a loose wire and sustains a minor head injury.

At Work

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), employers have a responsibility towards their staff. This entails taking reasonable steps to ensure their well-being, health, and safety. If an injury results from an employer’s failure to abide by the HASAWA, the employee may have a valid accident at work claim.

• Example: An employer fails to conduct regular inspections to assess the safety of machines in a factory. This causes an employee operating one of the machines to sustain a severe arm fracture due to a catastrophic malfunction.

Medical Settings

All healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide their patients with the correct level of medical care. A medical negligence claim could arise if, say, a doctor falls below expected minimum standards and causes a patient to suffer unnecessarily.

• Example: A patient suffers an infection due to a surgeon leaving a foreign object inside their body.

On The Road

All road users must ensure that they navigate in ways that avoid causing injury. They must also follow the provisions of the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988. An injury caused by a failure to meet these obligations may result in an eligible road traffic accident claim.

• Example: A driver suffers a whiplash injury due to a sudden collision with a drink driver.

If you wish to claim compensation, please reach out to us for a free assessment of your case.

Types Of Compensation Settlement

An out-of-court settlement is a claim that’s settled between the two parties without having to go to court. This might be due to the defendant admitting liability or the claimant accepting an offer they’re happy with.

Part 36.14 of the Civil Procedure Rules states that compensation should be paid 14 days from when the offer is accepted. However, this mainly applies to out-of-court settlements.

For a case that’s settled in court, generally, the compensation should be paid within 14 days from the court hearing unless another date has been agreed on by both parties.

However, it could vary further depending on the type of claim you’re making. For more information on compensation settlements, get in touch with our team of expert advisors.

They can provide further clarification on anything you’re unsure of regarding the question: How long does compensation take to come through?

How Long Does Criminal Injury Compensation Take To Come Through?

There are several ways you could make a criminal injury claim. Therefore, the way you claim will have a bearing on how long the claims process will take.

If the defendant has been found guilty in the court of law, you could make the claim directly against them. However, there may be cases where your claim is successful, and they don’t have the means to pay compensation.

Alternatively, you can go through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This allows you to make your claim in circumstances where the defendant is unidentified, or if they don’t have the means to pay compensation.

Does It Take Long For Holiday Accident Claims Compensation To Come Through?

The nature of the holiday accident claim may influence how long compensation takes to come through. For instance, whether the claim is against a UK company or an overseas business.

If you bought a package holiday with a UK company, you could make your claim directly against the business. However, if you suffered an injury after slipping on a shop floor in a different country, it may be a different process.

Another example of this includes road traffic accident claims against a foreign lorry driver, where the green card system will be considered. A green card proves you have the minimum insurance to cover you driving in a different country. For instance, a UK citizen driving in the EU or a foreign driver in the UK.

For that reason, the type and complexity of the claim can have an effect on how long the claim may take to settle.

How Long Does Whiplash Compensation Take To Come Through?

The Whiplash Reform brought in changes to people in England and Wales who make claims for whiplash injuries. For drivers and passengers, this means that the claims process you go through can depend on the severity of your injuries.

The reform changes mean that claims for any injuries valued at less than £5,000 need to be made through the government’s online claims portal. If the injuries are valued at more than £5,000, then you can make a claim the traditional way.

This can have a bearing on how long your claim takes to settle. However, no matter whether you go through the claims portal or not, you can still seek legal representation.

If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a road traffic accident, we recommend seeking legal advice first to ensure you have an accurate estimate of your claim value. Our team can offer a free valuation of your claim to help you understand your options.

For more information on whiplash claims, you can get in touch with a member of our team using the number at the top of the page.

What Is The Time Limit For Starting My Claim?

The general time limit for starting personal injury compensation claims is 3 years, usually counted from the date of the incident.

However, there are circumstances in which the 3-year time limit will be paused if someone cannot claim on their own because they are:

• Under the age of 18
• Lack mental capacity

In the instance where someone is under the age of 18, there are a couple of things that could happen. Firstly, the 3 years won’t start until their 18th birthday. From this point, they will have three years to put forward the claim on their own behalf.

Alternatively, before they turn 18, a parent, solicitor or guardian could submit the claim on their behalf. They could do this by applying to act as a litigation friend.

A parent, solicitor or guardian could also submit a claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves, by applying to act as a litigation friend.

Additionally, the 3 years will be paused indefinitely unless mental capacity is recovered. If they recover their capacity, the time limit will start from the date of their recovery.

The time limits can seem complex, so if you have any questions, please get in touch with our team at the number above for more information.

Interim Payments

An interim payment allows you to apply for part of your compensation early. However, they are only payable in the event that the result appears to be in the claimant’s favour or the defendant admits liability.

It happens more often in cases of serious injuries. For instance, if someone suffered a severe back injury after falling over equipment left out on the stairs at work. They could apply for an interim payment to cover care costs or home adjustments that may be needed before the claim settles.

For more information, call our team at the number above.

What Factors Could Affect How Long Compensation Takes To Come Through?

As each accident and injury is so different, there are many factors that can affect the settlement time of each claim. The following factors could impact your claim and how long compensation takes to process:

• The evidence needed to support your claim
• Whether the defendant admits liability
• If there is uncertainty about the prognosis due to ongoing treatment

Additionally, the injuries you’ve sustained could impact your claim. For instance, if you have multiple injuries or severe injuries, you may need to have several medical reports completed. This could affect how long it takes for your injuries to be valued accurately, so that the full impact will be known.

Personal Injury Compensation Claims Calculator

When making a personal injury claim for compensation, if successful, you may receive a compensation package that consists of general damages and special damages. However, not every case will have special damages.

General damages allow you to claim compensation for the physical and emotional suffering you’ve endured as a result of your injury. The impact your injury has had on your quality of life will also be considered. For instance, if the injury has caused long-term issues such as a permanent disability.

If your injuries cause financial loss, then you may be able to claim special damages. We’ll discuss that in more detail shortly.

Each case may be valued using medical evidence and the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document often used by solicitors to help value general damages, as it publishes suggested compensation brackets for various injuries.

We have created an injury table below using the JCG. It’s important to note that you should use the brackets only as a guide. Please also bear in mind that the top row is not from the JCG.

If you have any questions on how compensation may be calculated, speak to our team at the number above. Alternatively, see below for more information on the special damages you could claim.

What Are Special Damages?

The special damages you could claim in compensation allow you to recover any monetary losses you’ve suffered as a result of the injury. For instance, if you’ve been left unable to work, you could claim for any loss of earnings.

If your injury means you won’t be able to work for the foreseeable future, you could claim for future loss of earnings too. This might also include an attendance bonus you’ve lost or pension contributions that you would have otherwise had.

The are other costs you could claim back might include:

• Care costs for yourself or anyone dependent on you
• Travel expenses, such as taxis to and from the hospital
• Medical expenses such as physical aids like walking sticks or crutches

However, you will require evidence to prove these losses. For instance, receipts for care costs or payslips to show any lost earnings.

How Do I Prove Liability In Compensation Claims?

To prove liability in compensation claims, it must be shown how an injury was caused by a third party breaching their duty of care.

While answering the question of ‘How long does compensation take to come through?’ above, we listed evidence as an influencing factor. This is because a strong body of evidence can firmly establish liability, demonstrate the severity of an injury, and provide insight into any long-term impacts.

Some examples of evidence include:

• Medical records, such as test results, doctor’s notes and prescriptions.
• Photographs of visible injuries or the accident site. 
• A copy of any report filed within an accident book, if injured in a public place or at work.
• Dashcam or CCTV recordings of the accident.
• Copies of the police report, if relevant.
• Contact details of eyewitnesses, who can, with their consent, later provide statements to your solicitor.
• If your injury was sustained in a road accident, you’ll also need the contact details of the other party, together with their registration, insurance, and vehicle particulars.

Our solicitors understand that proving a claim may seem challenging, especially for clients who are still recovering from their injuries. However, they equally appreciate the importance of evidence, which is why they have long helped clients gather the evidence they need.

Call our advisors now for additional guidance on collecting evidence. They can also provide further advice on the question of ‘How long does it take to receive compensation after accepting an offer?’

No Win No Fee Personal Injury Claims

If you’re still in the process of deciding whether you want to pursue your claim with or without legal representation, we have an option you may like to consider.

The option involves having a solicitor represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. This type of agreement means you avoid paying solicitor fees at the start of your case and during the course of your claim. In the event that your claim fails, you still won’t be required to pay solicitor fees.

If your claim wins, you will be required to pay a small success fee. This is a legally capped percentage that will be deducted from your compensation. However, you will be made aware of the fee by your solicitor before starting your claim.

We understand that you may have looked at submitting your claim without a solicitor; however, it can be beneficial to have legal help and advice. If this is something you’d like to explore in more detail, you can speak to one of our advisors by calling the number above.

Begin Your Claim

Whether you’re ready to start your claim or you just require further information, our team are available 24/7 to help. They can either answer your questions or assess your claim. If they find that the claim you hold is valid, they can appoint one of our solicitors to your case.

So, if you’re ready to get the compensation you deserve, get in touch with our team at the following details:

• Telephone 0800 073 8804
• Chat with an advisor at any time using the live pop-up at the bottom of this page
• Send an enquiry using our online contact form.

Related Claims

Read our guides on related claims:

• Find out how to sue a company for an injury.
• Learn about the process of claiming for serious injuries.
• Get information on personal injury claims in Scotland.

Thank you for reading our guide exploring the question: How long does compensation take to come through?