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If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a serious injury claim.
These claims cover life-changing injuries that affect your health, independence, finances, and everyday life—from home adaptations to loss of income and emotional wellbeing.
At Legal Expert, our specialist solicitors guide you through every step, helping prove fault and secure the maximum compensation available.
We understand the challenges serious injuries bring, and our experienced team is here to answer your questions, explain who is eligible to claim, and support you through the process.
This guide covers everything you need to know about serious injury claims, from eligibility and valuation to how our team can help you move forward with confidence.
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A serious injury is any injury that has long-term, life-changing effects on your health, mobility, or independence.
These injuries often require extended medical treatment and rehabilitation, and can impact your ability to work or enjoy daily life.
Examples include brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and loss of eyesight.
Serious injuries can happen in accidents at work, on the road, or in public places.
As we explore below, if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a serious injury claim.
All serious injury claims need to meet the following eligibility requirements to qualify:
A duty of care is a legal responsibility for your health and safety. Some examples of when you are owed one include:
To see whether you may have a valid claim, you can contact our advisors.
4.8 (466 reviews) In successful serious injury claims, compensation may include two heads:
For general damages, reference may be made to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when this head of your claim is being calculated. Various compensation guidelines are listed within this document for different severities of injuries.
The table below contains some of the JCG figures related to serious injuries. However, the top row isn’t from the JCG, and the table is meant only to provide guidance.
| Injury | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Up to £1000,000+ |
| Brain Damage- Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Amputation Of Arms- Loss Of Both Arms | £293,850 to £366,100 |
| Paralysis- Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 |
| Leg Amputations- Loss Of Both Legs | £293,850 to £344,150 |
| Injuries Affecting Sight- Total Blindness | In the region of £327,940 |
| Kidney Damage- Severe (a) | £206,730 to £256,780 |
| Scarring To Body Parts- Burns Covering At Least 40% Of The Body | Likely to exceed £127,930 |
| Back Injury- Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
4.8 (466 reviews) Compensation could not only help you feel a sense of justice after suffering a serious injury that was not your fault, but it could also help return you to the financial position you were in prior to suffering your injury.
If you have suffered a serious injury, you may have suffered a variety of financial losses. You could be compensated for these losses under special damages as part of your claim.
Some examples of costs you could be compensated for include:
Evidence will need to be provided for these financial losses. This could be in the form of bank statements, invoices and wage slips, for example.
An interim payment is when you receive a proportion of the due compensation in advance. You may apply for this payment if:
You can also use our compensation calculator or get help from our advisors in valuing your claim.
At Legal Expert, we know recovery doesn’t stop when your claim ends. Our specialist team helps you rebuild your life with ongoing support.
We connect you to rehabilitation services like physiotherapy, counselling, and home adaptations.
We coordinate with doctors and case managers for a tailored recovery plan that fits your needs.
You can get advice for returning to work, help for your family, and access to NHS or charity resources.
Legal Expert offers more than compensation—we are your partner for the future. Get in touch with our friendly team to start your recovery journey. Your well-being always comes first.
There is no single definition for “serious” injuries, but they typically refer to life-altering or catastrophic injuries that have long-term effects. Below are some common examples of serious injuries you may claim compensation for with Legal Expert.
Severe head trauma can lead to brain damage, disabilities, or paralysis after slips, falls, or road accidents.
Spinal injuries may result from car crashes or falls, often leading to long-term mobility issues or paralysis.
Workplace accidents or machinery faults can cause serious limb loss, leading to major lifestyle changes.
Severe burns or bites can cause permanent scarring and deep psychological distress.
Chemical exposure or glass injuries can lead to partial or total blindness, impacting all aspects of life.
Sadly, some catastrophic injuries are fatal. Legal Expert supports families in pursuing justice and compensation.
4.8 (466 reviews) Over the years, we’ve helped many people pursue a serious injury compensation claim. Below, you can find some of our case studies. Please note, some details have been changed to protect our clients’ confidentiality.
David suffered a spinal injury after being struck by a car while cycling to work. He needed surgery and ongoing rehab. Legal Expert gathered medical evidence and clear witness statements, securing a £315,000 payout. We arranged physiotherapy and support for David’s return to work, making sure his long-term needs were covered.
Sarah lost part of her arm in a machinery accident at a factory. Our team worked quickly with safety experts to prove employer negligence. Sarah was awarded £272,000, including funds for a prosthetic limb and home adaptations. Legal Expert supported Sarah with therapy and helped her access local disability support.
Michael sustained a severe head injury after tripping on a damaged pavement outside a shop. Legal Expert managed investigations, liaised with the council, and secured £155,000 compensation. The team helped Michael access cognitive rehabilitation and made sure his family received ongoing support.
You can claim on behalf of a loved one but you need to be mindful of the time limit in your particular case.
According to the Limitation Act 1980, the time for serious injury claims is 3 years, running from the accident date.
You can make a serious injury claim on behalf of a loved one by becoming a litigation friend if they are:
Before appointing you as a litigation friend, the court will determine your suitability against the following criteria:
Speak to us now for more information on how to claim for somebody else.
Collecting evidence is an important step in making serious injury claims. You could make use of the following as proof in support of your claim:
You might be thinking that engaging a solicitor for your serious injury compensation claim is an expensive process. However, if you choose to make your claim with us, our No Win No Fee solicitors offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under this agreement, you won’t have to pay your solicitor for their services:
In the event of a successful outcome, your solicitor will charge a success fee, which is a fixed percentage of your compensation. You need not worry about this percentage since there is a legal cap on it, and it will be discussed with you prior to the claiming process starting.
4.8 (466 reviews) Below, you can find answers to some common questions on serious injury claims.
Yes, you can often claim for serious injuries sustained abroad if another party is at fault and you have a connection to the UK. Here at Legal Expert, we specialise in accident abroad claims and can guide you through international claims and cross-border compensation.
The time varies depending on your case’s complexity and whether liability is disputed. Many claims settle in 6-18 months, but your solicitor will keep you updated throughout.
Compensation is designed to help cover future care, rehabilitation, and adaptations to your home or vehicle. Legal Expert works to ensure your payout meets your ongoing needs.
Yes. You may be able to claim as a “litigation friend” for a loved one who cannot claim for themselves, such as minors or those lacking mental capacity.
If liability is accepted, you might be eligible for interim payments—early compensation to help with urgent costs before the case is fully settled.
You can still claim, but your compensation may be reduced according to your share of responsibility. This is known as contributory negligence. Legal Expert can advise based on your circumstances.
Payouts are based on the severity of your injuries, financial losses, and prognosis. Guidelines from the Judicial College help inform typical ranges, but every case is unique.
Most claims are settled without a trial, but complex or disputed cases may require court proceedings. Legal Expert will support and represent you through every stage.
Legal Expert provides ongoing help with rehabilitation, home adaptations, returning to work, and accessing further medical or community support so you can rebuild your life.
Yes. We offer guidance and referrals for family, arranging counselling, respite care, and practical support.
