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Life Changing Injury Claims
If you’ve been left with life changing injuries in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation and support. We can help you.
What counts as a life-changing injury?
Life changing or catastrophic injuries are those that have a major impact on the person affected – either through permanent disability, ongoing health problems or reduced life expectancy.
If you’ve suffered a life changing injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. This might apply if you’ve sustained an injury such as:
- Brain damage
- Full-body or partial paralysis
- Loss of vision
- A spinal injury
- Amputation or the loss of a limb
This isn’t an exhaustive list, though. Whether you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, a road collision or through medical negligence, you could have grounds to make a claim.
It’s also possible to start the claims process for someone else. If your loved one is unable to bring a claim due to the extent of their injuries, you could do so on their behalf as a litigation friend.
Get in touch with our team for a free consultation and find out how we could help you.
Why should I make a life changing injury claim?
We understand the thought of making a claim can seem overwhelming when you’re already dealing with such a significant life change. But if your injuries were caused by someone else, it’s only right that you seek the compensation you deserve.
While making a claim won’t undo what happened, it could help you as you come to terms with your injury.
As well as accounting for your pain and suffering, any compensation you receive will cover financial losses like lost earnings, the cost of further medical treatment and specialist equipment.
Taking legal action will also highlight the negligence that led to your injuries. So you could be helping to prevent the same thing from happening to someone else.
Can I receive compensation before my case settles?
Yes, in some cases you may be able to receive compensation before your claim is fully settled. This is known as an interim payment.
These payments are designed to ease some of the financial pressure you may be facing while your claim is ongoing. They’re especially useful in cases involving life changing injuries which can take longer to resolve.
You may use an interim payment to cover costs related to:
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Specialist equipment
- Care and support
- Home adaptations
- Lost income
To find out more about these payments and when you can apply for them, take a look at our free interim payments guide.
How will First4Lawyers help?
With over 18 years of experience, we’ve helped thousands of people find specialist personal injury solicitors with the expertise needed to handle complex and serious injury cases.
If we think you have a strong case, we’ll match you with a trusted solicitor who will guide you through every stage of the claims process – from gathering evidence to securing compensation for your injuries and future care needs.
Most claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay anything upfront. There will also be no cost to you if your claim is unsuccessful.
Our team is here to help if you’re considering making a claim, we’ll talk you through your options and answer any questions you may have. Get in touch for free today.
Only pay a fee if you receive compensation
Where we offer No Win No Fee services typically customers pay 25% of the amount recovered to our solicitors, although this may be higher or lower subject to your individual circumstances. Please note this excludes claims for Road Traffic Accidents where customers typically pay 35% + VAT due to changes introduced through the Civil Liability Act 2018.
First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.
How much compensation could I receive for a life changing injury?
Life changing injuries compensation will vary depending on several factors. Your solicitor will consider the extent of your injuries, your rehabilitation needs and any future care requirements when valuing your claim.
If your case is successful, your settlement should help to cover:
- Lost earnings if you’re unable to work during your recovery
- Future loss of earnings if you’re unable to return to work or progress in the same role
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation – including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and counselling
- Care and support – whether it’s provided by professional carers or friends and family
- Home adaptations – such as wheelchair access, stairlifts, wet rooms or extensions to accommodate your needs
- Mobility aids and specialist equipment – including wheelchairs, prosthetics, communication devices and adapted vehicles
- Travel expenses for medical appointments
To help them determine how much your claim should be worth, your solicitor will refer to compensation amounts set out by the Judicial Guidelines:
| Injury | Compensation |
| Brain damage (very severe) | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Back injury (severe) | £120,340 to £212,670 |
| Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) | £428,850 to £533,720 |
| Injury causing total blindness | In the region of £355,020 |
| Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (severe) | £69,360 to £110,990 |
These are only guidelines, though. An experienced solicitor will also assess the full impact of your injuries and work to secure compensation reflecting both your current needs and future requirements.
Can I claim on behalf of a family member?
If your loved one has suffered a life-changing injury and is unable to manage their own legal affairs, you could claim on their behalf as a litigation friend.
A litigation friend – usually a family member or friend – is responsible for making decisions about the claim and will instruct solicitors with the injured person’s best interests in mind.
Litigation friends are typically appointed when the injured person lacks the mental capacity to bring their own claim – in cases involving a severe head injury, for example.
Parents and legal guardians can bring claims on behalf of children, too. Any compensation awarded will be carefully protected by the court until the child turns 18, but some funds may be accessed earlier to pay for care and rehabilitation.
How long do I have to make a life changing injury claim?
You’ll generally have three years to make a claim after suffering a life changing injury.
There are some exceptions to this rule, though. If you’re claiming on behalf of a child, you’ll have until their 18th birthday to take legal action. After this, they’ll have until they’re 21 to start a claim themselves.
If you’re making a claim for someone who is lacking mental capacity, you won’t face any time limits. This will apply unless the injured person regains capacity – they will then have three years to bring a claim.
We would always suggest seeking legal advice as soon as you’re able to. This could make it easier for your solicitor to access key evidence such as CCTV, witness testimonies and medical records.
It may also be easier for you to recall the details of what happened if you start your claim sooner rather than later.
How will I prove someone else caused my life changing injury?
For your claim to be successful, your solicitor will first need to prove that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another individual or organisation.
Then, it will need to be demonstrated that the other party’s actions led directly to your injuries.
To do this, your solicitor will gather evidence including:
- Accident record books – this might apply if you were injured at work or in a public place like a supermarket
- Medical records
- Photos of your injuries
- Witness accounts
- Your own recollection of what happened
Our solicitors are experienced in claims of this nature and know what it takes to achieve a positive result. They’ll collect all the necessary evidence to give your case the best chance of success.
I’ve suffered a life changing injury, what should I do?
If you’ve suffered a life changing injury, the most important thing to do is get the medical attention you need. Your wellbeing comes first, so this should be addressed before anything else.
After this, you could consider making a life changing injury claim. Our advisors are here to talk through your case with you and answer any questions you may have. We’ll then let you know if you have a strong claim.
If we think you could have a case for compensation, we’ll ask if you’d like to be put in touch with one of our dedicated solicitors. This decision will be completely up to you, and there will always be the option to call us back.
To find out more about the services we offer, give us a call on the number at the top of the screen or start your claim online.
We’re here to help you through this difficult time.
