RWPS Law > Services > Personal Injury

If you have suffered a physical or psychiatric injury as a result of an accident you may be able to claim compensation. At RWPS Law we have a dedicated personal injury team to look after your best interests. Every claim is unique and we will take time to listen to your personal needs and concerns. Unlike many other solicitors firms, we work flexible hours to make life easier for you. We take pride in helping you every step of the way.

As an Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) accredited firm you can be assured that we have externally verified expertise in personal injury work and that we are committed to representing the victims of accidents.

For more information about the work of APIL, click on their logo. For more information about the different types of injury claims we can handle for you, use the links below.

Road Traffic Accidents : Accidents at Work : Slip/Trip : Other Accidents : Occupational Stress : Harassment
Compensation : General Damages : Special Damages : Future Loss : What will it cost? : Back to Top

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents are all too common and fortunately most do not result in serious injuries but we have the expertise and experience to deal effectively with even the most devastating injuries. If you have been involved in a traffic accident, whether as a driver or passenger we can help you right from the start. We can guide you through repair and hire process, help you with arrangements and bring a claim for the injuries you have suffered.

Traffic accidents take many forms and we have successfully brought claims not only for car collisions but also for bikers, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

If you have had a road traffic accident, complete our Accident Enquiry form and return this to us. We will undertake an assessment of your claim without any obligation and with no charge should you choose not to proceed.

Accidents at Work

Many accidents happen while we are at work. Your employer has a responsibility to provide you with safe employment and a safe environment. Most employers have insurance in case of an accident.

We understand it can be difficult to bring a claim against the people you work for. We often work with your employers to make sure bringing a claim causes as little disruption as possible and allows you to return comfortably to work when appropriate.

If you have had an accident at work, complete our Accident Enquiry form and return this to us. We will undertake an assessment of your claim without any obligation and with no charge should you choose not to proceed.

Slip/Trip

Every year thousands of people slip or trip in public places resulting in unfortunate injuries, which could often have been avoided. Hazardous pavements, spillages, rubbish and poorly placed signs to name but a few all cause accidents.

It is important to point out that just because you may trip up in a street does not automatically mean you can bring a claim. We can explain to you when and how you can bring a claim and who is the appropriate person to sue.

If you have had a slip or trip accident, complete our Accident Enquiry form and return this to us. We will undertake an assessment of your claim without any obligation and with no charge should you choose not to proceed.

Occupational Stress

We have considerable expertise in claims for damages for psychiatirc injury caused by stress at work and a proven track record of success in ground breaking cases in this complex and difficult area. Please click here for more information about this special area of our practice.

Other Accidents

Hazards in our daily lives take many forms and we see a whole variety of accidents. We specialise in taking on claims that other lawyers may have turned down because they are too risky or just too much hard work! Many unusual claims require more expertise and time such as sport injuries, product defects, accidents abroad and claims for children.

If you have had an accident and feel someone else is at fault, complete our Accident Enquiry form and return this to us. We will undertake an assessment of your claim without any obligation and with no charge should you choose not to proceed.

Compensation

Following an accident, the aim of compensation is to put you in the same position as before the accident. However, as nothing can turn the clock back, the legal system tries to achieve the impossible by awarding a monetary equivalent of your losses by awarding damages in several different categories.

General Damages

Otherwise known as PSLA (Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenity) this award is made purely for the injury itself and for how the injury and any residual disability resulting from the injury affects your quality of life (that is 'loss of amenity'). Awards are made by reference to a fairly well established scale of conventional awards for particular types of injuries. If the case goes to Court, the amount awarded will be based partly on the Trial Judge's impression of the severity of the injuries and how they have affected you and partly by reference to previously reported cases involving similar injuries.

There are many previously reported cases and you will probably be shown copies of some of them. Reference will also be made to the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines which try to categorise various types of injuries and give guidance on the sort of award that is generally made for that particular category of injury.

In serious cases, where you are unable to pursue your chosen career owing to your injuries, a claim may lie for loss of congenial employment. In some cases there may be a known (but small) risk of deterioration in your condition which may enable the Court to award provisional damages. Here, damages are assessed ignoring the risk of deterioration but with the right to return to seek further damages at a later date if the deterioration should occur.

Special Damages

This category of damages is intended to be reimbursement of expense or losses suffered by you (or by a partner, friend or parent on your behalf) from the date of the injury to the date of the trial or settlement. Special Damages will include loss of earnings, medical expenses, travel expenses and, potentially, a whole host of other types of expense.

It is crucial to keep records of any expense which is incurred as a result of the accident. Wherever possible, any expenses should be supported by receipts, estimates or other documentary evidence. If there is any doubt about whether some expense may be claimed or not, it is better to keep a note of it as if it is never mentioned, it can certainly never be claimed!

In our experience the sooner treatment is received the faster you can recover. Waiting for a referral through your GP or treatment on the NHS can take considerable time. We can help arrange private treatment for you with physiotherapists and chiropractors and this can be included in your claim.

Future Loss

Compensation for future losses will only be awarded where expenses or disabilities are likely to continue after the trial or settlement. In nearly every case, expert evidence will be needed to justify and explain what future expense there is likely to be and why that expense is necessary.

As with Special Damages, there are many different categories where there may be future losses but future loss of earnings and medical expenses are the most common and often very significant elements. Claims may also be made for loss of future promotions, share options and pensions.

Normally, damages for future losses are awarded as a lump sum based on the annual cost or loss and the number of years to which the award relates. As the future losses are paid in advance, less than the full number of years' worth is awarded to reflect the ability to invest the funds and any other factors which may be relevant. While this gives you a lump sum to use as you wish, there is a danger the damages will prove to be insufficient if the cost or period of time turn out to be more than was thought. In suitable cases, the Court may now award damages to be paid on a regular basis and to increase in line with inflation.

What will it cost?

In general, if you succeed in your claim, your opponent will have to reimbruse your legal costs. Even so, funding a claim may be expensive and if you were to lose then you would be required to meet your opponent's costs too. Fortunately, in the vast majority of personal injury claims, we have arrangements which ensure costs is one thing you do not have to worry about.

In every case (save psychiatric injury claims which require an in depth assessment) we will undertake a preliminary assessment of your case without any charge if you decide to go no further. If the case is suitable, we will then:

Offer a "No Win, No Fee" Conditional Fee Agreement so that you only have to pay our fees if and when you win your case (at which point your opponent has to pay the costs anyway).
Put in pace arrangements to ensure you do not have to pay expenses (normally called disbursements) until the end of the case.
Put in place 'After the Event' insurance to meet the costs of your opponent in the event you lose your claim
Undertake never to charge you more than we are able to recover from your opponent without the approval of the Court.

Please click here for more general information about costs.