Personal Injury Claims – Frequently Asked Questions

At JMS Solicitors in Manchester we provide a claim service which is both swift and efficient. Our website has been designed to assist you in understanding the claims process, and contains our most frequently asked questions. However, if you have any further questions, you may email, call or fax us. Our phone number for enquiries is Freephone 0800 781 7057.

Do I really not have to pay anything?
How does the No-Win No-Fee Agreement work?
How long will the claim take?
How long do I have to make a compensation claim?
What can I claim?
How much will I get for my personal injury claim?

Do I really not have to pay anything?

When you contact us at the outset, we will discuss your case with you and advise you of the likely prospects of success. Once we have agreed to take your case on, you will not pay our legal costs, win or lose.

How does the No-Win No-Fee Agreement work?

Like all your other expenses, legal fees form part and parcel of your claim. The general rule is that the losers always pay the winner’s legal costs. If you win your claim, legal costs will be paid by the other side's insurance company.

Because of this rule, you will receive 100% of your compensation. On the other hand, if you lose your claim, we will close our file and you will not have to pay our legal costs.

If the other side's insurers refuse to admit liability for the accident or refuse to make a reasonable offer for your injury, we may wish to issue proceedings against the other side in view of obtaining a court order.

Once proceedings are issued, the other side will incur their own legal costs. If you win your claim at court, the other side will not be able to recover their legal costs. The loser always pays the winner’s legal costs, but if you lose your claim, your insurance company will be required to pay the other side for you. If you do not have legal expense insurance, we can arrange this after the accident. Payment of the premium will only become payable at the conclusion of your claim. If you lose your claim, the policy will pay its own premium and the other side's legal costs.

Therefore, win or lose, you will not have to pay anything! You can rest assured that it really is No Win No Fee.

How long will the claim take?

Each claim is unique and the length of time it takes to resolve your claim depends entirely on the circumstances of your accident. However, at JMS Solicitors we aim to conclude your claim as swiftly as possible. Your solicitor will provide you with their direct telephone number so that you can contact them whenever you require an update on developments. We believe that by being as proactive as possible and progressing your case as quickly as possible, we are giving you the very best service possible.

How long do I have to make a compensation claim?

In general, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. However, if the accident happened before your 18th birthday, you have three years from the date you turn 18 to bring a claim or to formally issue legal proceedings. We advise that you bring your claim as soon as possible so that evidence and statements may be gathered while the incident is still fresh in your mind and the minds of witnesses.

What can I claim?

You can claim a refund for all your expenses incurred as a result of the accident. The compensation process is designed to put you financially in the position you were prior to the accident.

You can also claim compensation for your pain, suffering and medical treatment following the accident.

How much will I get for my personal injury claim?

It is almost impossible to put a value on a personal injury claim without medical evidence, but we can provide a summary of common awards, which illustrate the kind of compensation payments made in 2008(Figures supplied by the JSB).

* PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a clinically recognised psychological reaction to a stressful or shocking situation. If this is confirmed by a psychologist then we can claim compensation for it.