Personal Injury                                                            

We have recovered over £1,000,000 for clients who have sustained personal injuries in an accident that wasn't their fault.

We can help with all types of personal injury claims including road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents and occupiers' liability claims. 

We have considerable experience in personal injury cases and in leading the client through the court process. 

Where necessary, we can arrange a home visit for our clients and will also be able to advise on the value of your claim as well as the possibility of interim payments.

Please contact our Ruth Brown or Colin Byford  on 01702 349971 or by email at ckb@chennellssolicitors.co.uk who will be pleased to discuss matters with you. 


                                     

If you have an accident, there are four important things you should do immediately:

  • Make an appointment to see your GP;
  • Take photographs of your injuries and the scene of the accident;
  • Keep receipts of any expenses you incur as a result of the injury;
  • Keep a note of how long specific pain lasts for and how long you cannot take part in activities which you would have undertaken but for the accident.


Under the Limitation Act 1980, in actions for damages for personal injury, a claim must be brought within three years. This starts to run either from the date on which the injury occurred or from the date on which the person injured first had knowledge of the injury.


Minors

The limitation period does not effectively start until the claimant reaches the age of 18. For example, someone who is 15 at the time of an accident would have until their 21st birthday to make their personal injury claim.  

A minor can bring a claim if they are under the age of 18 by a litigation friend conducting proceedings on their behalf.

If an award of compensation is made to a minor, the money will be held by the Court of Protection and interest will be accrue accordingly until the minor reaches the age of 18.

                                                       

'No Win No Fee' explained 

Please click here to view 'no win no fee explained'

Typical key stages in a personal injury claim

  • Decide upon funding. You may have legal expenses insurance or you may wish to be privately funded or you may be offered a Conditional Fee Agreement ('No Win No Fee')
  • Initial investigations
  • Obtain GP records and Hospital Records
  • Obtain a Medical Report from a Medical Expert
  • Obtain details from employers of loss of earnings
  • Obtain details of any other losses and prepare Schedule of Loss
  • Instruct Counsel, if required
  • Send protocol letter of claim to opponent
  • If liability for the accident is accepted, there may be negotiations and (Part 36) Offers to settle the claim
  • If the claim does not settle, proceedings will be issued and particulars of the claim will be drawn up
Please click here for the cost of issuing proceedings
  • Serve proceedings on opponent
  • Receive and review Defence
  • Case Management Conference
  • Disclosure and Inspection of Documents
  • Exchange of Witness Statements
  • Exchange of Expert Evidence (unless a joint statement has been agreed) and questions to Experts
  • Prepare up-to-date final Schedule of Loss
  • If the case has still not settled then it will go to trial
  • If you are successful and a Court Order is made in your favour, a cheque will be forwarded to you in due course.                                   

Useful Links

Her Majesty's Court Service - Court information

Court Fees