Your Insurance Questions, Clearly Answered.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How long do I have to make my claim?

In most cases, you have 3 years from the accident date to make a claim. However, it is prudent to make a claim as soon as possible after your accident to give you the best possible chance to gather the requisite information and evidence to advance your claim. Children under the age of 18 years have 3 years from the date of their 18th birthday to initiate a claim.

2) How much compensation will I get if I succeed?

Due to the unique nature of every personal injury claim, it can be difficult to estimate exactly how much your claim is worth. The final figure you receive will depend on several factors, including the severity and duration of your injuries and the complexity of your case.

3) Can I make a claim if no one witnessed my accident?

Yes, you can still make a claim even if there were no witnesses. Other forms of evidence, such as photographs of the scene and medical reports of your injuries, can substantiate your claim. However, having a witness can strengthen your case. If you are concerned about the strength of your case, speak to us today to learn more about the potential outcomes of making a claim.

4) How long will it take to get my compensation?

A straightforward case in which your injuries are relatively minor and fault is accepted by the defendant can be resolved in six to nine months.

Complex cases involving more serious injuries warranting several medical examinations by our independent medical experts and/or complex disputes relating to liability can take one to two years, or maybe more. No two cases are the same and each case will progress based on the complexity of the issues involved.

5) Can I make a claim if I was partially or fully at fault for my accident?

If you are fully at fault, you are not entitled to make a claim.

If you were partially at fault, you will be described as having been contributorily negligent. For example, if you are considered or found by the court to have been 25% contributorily negligent, your compensation award will be reduced by 25% to reflect this.

6) If I make a claim against my employer following a workplace accident, can I be dismissed?

By law, your employer cannot dismiss you for making a claim. If you are dismissed because you have made a claim, you may be entitled to make a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal.

1) What is a no win no fee claim?

It is an arrangement with your legal representative whereby if your claim is unsuccessful, we will not ask you to pay for our services.

2) Do I have to pay the legal fees associated with my claim if I lose my case?

If we take your case on a no win no fee basis, you will not be required to pay any up front legal fees in the even your claim fails. In support of the no win no fee agreement, we will take out an 'after the event' insurance policy to cover costs such as medical report fees, court fees and your opponents' costs if you are ordered to pay them.

3) Do I pay any legal fees if I win my case?

If you win, we recover most of our costs such as our basic fees from the opponent. However, we will also charge you a 'success fee' due to the risk we take at the outset of your claim, such risk being that we have agreed to deal with a claim which has a chance of failing, thereby resulting in us recovering none of our basic fees in the event of a failed case.

4) What is the rate of our success fee?

If you win your case, the success fee is capped at a maximum of 40% in road traffic accident cases and 25% in work accidents and slips, trips and falls cases. The deduction is made from the compensation awarded for personal injury and past losses (not future losses). In addition, if an 'after the event' insurance policy has been taken out, the premium for the policy will be deducted from the compensation at the end of the claim. There may be other deductions which will be fully explained when you enter the agreement with us.

5) How do I know if my compensation claim will be successful?

We will only act for you on a no win no fee basis if we believe the prospects of succeeding in your case are reasonable. We will usually be unable to act on a no win no fee basis if we feel your prospects of success are limited. Of course, we cannot guarantee success in your claim. However, if your claim is unsuccessful we will not charge you for our basic fees as per the no win no fee agreement.