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Seeking support: How to claim compensation for a personal injury

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Written by Nigel Simpkins

Claiming compensation for a personal injury is a brave decision to make. It’s invariably the right one, too. Still, from the outside looking in, the process can seem complicated and intimidating. Sadly, some people can also lose faith in the compensation process too.

As people suffer horrific ordeals and still await their compensation, others considering legal action may conclude their cases are not strong enough. If you’re in that mindset, it’s important to change it. Here are some steps to help you claim compensation for a personal injury. 

Find the Right Solicitors 

Some solicitors are driven by their ethics, others by greed. It’s important to be discerning so that you secure the right representatives. 

Try to work with legal experts that will help you win your case on a no-win, no-fee basis. They should be transparent about additional costs you may need to cover, like medical expert fees, so you’re not taken by surprise. They should also be happy to inform you about everything you need to know about personal injury compensation so that you’re never uncertain about what comes next. 

If you know what to look for, it can help you make a decision on which firm to work with. They will guide you on everything you need to do, from what evidence to retain to the symptoms you need to disclose. These entities have thought of everything and are a reassuring 

Be Wary of Dishonest Parties 

There are people who lie to avoid consequences. Be wary of dishonest parties when seeking support. You will need to tell your lawyer about the person you’re alleging is responsible for your personal injury to acquire compensation. If it’s an employer, this will be easy, as you’ll have a pre-existing relationship. In car accidents, you’ll need to acquire further details from the offending car’s registration number. 

You may also need to decide if it’s worth pursuing compensation if the offending party has no insurance coverage or assets of their own. Legal proceedings can be expensive, and you may not always deem the process worthwhile if there’s nothing to win.  

Be Aware of Time Limits

There’s a 3-year time limit on the claimant’s ability to issue court proceedings. It must be done within 3 years of you becoming aware that you’ve experienced a personal injury. 

While this can seem like a healthy amount of time, it’s still best to proceed with compensation claims at the earliest opportunity. It shows that you’re committed to justice and should resolve these matters as quickly as possible rather than dragging them out over a longer period. Claiming compensation is great, but the process can demand much of a person.  

There are some circumstances where courts can extend these deadlines. They may do this if there is a good reason for the delayed claim and the evidence is still as relevant as it would have been within the time limit. If you’ve taken other active steps, such as trying to ask unhelpful defendants for details regarding the compensation or pursuing legal advice, then this can also help the time limit be waivered in some circumstances. Nevertheless, understand that verdicts vary.