Serious injury claims

Access support after a life-altering accident through our expert personal injury lawyers. Our specialist team have almost 40 years of success in representing clients seeking compensation.

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Author

Caroline Morris

Managing Director of Serious Injury

Last Updated

16th July 2026

Can I make a serious injury claim?

You can make a serious injury compensation claim if you have suffered a life-altering injury because of someone else’s negligence. This might mean you are living with a spinal injury, a traumatic brain injury or an amputation. Perhaps you have suffered a serious crush injury or complex orthopaedic injuries after a road traffic collision, or accident at work.

These serious injuries have a profound and life-changing eﬀect on an injured person – and you may benefit from early access to rehabilitation through our team. Serious injuries require long-term medical treatment, sometimes for years after the accident occurs. This may include rehabilitation courses, occupational and physical therapy, psychotherapy, adaptations to your home or vehicle, and long-term care from a family member or medical professional.

Your solicitor will gather evidence such as witness accounts, medical records, photographs, accident reports and any available CCTV footage. This helps build a clear picture of what happened and who was at fault. Even if you think you were partly to blame, you may still be able to claim. You generally have three years from the date of the accident, or from when you first realised your injury was linked to it.

Example of a serious injury claim

A warehouse operative is tasked with using complex machinery which has not been maintained according to requirements, and without the appropriate training. Correct PPE is also not supplied. When using the machinery, he is caught in the mechanism and suffers a serious crush injury to his arm – which is later partially amputated in an effort to save the remaining limb. If we can argue that had the machinery been appropriately maintained, and the warehouse operative had been given appropriate PPE and training, the incident would not have occurred – this may be a valid serious injury claim.

Common serious injury claims we can support with

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What compensation can help with

Early access to vital rehabilitation

Compensation after a serious injury can help you access early rehabilitation and occupational therapy. We know that early access to support is critical after life-changing injury, and can have a significant impact on your recovery as a whole.

We’ve worked with people who have suffered serious, life-altering injuries that have altered their realities for the remainder of their lives. But early access to treatment can mean learning to mobilise again, regaining independence and being able to access advanced prosthesis not available on the NHS.

A successful serious injury claim may support:

Early access to rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Occupational therapy and wellbeing support
Mobility equipment and walking aids
Prosthesis, not available on the NHS
Adaptations to your home, to support your independence
Counselling and therapeutic support
Loss of earnings, both current and future

Compensation that supports your future

Our client, Mark, suffered a catastrophic motorbike accident when a driver turned across his path, and a second driver unknowingly struck him as he lay unconscious on the road. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury, recording a Glasgow Coma Score of just 3, and few expected him to survive. Mark’s settlement was significant, allowing him access to long-term rehabilitation and funding adaptations to his home to accommodate his injury. How much you may receive will depend on your own injuries, how they affect your daily life and work, and the support you’ll need moving forward. In serious injury cases, settlements often exceed £1 million.

Support throughout your recovery

Recovering from a serious injury often involves a combination of significant medical treatment, physical and occupational therapy, mobility support and emotional guidance. Our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team can connect you with the specialists you need, helping you manage your symptoms, regain your independence and rebuild your confidence as you move forward.

Specialist serious injury solicitors

Our team have decades of experience handling complex serious injury cases. We work closely with rehabilitation coordinators and independent medical experts to understand the true extent of your injury, and build a settlement package that is tailored to your unique needs. We are committed to your recovery, to helping you rebuild after injury and to supporting you to live well.

Why choose Fletchers for your serious injury claim

We have almost 40 years of experience supporting people with serious injury claims. In that time we have settled hundreds of cases for people who have been seriously injured through no fault of their own - and provided early access to rehabilitation for many. When you work with our team, we will be by your side for every stage of the journey, and fight for an outcome that gives you the best possible chance of a life lived well.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist personal injury solicitors & experienced in serious injury claims
Ranked by Legal 500, Chambers and Partners legal directories
APIL‑accredited solicitors
Recognised with national personal injury awards
Named in The Times Best Law Firms
Trusted partner of the Spinal Injuries Association
Trusted partner of the Child Brain Injury Trust
Free initial consultation with no obligation
Strong track record of successful outcomes
Close links with rehabilitation specialists
Rated excellent on Trustpilot
‘No Win, No Fee’, so there’s no financial risk

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When life changes in a moment, you shouldn’t face it alone.

Read our Serious Injury Guide for specialist legal expertise, rehabilitation and wellbeing support. We believe that when life changes in a moment, you shouldn’t have to face it alone.

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You're not alone

We are with you at every stage of the journey

Our specialist team have a combined 400 years of experience representing clients who have suffered catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Often this means severe spinal cord injuries, amputation, and brain injuries. We have a compassionate and confident approach – taking on difficult cases that other firms may not. We choose to tackle these cases because we have a genuine belief in our ability to secure a good outcome, and fight hard to build a compensation package that truly reflects the pain and suffering you have experienced.

We understand that suffering a serious injury has a huge impact on your life overall. Not only are you dealing with your physical recovery and the limitations which come with it, but there is likely to be an overwhelming impact on your emotional wellbeing and state of mind. Often, family members and other loved ones are forced to step into care roles, which can drastically alter family dynamics. And the injured person may also be facing feelings of anger, shame and loss.

When we take on your case, we do so with a full understanding of all these challenges. We believe it is important to support the whole person, which is why we work closely with our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing team, and with wider Court of Protection experts, to build the strongest possible support package on your behalf.

Many of our clients tell us that securing compensation was a major step forward in their recovery. It meant they could regain some independence and start to build a more fulfilled and meaningful life. Often, people tell is that their case gave them a sense of justice, knowing that accountability had been acknowledged by those responsible for their injury.

Happy amputee doing exercises for upper body strength on exercise machine at gym.

Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

OUR REHABILITATION & WELLBEING TEAM

People we’ve supported

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FAQs about serious injury claims

How much compensation may be awarded for a serious injury claim?

The average payout for a serious personal injury claim depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury, the circumstances of the accident, and factors such as loss of earnings and future care needs. Generally, compensation amounts can range from a few thousand pounds for minor injuries to several hundred thousand or even millions of pounds for serious injuries. When calculating your compensation package, our team will consider how your injury has impacted you today, and how you are likely to be affected over the course of your lifetime.

How is compensation calculated for pain and suffering?

The calculation for pain and suffering caused by a serious injury varies according to the location and severity of the injury as well as its long-term impacts.

Part of this payment reflects the individual’s pain and suffering, sometimes called the “non-economic damage”. You may receive extra compensation on top to reflect your loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, adaptations to your home and vehicle, and so on.

How much time do I have to make a serious injury claim?

There is a statutory time limit of three years after your accident to make a claim. A judge can extend this depending on the circumstances of your injury but there is no guarantee that they’ll do so.

How long does it take to receive an offer of compensation?

Serious injury claims can take several years to settle. We always aim to secure the maximum compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. Most claims are resolved without going to court.

Timelines depend on:

Complexity of the injury: Multiple or medically complex injuries may need extensive assessment
Evidence gathering: Building a strong legal case takes time
Liability disputes: If the defendant denies responsibility, negotiations or court action may extend the process