No Win No Fee Personal Injury Claims

Who pays my solicitor in a no win no fee claim?

Entering into a no win no fee agreement means that your solicitor will only get paid if you win your claim. Generally, the ‘losing’ party pays the ‘winning’ party’s costs. So, if you bring a personal injury claim and are awarded compensation, you can expect the other party to pay some of your legal costs. The shortfall will be deducted from your compensation, not your existing finances. These deductions will be agreed upon when you start your claim so that nothing will be a surprise. The insurance premium and the solicitor’s success fee will usually be part of this.

If your case is unsuccessful and you have been honest throughout, your no win no fee injury claim solicitor will not charge you for their work. The insurance policy will cover those costs and expenses (subject to terms and conditions).

What evidence do I need to provide for my no win no fee claim?

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to provide on this page.

Are there any other costs involved with a no win no fee claim?

A no win no fee claims process gives everyone access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. You don’t need to pay any legal fees upfront, and you’ll typically pay nothing if you lose.

However, you may still need to pay some legal fees if you withdraw from the no win no fee claim. If you do not cooperate completely, you may then be deemed responsible for any fees.

It’s also worth noting that some no win no fee agreements may only cover the solicitor’s legal fees. This might exclude costs associated with expert fees, legal fees of the defendant’s solicitors, and barristers’ fees.

Are no win no fee solicitors any good?

No win no fee personal injury solicitors are a very good option. Our lawyers have the relevant specialist expertise to deal with your case. It’s also in their best interests to make sure that you succeed with your claim. They’ll only take on your case if they think it has a reasonable chance of success.

Is a no win no fee claim really free?

A no win no fee agreement means you won’t have to pay any legal fees upfront for your claim. If you lose, your no win no fee lawyer won’t charge you anything.

If you win, an agreed fee will be deducted from your overall damages – but only once the claim is settled.

Can I change solicitor during my no win no fee claim?

If you’re not happy with your no win no fee solicitor, it’s possible to change at any time. If you decide to switch, your current solicitor will liaise with your new one on your behalf. They’ll sort the transfer of documents from one firm to the other.

It’s recommended that you make the change as early as possible so that your new solicitor can be up to speed with your case.

Can I cancel a no win no fee claim?

You have the right to end your agreement with your solicitor when you sign a CFA. If you cancel your no win no fee claim within the “cooling-off” period set out in the agreement, you won’t incur any costs. If you cancel after this period, you may be charged for the work done up to that point. We deal with this on a case-by-case basis.

Can I use no win no fee for a car accident claim?

A no win no fee agreement is possible for any type of personal injury claim, including road traffic accident claims.

How long does a no win no fee claim take?

It depends on the complexity of the case. For a simpler personal injury case, the settlement might be determined in 6-12 months. A more complex case could take longer, but it’s important not to rush them.

If appropriate, we may apply for interim payments to be made to you while your now win no fee claim is in progress.

There are no time limits on the settlement process. However, you must ensure you begin your claim within three years of sustaining the injury or becoming aware of it.

When should I begin my no win no fee personal injury claim?

It’s best to reach out to our no win no fee solicitors as close to the date of the accident as possible. Of course, it may be a difficult time and you may not feel able straight away. But when you can, it’s worth having a chat while the incident is fresh in your mind.

As our partner and expert in public accidents Daniel Denton states: “Irrespective of the accident, the sooner the Claimant seeks legal advice, the better their recollection of the accident (as well as the recollection of any potential witnesses) is likely to be.”

In most cases, the deadline to begin is three years from the time you were injured. If you weren’t initially aware of the injury, the period will start from when you received a diagnosis – known as the “date of discovery”. There are some exceptions, though:

• If you’re making a no win no fee personal injury claim on a child’s behalf, you have until their 18th birthday. Once they turn 18, they have until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.
• There’s no limit for a claim to be made on behalf of someone who is mentally incapacitated. If they regain mental capacity, the three-year rule starts from that date.

Will I need to pay tax on my no win no fee compensation?

This is very uncommon, as most compensation is not taxable. There are a few exceptions, such as awards that include a regular payment of lost earnings or an investment income or interest. We recommend you consult an accountant if you need any extra clarity.

Can my employer sack me for claiming against them?

No, you should never be sacked for making an accident at work claim. Of course, we know that it can feel uncomfortable to work for your employer while bringing a claim against them. We’re here to help you cope so you can return to work in a fair, comfortable environment.

If you’ve already been sacked and you believe it is because of your no win no fee claim, speak to an employment lawyer as soon as possible. Time limits on employment claims are often short.