Serious injury claims help people seek compensation after life-changing harm caused by an accident, negligence, or unsafe conditions. These claims can cover pain, lost earnings, care, rehabilitation, home adaptations, and long-term support.
Featured snippet summary: A serious injury claim may be possible if another person, business, employer, healthcare provider, or public body caused or contributed to your injury. National Claims can assess your case, explain your options, and connect you with experienced solicitors who can fight for the maximum compensation available.
What Is A Serious Injury Claim?
A serious injury claim is a compensation claim for an injury with major, lasting effects. This may include physical disability, reduced independence, chronic pain, psychological trauma, or a long recovery period.
Common examples include:
- Brain injury claims
- Spinal injury claims
- Amputation claims
- Multiple fracture claims
- Serious accident at work claims
- Pedestrian injury claims
- Slip, trip and fall claims
- Medical negligence claims
- Road traffic accident claims
- Occupiers’ liability claims
Who Can Make A Serious Injury Claim?
You may be able to make a claim if:
- Someone owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- You suffered a serious injury as a result
- The claim is within the legal time limit
For most personal injury claims, court proceedings must usually begin within three years of the injury date or date of knowledge.
How Much Compensation Could I Claim?
Serious injury compensation depends on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. The Judicial College Guidelines are commonly used to help value general damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. The 17th edition included figures such as £396,140–£493,000 for tetraplegia and £267,340–£346,890 for paraplegia.
| Injury type | Possible compensation guide |
|---|---|
| Severe brain injury | Potentially hundreds of thousands |
| Paraplegia | £267,340–£346,890 |
| Tetraplegia | £396,140–£493,000 |
| Serious fractures | Varies by recovery and disability |
| Amputation | Often substantial, depending on level |
| Psychological trauma | Depends on severity and prognosis |
These figures are only guides. In addition, special damages may cover lost income, private treatment, care, travel, mobility aids, home changes, and future losses.
Frequently Asked Questions – Serious Injury Claims
1. How do I know if my injury is classed as serious?
An injury is usually classed as serious if it causes long-term symptoms, disability, reduced mobility, loss of independence, or major financial loss. For example, a spinal injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, or complex fracture may qualify.
2. Can I claim if the accident happened at work?
Yes. Employers must take reasonable steps to protect staff from harm. Therefore, if poor training, unsafe equipment, lack of PPE, manual handling failures, or unsafe systems caused your injury, you may be able to claim.
HSE data shows workplace injuries remain a serious issue across Great Britain, which highlights the importance of safe working practices.
3. Can I claim for a serious road traffic accident?
Yes. You may be able to claim if another driver, cyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrian, or road user caused your injuries. Serious road traffic accident claims may include rehabilitation costs, vehicle adaptations, lost earnings, and future care.
4. Can pedestrians claim compensation?
Yes. Pedestrians are vulnerable road users, so injuries can be severe. You may be able to claim after being hit at a crossing, pavement, car park, junction, or roadside.
5. Can I claim for medical negligence?
You may have a claim if negligent medical care caused serious harm or made an existing condition worse. Examples include delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries, medication mistakes, or poor aftercare.
6. What evidence do I need?
Helpful evidence may include:
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Witness details
- Photos or videos
- Police reports
- Workplace records
- Receipts and financial losses
- Care and rehabilitation records
However, do not worry if you do not have everything. National Claims can help you understand what may support your case.
7. Can I claim for future losses?
Yes. Serious injury claims often include future losses. For example, compensation may consider reduced earning capacity, future care, therapies, mobility equipment, home adaptations, and specialist support.
8. Will I need a medical assessment?
Usually, yes. A medical expert may assess your injuries and prepare a report. This helps show the severity of your condition, your recovery outlook, and any long-term needs.
9. Can family members claim on behalf of someone else?
Yes, in some cases. A litigation friend may act for a child or someone who lacks mental capacity. Additionally, dependants may be able to claim after a fatal accident.
10. How long do serious injury claims take?
It depends on liability, medical evidence, recovery time, and future needs. Serious injury claims can take longer than minor injury claims because the full impact must be understood before settlement.
What Can Serious Injury Compensation Cover?
Compensation may cover:
- Pain and suffering
This reflects the injury itself and its effect on daily life. - Loss of earnings
This can include past and future income loss. - Care and support
This may include paid care or help from relatives. - Medical treatment and rehabilitation
NHS information supports the importance of medical care and recovery support after injury. - Adaptations and equipment
This may include wheelchairs, ramps, prosthetics, adapted vehicles, or home changes.
Why Choose National Claims?
National Claims understands how serious injuries affect your health, family, work, and independence. Therefore, we focus on making the claims process clearer, less stressful, and more supportive.
We can help you:
- Check whether you have a valid claim
- Understand your compensation options
- Gather key evidence
- Access experienced legal support
- Start your claim without unnecessary delay
You can also read more about personal injury claims, accident at work claims, and medical negligence claims.
Start Your Serious Injury Claim Today
A serious injury can change everything. However, the right claim can help fund treatment, replace lost earnings, and support your future.
Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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