People in the UK still hesitate to claim compensation even when they’ve been harmed by negligence or unsafe housing. In 2026 the barriers are more psychological and practical than legal. Below, we break down the real reasons for fear and show how National Claims removes the friction so you can start a compensation claim with confidence and trust.
Featured snippet-style summary:
Most people fear claiming because they worry about costs, conflict, and complexity. Yet UK law gives you time to claim, updated 2024 guidelines increased typical awards, and strong evidence plus expert support makes the process straightforward. National Claims handles the legwork and connects you with experienced solicitors so you can focus on recovery.
What’s really stopping people from claiming?
1) “It will cost me money I can’t afford”
Cost-of-living pressures make people wary of any legal spend. However, with National Claims you only contribute from the amount recovered at the end of a successful claim. 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.
2) “I’ll be dragged into a fight I don’t want”
Many imagine a stressful courtroom battle. In reality, most claims settle through pre-action negotiation once evidence is exchanged. Clear medical evidence, repair reports (for housing disrepair claims) and liability facts usually encourage early resolution.
3) “It’s too complicated”
You don’t need to learn the Civil Procedure Rules. National Claims triages your case, gathers key documents, arranges medicals or surveys, and shepherds the process so it feels simple and predictable.
4) “I’ve probably left it too late”
Not necessarily. For most personal injury compensation claims, you typically have three years from the injury or the date you first knew you were injured to start court proceedings. That’s set by the Limitation Act 1980.
5) “My injury or problem isn’t serious enough”
Minor injuries, mould-related illness, or a slip can still justify compensation and repairs. Research and guidance show that damp and mould can seriously affect health—tenants shouldn’t wait.
The 2026 context: why your claim matters now
- Workplace harm remains common. In 2024/25, an estimated 1.9 million people suffered a work-related illness; 680,000 sustained a workplace injury. These numbers show harm is widespread—and claims help improve safety.
- Road casualties still happen. Great Britain recorded 128,272 road casualties of all severities in 2024 (provisional/validated releases). Victims include drivers, cyclists, and pedestrian injury claimants.
- Damp and mould are a public health issue. Government guidance urges fast action by landlords because the health risks are real. Claims push landlords to fix hazards promptly.
Furthermore, the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)—the benchmark for valuing pain, suffering and loss of amenity—were updated in April 2024 (17th ed.), with most brackets uplifted (around +22%) to reflect inflation. That means typical awards today are materially higher than a few years ago.
What types of claims do people hold back on?
- Personal Injury: road traffic accidents, slip, trip and fall claims, pedestrian injury claims, accident at work claims.
- Medical Negligence Claims: delays, misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries, brain injury claims, spinal injury claims.
- Housing Disrepair Claims: damp, mould, leaks, infestations, unsafe electrics and heating failures.
- Financial Mis-selling: unsuitable credit or products that caused quantifiable loss.
If any of the above applies, you can claim compensation through National Claims—without navigating insurers or portals alone.
How much could you receive? (Indicative)
Valuations are individual. However, the JCG offers bands that courts and negotiators rely on. Actual figures depend on medical evidence, recovery time, treatment, impact on work, and special damages (lost earnings, care, travel, rehabilitation).
| Injury type (examples) | Indicative general damages (JCG-based) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate back injury | low tens of thousands | Typically lasting pain, limited function; excludes the most severe spinal injuries. |
| Minor to moderate brain injury | several thousands to low six figures | Ranges widen with symptoms, recovery time, and cognitive effects. |
| Serious ankle fracture | five figures | Mobility, surgery, and residual instability increase awards. |
| Scarring (noticeable facial) | several thousands to five figures | Age, psychological impact and visibility matter. |
| Paraplegia (very severe) | high six figures | 17th ed. examples show substantially increased brackets. |
Important: These are illustrative, not promises. National Claims will obtain medical evidence and apply the latest JCG 2024 figures to value your case accurately.
What you can claim beyond pain and suffering
- General damages: compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (JCG-guided).
- Special damages: lost income, future loss of earnings, care and assistance, travel, treatment, aids/equipment, home adaptations.
- Housing disrepair remedies: compensation plus legally-required repairs for hazards like damp and mould, leaks and structural defects, in line with government guidance.
Time limits: don’t miss your window
- Personal injury: generally 3 years from the accident or date of knowledge.
- Clinical negligence: typically 3 years from date of negligence or date of knowledge.
- Housing disrepair: time limits vary by the nature of the claim (contract/negligence).
If the deadline is approaching, proceedings can be issued to protect your position.
Why choose National Claims in 2026?
Experts recommend using specialists who work with current data, guidelines and procedures. National Claims combines practical experience with updated 2024/25 evidence so your compensation claim is valued credibly and advanced efficiently.
- Frictionless start: we listen, capture facts, and tell you quickly if we can help.
- Evidence-led approach: medicals, engineer or surveyor reports, photographs, witness statements.
- Negotiation focus: we push for early settlement where appropriate, so you avoid unnecessary stress.
- Clear fees: 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.
Step-by-step: how a claim works with National Claims
- Free assessment: tell us what happened and how it affected you.
- We build your evidence: medicals or independent inspections (e.g., damp/mould surveys for housing disrepair claims).
- We value your case: using medical evidence and JCG 2024 brackets.
- We present liability and losses: including personal injury compensation and special damages.
- We negotiate hard: aiming for the maximum, as fast as the facts allow.
- You receive your damages: minus the agreed contribution from the amount recovered.
Evidence that strengthens your case
- Photos/video of hazards, damage, or visible injuries.
- Medical notes and prescriptions; keep a symptom diary.
- Work absence records and payslips for loss of earnings.
- Letters/emails to your landlord reporting defects and any response times.
- Witness details and dates.
Pro tip: Report issues early. Government guidance stresses prompt action for damp and mould to protect health—your reports become vital evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Will I need to go to court?
Usually not. Many cases settle after evidence exchange. We only recommend issuing proceedings if it protects your limitation deadline or maximises value.
2. Is my case too small?
If negligence caused a measurable injury, loss or housing hazard, it’s worth a conversation. Even short-lived injuries or moderate mould exposure can justify claim compensation once evidence is gathered.
3. What if I’m partly at fault?
You may still recover damages, reduced for your share of responsibility. We’ll advise after reviewing the facts.
4. How long will it take?
It depends on medical recovery and whether the other side admits fault. Early admissions with clear evidence often resolve faster.
5. Will claiming improve safety?
Yes. Workplace and road safety data show persistent harm; claims encourage better practices and repairs, benefitting everyone.
Ready to start your claim?
If you’ve suffered due to a road traffic accident, accident at work, medical negligence, housing disrepair, slip, trip and fall, spinal injury, brain injury, pedestrian injury, or financial mis-selling, talk to us.
We’ll give you a clear route to claim compensation with confidence.
With more than 1,500 Trustpilot reviews and an outstanding 4.9/5 rating, National Claims has become one of the most trusted names in the industry.
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.
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.
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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