What you need to know about compensation claims

Did you suffer an injury because of council negligence? Or maybe there was an accident in your workplace that affected your mental health or your quality of life?

These are some examples of circumstances that point to compensation claims. So what do you need to know about them? 

In this article, we take a look at some of the events and processes involved in claiming compensation. The first step is to confirm that you have a claim; you can do this by taking your claim idea to a suitable lawyer and consulting with them. You can move forwards from there. 

Compensation claims are uniques and varied, so it’s no wonder that so many of them go under the radar; that’s unfortunate because compensation money can make a positive impact on your recovery from illness or injury. In general, if it feels wrong, you should be entitled to an award.

What are compensation claims? 

Compensation is money paid to you because of an injury you suffered. A compensation claim can be made against an employer, a council authority, or an individual. These claims need to conform to certain criteria – for instance, the accident was not your fault and has impacted you. 

Compensations claims must fulfill three criteria; you need to have been involved in an accident or injury that wasn’t your fault in the last three years, the accident must also have been caused by negligence. Finally, a compensation claim can only be made if you have suffered ill effects.

What are the stages of a claim? 

If you have a case of a compensation claim, there are some stages you need to go through. First, you need to establish whether or not you are eligible for a claim. Have your health or living standard been affected in the last three years because of negligence caused by an authority? 

Most people hire no-win-no-fee lawyers for medical claim compensation to assist them through a difficult legal battle. Although these lawyers take a fee from the award, it’s still a cost-effective means of submitting a claim. This lawyer will help you establish your claim and obtain the relevant medical records and evidence.

What is the timeline for a claim? 

There is no standard timeline for a compensation claim; in most cases, it depends on the nature of the claim – such as the fault analysis – the type of authority you are claiming against, and the level of resistance from the insurance company. After it’s settled, the timeline is much faster. 

Whether your compensation claim is settled in or out of court, you should receive your money within 28 days of the result. A compensation claim takes no longer than 28 days after the result to payout, but in most cases, the money will arrive sooner. Expect a payment in 2 or 3 weeks.  

The three elements of compensation 

If you are claiming personal injury, your claim must conform to three elements; these are a duty of care owed to you by the defendant, evidence that the defendant breached that duty of care, and evidence that you suffered losses as a result of negligence on behalf of the target authority. 

If you think your accident or injury fulfills these criteria, then you might be eligible for a compensation claim. The best thing to do is to get in touch with a suitable lawyer to discuss the next steps. They will take the details of the claim and set up appointments to obtain evidence. 

How is compensation calculated?

There is no set compensation amount for specific types of injury, but this is a good thing because every claim is different, and every situation is unique. A suitable compensation claim lawyer will be able to get the highest compensation claim amount for you minus their fees. 

There are several factors that influence the amount of money you receive from a compensation claim. It depends on how severe your injury is and what your recovery time was; it also depends on how the injury has affected your life, including time off work and any adaptations to your life.

Calculating your compensation 

Although you can’t obtain an exact number for the amount of compensation you are likely to receive, it is possible to make educated guesses based on other claims like yours. Talk to your lawyer about compensation amounts for other cases that resemble yours, but don’t count on it. 

Another way you can obtain a figure for your compensation claim is to use a compensation calculator. Compensation calculators are available online; they use algorithms based on previous claim types and give you a fast and quite reliable estimate for your claim amount.

What you need to know for claiming 

If you think you have a claim against an authority, contact a lawyer and talk it over with them. A suitable lawyer – one that specializes in compensation claims – will ask you a series of questions about the accident and circumstances. They tell you what you need to know for the claim. 

If this lawyer thinks you have a claim, they will submit the claim on your behalf and negotiate for you as well. It’s in their interest to negotiate a higher sum since it increases their fees. Chances are you will be asked to undergo a medical examination or a psychological assessment as well. 

Types of compensation claims 

If you suffered an accident or injury in the last three years that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for some compensation money. It doesn’t matter what the situation is; if you feel you have been unfairly treated by the employer or authority, you might have a compensation case. 

That said, there are very typical scenarios that indicate compensation every time. These are accidents at work, road accidents that may have resulted in contacting whiplash lawyers due to your injuries, slips and falls, medical negligence, accidents at home, and other life-changing events. In general, if it feels wrong, contact a suitable professional. 

Small personal injury claims 

Some of the most common compensation injury claims come from small claims, from road accidents in particular. Again, a suitable compensation lawyer can advise you on whether you have a case and how to make a small claim against an authority or some third-party insurance. 

However, the rules on small personal injuries have recently changed to prevent fraudulent claims – especially from road traffic accidents. If you suffered an accident on the road that wasn’t your fault, the claim amount is now tied to the length of the time you suffered after the injury. 

Council claims for compensation 

It’s not only insurance companies that payout due to injuries sustained by negligence – council authorities do as well. In the UK, council authorities are responsible for the condition of the roads and pavements, the condition of council housing, and the conditions for council workers.

If you suffered a trip on the pavement, a whiplash injury due to potholes, an injury sustained in a council home, or an accident while working for your local council, you could be in line for a compensation payment. Contact councilclaims.co.uk to find out how to take the claim forward.  

Contact a lawyer if you need help

Accidents and injuries happen, and while no one can fully eliminate the suffering you experience recovering from the trauma, compensation money and damages help to ease your struggles. However, not everyone is aware they are eligible for a compensation payout, so always check. 

If you’re unsure whether you can claim compensation, contact a suitable no-win-no-fee lawyer. This specialist lawyer takes a fee from your final award, but they are the best person to speak to if you want a swift resolution without any of the stress and paperwork needed.

Remember there are different types of lawyers out there, for example, you can have a personal injury lawyer Washington (or nearer where you reside), for things like a car crash or an accident at work, or a criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with criminal activity.

So it is important to make sure you read reviews, check out real-life examples, and make sure you choose the best lawyer for your situation. Getting this right will ensure you get the best possible compensation, as the lawyers are experts in the field. 

If you feel as if you deserve some compensation for an unfortunate event, contact a lawyer today and discuss your options. Every compensation claim is unique, so you might not get a clear idea of your final award until it’s paid, but you can also use a compensation calculator.

FAQs 

Do I have a personal injury claim? 

Any injury or accident caused by negligence is suitable for a compensation claim. It doesn’t matter if the negligence was caused by an individual or an organisation; if it has impacted your life and wellbeing, you are entitled to make a claim. Contact a compensation lawyer who can tell you more about the responsibilities and whether you are likely to succeed with your claim. 

What injuries can I claim for? 

First, you will claim for any physical injuries that resulted from the negligence. Evidence for this will be required, and you will have to undergo a medical examination. More and more, the mental impact is also considered and requires some psychological testing. Secondly, you can claim for the impact the illness or injuries have had on your life; including social and working life.

How long to claims usually take? 

Personal injury claims are not fast – on average, they take between one and two years to settle. The time frame for a personal injury claim is often determined by whether the claim is disputed or not – if it is, the claim might take even longer to resolve.

However, after the claim is settled, you can expect the compensation money to arrive quickly in your account – in under one month.