How does no win no fee funding work?
No win, no fee means if you don't win your claim, you pay nothing to anyone - it's as simple as that.
While there can be some rare exceptions to our no win no fee agreement, you'll know before your claim starts if they apply to you. After all, you don't need any more surprises.
Your legal team will ensure that appropriate legal protection insurance is in place; the no-upfront-fees policy means you'll have nothing to pay, unless you win. You must always stick to the terms of the insurance, follow their advice, and be truthful.
Benefits of claiming on a no win no fee basis include:
- Low risk - only pay if your claim succeeds. If your claim doesn't win and you stick to the agreement's terms, you won't pay a thing.
- No upfront costs - an insurance policy covers expenses like court fees and medical reports, and our panel firms will always detail fees as part of the agreement between you before taking on your case.
- Trusted experts - we only work with lawyers who explain all fees upfront, so you know what to expect from your claim.
- Clarity - our goal is to ensure that you clearly understand the claims process, and the likely compensation outcome, from the get-go.
What types of accidents or injuries could I claim for?
Being injured at work and having to take time off to recover is made more stressful by the financial impact it can have.
Any injury that happened at work, typically within the last three years, and wasn't your fault you may be eligible for a compensation claim. Below are some examples:
- Slips, trips and falls: if you've been injured after a fall at work, for example, slipping on an unmarked wet floor or exposed cables, you could be eligible for compensation.
- Manual handling injuries: accidents or lack of training could lead to soft tissue injuries, spinal strains or broken bones.
- Being struck by a falling or moving objects: this is common in warehouses, factories, and building sites and can lead to severe injuries and even fatality.
- Falling from height: working with ladders and scaffolding comes with many risks, and falls can cause a range of life-changing injuries.
- Burns: perhaps you work in a kitchen, front-of-house, or even an industrial setting - burns can happen quickly, and have a devastating impact.
- Workplace violence: assaults in the workplace are rare but can result in both physical and emotional pain.
If your unique circumstances aren't listed, don't worry, you may still be eligible to claim - we're here to help.
We're experienced in helping people injured at work.
Every day, we help hundreds of people like you to access the compensation they deserve.
Meet Ben, he was injured at work and his pain meant he couldn't get out of bed, go to work, or enjoy his hobbies.
FAQs
What is the process for making a claim?
The first step is to get in touch with us. This initial conversation will help you to understand whether you are eligible for compensation and there will be no obligation to make a claim.
We'll listen to your story and answer your questions. We'll also try to get a better understanding of what happened and the effects it has had on your life. Then we'll be able to let you know if you're in a position to make a claim.
If you decide you'd like to take the next steps, we will pass you on to one of our no win no fee solicitor partners.
Then, your new legal team will get in touch with the other party and negotiate on your behalf. They'll consider the full effects of your injury and do everything they can to make sure you receive the full amount you're owed.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Most claims are required to either have been settled within three years, or for court proceedings to have been started. It's best to claim as soon as possible so your memory is fresh, and evidence is recent and easier to gather.
This three-year period is often referred to as the limitation period, which is the time by which you must either settle your claim or start court proceedings.
There are, however, a few exceptions:
- For claims involving things like occupational illness or medical negligence, the three-year limit applies from the date the symptoms were first noticed.
- When claiming on behalf of a child, you can make a claim for them at any time until their 18th birthday. After turning 18, they have until age 21 to either settle their claim or start court proceedings.
- If the injury victim lacks the mental capacity to do it themselves there are no time limits for claiming. This could be as a direct result of the injury they've suffered or a pre-existing medical condition. However, if the Claimant regains mental capacity after the accident, even if only temporarily, then the three-year limit starts from then.
How much compensation am I likely to receive?
Until your solicitors have started negotiating on your behalf, they won't be able to give you an exact figure of the compensation you could be entitled to.
The settlement amount will take into account several factors, including:
- Injury type and severity.
- Recovery time.
- Medical expenses and travel costs.
- Lost earnings from time off work.
- Any lifestyle changes that you have had to make as a result of your injuries.
- Ongoing care needs and any home adaptations needed.
How long will my claim take to settle?
While many claims are settled within 12-24 months, ultimately, it depends on how complex your case is. The type, severity and circumstances of your injuries, plus the time it takes to gather all the necessary medical evidence can impact the time it takes to settle.
Your legal team will keep you updated throughout the process, so you know what to expect at every stage.
Can I discuss a claim on behalf of someone else?
Quite simply, yes. If you're thinking of making a claim on behalf of a friend or loved one, then it's likely we can help you. You can help someone start their claim, supporting them through their phone consultations, or act as a litigation friend.
A litigation friend can claim on behalf of a child, or someone who lacks the mental capacity to manage the process themselves.
How do I know if my employer is to blame for my injury?
Your employer may have failed you and contributed to your injury at work by:
- Inadequately maintaining equipment and machinery.
- Assembling support structures incorrectly, such as scaffolding or warehouse racking.
- Poorly maintaining forklift trucks or letting other employees use them dangerously.
- Failing to clear liquid spillages that caused a slip, trip or fall.
- Having below-standard ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC).
- Failing to store chemicals and hazardous materials properly.
- Exposing you to toxic chemicals or biological materials.
Can I claim for occupational illness or disease?
Yes, you can. Thousands of people every year are affected by work-related illnesses or contract diseases during employment.
The law requires employers to provide satisfactory protection and safe work processes for their people. Their employees can be entitled to work injury compensation if this isn't provided. Good health and safety practices must be in place to minimise the risk of occupational illness.
If you believe you've fallen ill because of a duty of care failure, you may be able to make an accident at work claim against your employer. The three-year time limit for making a claim begins when you first notice the symptoms or the condition is diagnosed.
Can I be dismissed after an injury at work?
By law, an injury at work claim cannot compromise your employment.
If your employer attempts to sack you for making or considering a compensation claim, you may have a case for unfair dismissal.
Equally, if they make your life at work so unbearable you end up quitting, you may have a case for constructive dismissal.
We understand that you may worry about making a workplace injury claim against your employer and seeking injury at work compensation. It's a valid concern, but we're here to help you make it right.
Who pays compensation for an accident at work?
Employers' liability insurance covers the damages in a successful work injury compensation claim. This means one of our partner solicitors negotiates on your behalf with the employer's insurance company, not personally with the employer. We can even access a database to find the right insurer so can proceed even if your employer fails to cooperate. In this way it is very similar to car insurance claims.
Be wary about accepting an early offer from the other side's insurance company. Early offers are usually lower than what the claim might be worth, so make sure you take good advice from your accident at work solicitor or legal team.
Can I claim for an accident at work if I'm on a zero-hour contract?
If your employer was entirely or partially at fault for the accident at work then yes, you can. The employment law protections are the same.
Can I claim for an accident at work if I'm a self-employed contractor?
In some cases, you can claim when you are a self-employed contractor. It depends on the particulars of your contract - often contractors are responsible for their own health and safety, which would mean you are unable to claim.
However, if it can be proven that someone else is to blame for your accident you may be able to claim. For example, if you were injured working on-site, and the site owner has failed to provide a safe working environment, putting you at risk, you may have cause for a claim.
Be sure to check your contract and verify your responsibilities before giving us a call, and during your free chat with the team we'll confirm if we think you may have a claim.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
We're the UK's most trusted accident advice provider, with over years_since years' experience.
Our friendly advisors, and expert panel of solicitors are here to help you claim the compensation you deserve. They have helped over two million people, so far.
We'll guide you through the claim process, helping you focus on recovery while we handle the legal side. With our help, you can look forward to:
- Free, no-obligation advice.
- No win, no fee claims and no upfront costs.
- Specialist solicitors - we'll assign the best solicitor to manage your claim.
- Over years_since years of experience helping people like you.
- UK's most trusted personal injury specialists - rated ‘Excellent' on Trustpilot.