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 lawyer will ensure that appropriate legal protection insurance is in place; 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?
If your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you could have grounds for a claim. Check the below list of claim types that we cover, and contact us to understand if you qualify for compensation:
Road traffic accidents
You may be eligible for compensation if you were injured as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian. This includes injuries sustained on public transport.
Workplace accidents
Your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe environment for you and your colleagues. If you suffered an injury while at work, you may be owed compensation.
Accidents at home
You may be eligible to claim for injuries that are the fault of your landlord, a hired contractor, or caused by carbon monoxide leaks.
Medical/clinical negligence
This covers any wrong, accidental, or substandard care by medical professionals that causes a patient injury or makes an existing condition worse. This is usually by incorrect action or a failure to act.
Accidents in public
If you've suffered a slip, trip or fall in a public place, you may be eligible to make a claim. Accidents in public can happen in a supermarket, on private property, or somewhere else outside of your home.
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 all 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 legal team has 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 18-36 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 someone else was at fault?
If you were injured in an accident that wasn't your fault, it's likely that someone else was responsible and you may be owed compensation.
Where the responsibility lies can depend on where or how the accident happened, for example:
- If someone's careless driving caused you harm, whether you were another driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, the driver would likely be responsible.
- An avoidable trip, slip or fall at work will be the fault of your employer breaching their duty of care for you.
- If your accident happened in a building with public access, such as a library, car park, or swimming pool, then responsibility would lie with the building's owners.
- When injuries happen in a business, such as a shop or restaurant, then liability would be on the business owner.
- If on the street, for example, hurting yourself because of a damaged pavement, then the accountable party will be the one responsible for maintaining public infrastructure. This is usually the council or local authority.
We'll help you understand who was at fault in our initial consultation, so don't worry if you aren't sure.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
Our friendly advisors, and expert panel of lawyers 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 lawyers - we'll assign the best legal team to manage your claim, based on their specialism.
- Over years_since years of experience helping people like you.
- UK's most trusted personal injury specialists - rated ‘Excellent' on Trustpilot.