"Serious injury" isn't a separate cause of action, it's a description of scale, and it applies across almost any type of accident: road traffic, workplace, medical, public liability. What changes is how the claim needs to be handled: interim payments to support you while it continues, expert medical and often care evidence, and a settlement that properly reflects a lifetime's impact, not just the immediate injury.
If you're dealing with a brain injury, spinal injury, amputation, or another life-changing condition, our dedicated injury type pages go into more detail on the specific considerations for that injury. This page covers the approach we take to serious claims generally.
What counts as a serious injury claim?
Injuries with permanent or long-term effects on mobility, independence or capacity to work
Where the effect is measured in years rather than weeks.
Injuries requiring ongoing care, therapy or case management
Including support arranged through a rehabilitation package.
Injuries requiring home or vehicle adaptations
Including ramps, wet rooms and adapted controls.
Injuries affecting your ability to return to your previous occupation
Including retraining and a change of career.
Injuries where the full prognosis will take time to become clear
Settling early on an unclear prognosis rarely serves you well.
What if I was partly at fault?
Partial responsibility reduces compensation proportionally rather than removing the claim. Given the scale typically involved, it's rarely a reason to hold back from asking.
What you could receive
Serious injury claims cover general damages for the injury and its life-changing effect, and special damages, which are usually substantial and forward-looking: care and case management, adapted accommodation, equipment, therapy, and loss of earnings often projected across a working lifetime.
We'll talk you through what's realistic for your situation once we've reviewed the details. We won't overpromise, and we won't quote a figure before we've properly understood your case.