Compensation claims

What is a no win no fee claim and how does it work?

A no win no fee claimmeans there is nothing for you to pay, even if you lose your case. It is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement and is essentially a contract between you and your solicitor.

No win no fee agreements were first introduced to help those who were entitled to make a compensation claim without taking on the financial risk. Your solicitor will cover all of your legal costs and you will only pay for their service if you win.

Am I eligible to make a compensation claim?

If you've suffered an injury in the last three years where someone else was at fault, you have a right to make a compensation claim.

We'll provide a fast assessment of your case and if your solicitor agrees to take it on, it's a sign that they're confident of winning. Our specialist solicitor panel manages our compensation claims on a no win no fee basis, so there are no upfront fees. If you win, your solicitor will take their payment as a pre-agreed percentage of your settlement figure.

You can also make a compensation claim on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to do so for themselves.

How do I begin making a compensation claim?

There are a number of ways to start your compensation claim:

• Pick up the phone and call one of our advisors on 0800 587 0344. Our lines are open seven days a week until late and we'll give you an instant assessment of your claim.
• Fill out our form with a few basic details such as your name, number and the nature of your accident. We'll call you back free of charge.
• Use our calculator toolfor a genuine valuation of what your compensation claim could be worth. You may even be able to pursue your case entirely online.

How does the claims process work?

Once we've agreed to take on your case, you can typically expect the following to happen:

1. Your solicitor will hear your story and how your injuries have affected you. They may ask for evidence in the form of witness details, medical records or photographs.
2. Once they have everything they need, your solicitor will contact the other party to inform them that you are making a compensation claim.
3. If the other party accepts blame, your case should be resolved relatively swiftly. If they contest it, your solicitor will begin negotiations on your behalf.
4. If you win your claim, your solicitor will take a percentage of your compensation as their payment. If you lose, you won't owe a penny.

Can I make a compensation claim online?

Yes. Other companies use their compensation calculator simply as a way to prompt you to get in touch. But here at ClaimsPeople, we do things differently.

Our tool offers a genuine valuation of how much you could receive.

How long will my claim take?

We'll always let you know straight away if you have a claim. However, you should be aware that some cases are more complicated than others and the time it takes to reach a settlement can vary depending on a number of factors.

These include the amount of evidence that needs to be gathered, as well as whether the other party accepts responsibility for what happened.

What's my claim worth?

Every compensation claim is different, with unique circumstances involved. That makes it impossible to say how much yours could be worth, but we use the 15th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines to assess damages. These guidelines also inform our calculator tool.

How much will I pay my solicitor if I win?

If you win your case, the other party may be required to contribute towards your legal expenses and your solicitor will receive a percentage of your compensation in order to cover the rest. This could include a success fee as well as a sum to account for the price of any policy you've taken out to make your compensation claim risk-free.

Rest assured that any deductions from your settlement will be capped at a pre-agreed level. Your solicitor will talk you through all of this before the process starts, so you won't feel stung by any nasty surprises.

Do I need no win no fee insurance?

When making a compensation claim, we recommend taking out After the Event (ATE) insurance. It's designed to make the process risk-free, covering all of your legal costs so that there's nothing to pay, even if you lose.

We'll organise this policy for you and there'll be no upfront fees. You'll only pay the premium if you win, and that cost will be deducted from your compensation amount as part of our overall cap on charges.

Is my claim likely to go to court?

Most compensation claims are resolved without going to court. However, if the other party refuses to accept blame and an agreement cannot be reached, yours could end up being settled in front of a judge.

Rest assured that if that does happen, your solicitor will take care of all the legal proceedings on your behalf.

What if I lose my compensation claim?

In the unlikely event that you are unsuccessful in claiming for compensation, there'll be nothing for you to pay. That's the benefit of a no win no feeagreement.