Personal Injury

The team at Morrish Solicitors is a leading light in Personal Injury law, with a respected history of recovering headline-grabbing awards for our clients, injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Our department head Martin Bare, Partner, is immediate past President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), has many papers published on current issues relating to the field, and lobbies for improvements in civil laws relating to personal injury. Our team of lawyers has extensive experience across a spectrum of severity, including Catastrophic Injury, Spinal injuries, Occupational diseases, Road Traffic Accidents, Workplace Accidents, Infant claims, Product Liability and Defective Product Litigation.

Personal injury claims are subject to strict deadlines. By law, you must normally submit your claim to the court within 3 years of your injury.

Any member of our team will be happy to advise you in a free initial consultation. Most of our work is carried out on behalf of Trade Unions and their members. We are happy to be instructed by individuals who do not have the valuable benefit of Trade Union assistance and can advise them on alternative sources of funding. ‘No win no fee’ arrangements may also be available.

Our services include:

• Employers Liability Claims/Accidents at work
• Road Traffic Accidents
• Public Liability
• Infant Claims and Settlement
• Product Liability and Defective Product Litigation
• Catastrophic Injuries including Head Injuries and Spinal Injuries
• Fatal Accidents
• Occupational Disease Claims including:
  • Asbestos Induced Diseases
  • Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
  • Vibration White Finger (VWF) / Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Dermatitis
  • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)/Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders
  • Miners Knee Injury/Beat Knee
  • Stress Related Illnesses

Please telephone 0113 2450733 and ask to speak to the Personal Injury Department, or fill in our online form.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section is to help you find answers to our most frequently asked questions about personal injury claims.  Please feel free to contact one of our expert solicitors today.  We are happy to answer any of your queries and provide you with further information you may require. 

1. Am I entitled to make an accident claim?
2. How long have I got to make a claim?
3. What if my injury happened over 3 years ago?
4. Will I have to pay to make a claim?
5. Will I have to go to court?
6. What can I claim for?
7. How much compensation will I receive?
8. What should I do next?

1.  Am I entitled to make an accident claim?

If you have sustained an injury due to the negligence of another, it is likely that you will be entitled to make a personal injury claim. When you contact us, we will assess very quickly whether or not you have a valid accident claim. It may be that you are entitled to accident compensation for your injuries.  A damages payment can represent what it takes to return you to your original state before the accident took place. 

By their nature, accidents vary enormously and no two injuries are exactly the same.  A car accident differs from a work accident which differs from professional sports injuries.  You want your personal injury lawyer to assess your situation on its own merits. 

Please speak to one of our expert injury lawyers today for free legal advice on your situation.

2. How long have I got to make a claim?

There are strict time limits which apply to personal injury claims. In most cases, if you are 18 or over and have been injured, you have 3 years from the date of your accident in which to formally commence legal proceedings.

Because it takes time to assess your case, gather medical evidence and contact insurers, if you have had an accident, you must seek legal advice as soon as possible. 

However, time limits can vary and sometimes the time limit can be shorter than 3 years. We recommend, again, that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.

The rules for claims of Industrial Disease, also called Occupational Disease and Occupational Illness, are different and rather more complicated.   You must start legal proceedings within three years of the date you knew, or should have known, that you condition is work-related.  Delaying your claim can mean losing your right to claim.  Therefore, please do not delay in contacting us for further expert free legal advice.

3. What if my injury happened over 3 years ago?

If you have suffered an accident, illness or disease which happened more than three years ago, it is less likely you will be able to make a claim.

However, you should contact us because circumstances of your case may mean your claim is still valid.  For instance, with claims of Industrial Disease, also called Occupational Disease and Occupational Illness, the time limit applies to the date at which you knew or should have known your illness was work-related.  For instance, if you knew your workplace in the 1970s had traces of asbestos but were only recently diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a serious asbestos-related disease, the time limit for your claim might apply to three years from the date you were diagnosed. 

such as exposure to asbestos in the workplace.  Similarly, the rules in relation to an injured child or an injury victim under the age of 18 are rather different and more complicated. 

We strongly recommend you don't delay in contacting us for further free legal advice from experts in this field. 

4. Will I have to pay to make a claim?

No, you don't pay a penny.  The service is free. 

We offer quality free legal advice - advice without the fees.  You receive 100% of your compensation.  If your case is successful, our costs are paid by the other side and their insurers.  If your claim is unsuccessful, we will not charge you anything. *

As a leading Trade Union law firm, we proudly assist Trade Union members needing quality legal advice.  We are also able to help those without the benefits of Trade Union membership and can offer a raft of alternative funding options, including Legal Aid for certain cases. 

* Explained fully by us and in our Client Care Documentation and Terms and Conditions of Business.

5. Will I have to go to court?

If you instruct us to handle your case, we will pursue your claim with every effort to resolve as quickly as possible to recover the maximum amount of compensation for you.  Every claim is different, and sometimes court proceedings are unavoidable.  Even after court proceedings commence, an out of court settlement can still be reached, avoiding the need for court.  As litigation specialists, we have a well deserved reputation for being meticulously prepared and keeping our clients informed of their options at each stage.

6. What can I claim for?

In our legal system, the payment of compensation is intended to place the injured victim in a position as close to that as if your accident, injury or illness had never happened.

We seek to recover compensation for both your injury and all consequential losses including, for example, loss of earnings. We take a holistic approach which also focuses on your need for rehabilitation.  For many accident victims, a key part of their rehabilitation involves being able to return to work and once again becoming an active member of society.

7. How much compensation will I receive?

Each case is assessed individually. However, there are guidelines in place to ensure that similar injuries are compensated in a consistent way.

The total amount awarded to you in a successful personal injury claim is based on many factors including the nature and severity of your injury, and any consequential damages such as loss of income. 

The compensation amount awarded for a specific injury (excluding any consequential damages) is based on a set of national guidelines, listed here. 

Arm injuries. 
Amputation of both arms (£140,500 - £174,500). 
One arm amputated from the shoulder (not less than £79,000). 
One arm amputated above the elbow (£63,625 - £76,350). 
One arm amputated below the elbow (£56,000 - £63,625). 
Severe arm injury (£56,000 - £76,350). 
Simple fractures (£3,800 - £11,200). 
Severe elbow injury (£22,650 - £32,000). 
Moderate or minor elbow injury (up to £7,375). 
Severe wrist injury (£27,750 - £34,850). 
Minor and temporary wrist injury (£2,000 - £2,800). 
Hand injury.  Total or effective loss of both hands (£81,500 - £117,000).
Trivial thumb injuries (up to £1250). 

Back injuries. 
Severe back injury (£22,650 - £98,500). 
Moderate back injury (£7,125 - £22,650). 
Minor back injury (£4,575 - £7,125). 

Paralysis. 
Quadriplegia (£188,250 - £235,000). 
Paraplegia (£127,250 - £165,500). 

Neck injuries. 
Severe neck injury (£14,500 - £86,500). 
Moderate neck injury (£4,575 - £14,500). 
Minor neck injury (£750 - £4,575). 

Shoulder injuries. 
Severe shoulder injury (£11,200 - £28,000). 
Serious shoulder injury (£7,375 - £11,200). 
Moderate shoulder injury (£4,575 - £7,375). 
Minor shoulder injury (£2,550 - £4,575). 

Burns and scarring. 
Claims vary according to gender:

Female very severe facial scarring injury (£28,000 - £56,500).
Female trivial facial scarring injury (£1,000 - £2,000). 
Male very severe facial scarring injury (£17,550 - £38,175). 
Male trivial facial scarring injury (£1,000 - £2,000). 
Noticeable laceration or single disfiguring scar (£4,500 - £8,200) 

Face injuries, Head injuries, Brain injuries. 
Very severe brain damage £165,000 - £235,000). 
Minor brain damage (£9,000 - £25,000). 
Frontal bone fracture to the face (£14,000 - £21,350). 
Fractures to the nose (£1,000 - £13,500). 
Cheekbone fractures (£1,400 - £9,150). 
Jaw injury (£3,800 - £26,500).  

Dental injury: 
Several front teeth lost or seriously damaged (£5,100 - £6,600). 
One front tooth lost or seriously damaged (£1,300 - £2,300). 
The final amount awarded depends on the extent of discomfort suffered during each subsequent treatment.  Any difficulty with eating increases the award level. 

Internal injuries. 
Chest injury Minimum (up to £2,300).  Maximum (£58,500 - £87,500).
Lung disease.  Minimum (£1,300 - £3,175).  Maximum (£58,500 - £79,000). 
Asbestos related disease.  (£4,000 - £6,100).  Maximum (£48,850 - £74,300). 
Asthma.  Minimum (up to £3,000).  Maximum (£25,000 - £38,175.)  
Male reproductive system injury. Minimum (around £3,800).  Maximum (around £86,500). 
Female reproductive system injury.  Minimum (around £5,850).  Maximum (£67,200 - £98,500). 

Digestive system injury:
Minimum (£3,800 - £7,375).  Maximum £25,000 - £36,125). 
Kidney injury.  Minimum (£18,100 - £25,000).  Maximum (£98,500 - £122,000). 
Bowel injury.  Minimum (£7,375 - £14,000).  Maximum (up to £87,000). 
Bladder injury.  Minimum (£13,500 - £18,100).  Maximum (up to £81,500). 
Spleen injury.  Minimum (£2,550 - £5,100).  Maximum (£12,200 - £15,250). 
Hernia injury.  Minimum (£2,000 - £4,300).  Maximum (£8,650 - £14,000). 

Leg injury and knee injury. 
Amputation: 
Both legs lost totally (£140,500 - £165,500). 
Both legs lost below the knee (£117,000 - £157,750). 
One leg lost above the knee (£56,000 - £81,500). 
One leg lost below the knee (£52,950 - £76,350). 
Most serious leg injury (£56,000 - £79,000). 
Moderate leg injury (£16,300 - £22,650). 
Fractures with incomplete recovery (£10,500 - £16,300). 
Simple fracture (up to £5,350). 
Severe knee injury (£40,750 - £56,000). 
Moderate knee injury (up to £8,150). 
Achilles Tendon injury.  Most serious Achilles tendon injury (up to £22,900). 

Minor Achilles tendon injury (£4,000 - £5,000).

Feet injury: 
Both feet lost (£98,500 - £117,000). 
One foot lost (£48,850 - £63,625). 
Very severe foot injury (£48,850 - £64,625). 
Modest foot injury (up to £8,150). 

Toes injury:

All toes lost (£21,350 - £32,800). 
Big toe lost (£18,325). 
Very severe toe injury (£7,500 - £10,500). 
Moderate toe injury (up to £5,600).  

Ankle injury: 
Very severe ankle injury (£29,000 - £40,750). 
Moderate ankle injury (£7,625 - £15,500). 
Modest ankle injury (up to £7,500).

Pelvis injury, hip injury. 
Severe pelvis or hip injury (£22,650 - £76,350). 
Moderate hip or pelvis injury (£15,500 - £22,650). 
Pelvis or hip injuries of lesser severity (£7,375 - £15,500). 
Lesser hip or pelvis injury (£2,175 - £7,375). 

Sensory injuries. 
Sight injury:
Total loss of vision and hearing Maximum (up to £235,000). 
Total loss of vision only (around £155,250). 
Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision (£37,150 - £104,500). 
Total loss of one eye (£32,000 - £38,175). 
Loss of sight in one eye (£28,750 - £32,000). 
Minor eye injuries (£1,300 - £5,100). 

Hearing injury or impairment: 
Total deafness and loss of speech (£63,625 - £81,500). 
Total loss of hearing in one ear (£18,325 - £26,500). 
Partial hearing loss / Tinnitus (£4,300 - £7,375). 
Severe Tinnitus (£17,500 - £26,500). 
Injuries effecting your ability to taste and smell: 
Loss of taste (£11,200 - £14,500). 
Total loss of taste and smell (up to £22,650). 

Stress and psychological injury. 
Severe psychiatric damage (£32,000 - £67,200). 
Minor psychiatric injury (£800 £3,250). 
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 
Severe PTSD injury (£36,650 - £58,500). 
Minor PTSD injury (£2,300 - £4,825).

Chronic Pain.

Chronic Pain syndrome (£6,350 - £37,150). 
Fibromyalgia (£19,850 - £37,150). 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (up to £28,750). 
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (£14,750 - £58,500). 
Somatoform Disorder (up to £26,500).

Please speak to our solicitors for free legal advice today, or complete our accident claim online form with details of your own circumstances and we will be happy to advise you.

8. What should I do next?

Please use the links on our site to find out more about specific areas which relate to your claim.  Or contact one of our specialist solicitors today for more free advice.  Fill in our accident claim online form or call 0113 245 0733 to speak to one of our experienced solicitors who can help you with your claim. 

If you or a family member has suffered injury, disease or illness as a result of someone else's negligence, please contact our solicitors today for advice.