Everyone’s heard of no win no fee claims, but if you’ve never had to make one before, you might not understand exactly how they work. They can be used to claim compensation for a wide range of personal injury cases. Here’s a quick guide to no win no fee claims and how to make one.
What is no win no fee?
There’s been a lot of discussion recently about the end of no win no fee cases. However, this isn’t strictly true. The way the cases are financed has changed, but you still won’t have to pay anything upfront.
The basic principle behind a no win no fee case is that your solicitor won’t charge any fees if your case isn’t successful. Previously, if you won, your solicitor’s fees were paid by the other side. However, this amount now has to come out of the compensation you’re awarded. In order to prevent solicitors charging too much, they have a limit of 25% of the compensation.
How do you make a claim?
No win no fee cases are suitable for a wide range of personal injury claims, including:
– Accidents at work
– Road traffic accidents
– Medical problems
– Accidents in public places
Any legal action must be started within three years of the date of the accident. However, it’s beneficial to start your case as soon as possible after the event, as there is likely to be more evidence available and you’re less likely to forget details.
Don’t just go for the first solicitors that you find. You need to research the market and find one that specialises in personal injury cases and has dealt with claims similar to yours in the past. A local company can be beneficial, as it’s easy to visit them and talk face to face.
Once you’ve chosen a solicitor, you should make an appointment and discuss your case in more detail. Many companies will offer a free initial consultation, where they can find out more information about the accident and give you an idea as to whether they think you’ve got a good chance of winning. It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the solicitor, as you’ll have to discuss your personal circumstances with them.
Before you go ahead with the case, your solicitor will discuss all the financial details with you. This includes the percentage of compensation they charge for their fees and if you require ‘after the event’ insurance. This policy will help to cover the other side’s costs if you lose and the premium is generally only payable if you win the case.
No win no fee personal injury cases offer a convenient approach to compensation for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford legal representation. If you think you might be entitled, it’s worth speaking with a specialist solicitor to find out more information.