If you've been injured through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to claim compensation through our no win no fee solicitors. Is the thought of ending up with a big legal bill off-putting? The vast majority of Slater and Gordon client's claim injury compensation on a no win no fee basis.
Slater and Gordon is one of Britain's leading personal injury claims firms, so we are the best people to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call Slater and Gordon on freephone 0330 041 5869 or contact us online to get in touch with one of our legal experts today.
Making a No Win No Fee claim with Slater and Gordon
Our No Win No Fee lawyers across the UK know that many people can feel daunted by the prospect of making an injury claim and the costs and fees that the claim might involve.
If you’ve been injured because of the negligent actions of someone else, you don’t deserve to experience financial worries on top of this. Because of this, our way of working and our injury claims process are set up to ensure that there’s nothing for you to pay upfront, and there’s no financial risk if your No Win No Fee claim is unsuccessful.
We always take every step possible to ensure that our clients don’t suffer financially in any way because of their choice to pursue a claim for compensation. In fact, making a No Win No Fee claim with our legal experts can be the best way to ensure you’re able to access the specialist treatment and rehabilitation that you need, without worrying about the costs mounting up.
What is No Win No Fee?
A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, is the agreement between yourself and your solicitor which covers the work being done on your claim. The terms of the No Win No Fee agreement mean that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay anything towards your own or your defendant’s legal fees. There are no upfront costs either, making it one of the easiest ways to access legal services.
How do No Win No Fee claims work?
A No Win No Fee agreement means that you’ll only ever contribute to your legal fees if your case is successful. Under a No Win No Fee agreements you will be protected by paying any legal costs by a special insurance policy, which your solicitor will organise on your behalf. This insurance policy will protect you against paying any of your own or your defendant’s legal costs in the event that your case is unsuccessful.
If you win your No Win No Fee accident claim, the other side will pay the majority of your legal fees. A success fee will be taken from the compensation that you are awarded, though this will only ever represent a fraction of the total sum. The cost of the insurance policy may also be payable; if so, this will also be a small percentage of your total compensation award.
What types of claims can we offer a No Win No Fee agreement?
No Win No Fee agreements can be put in place in a range of cases, usually involving some sort of injury. Whether you were injured at work, in a public place, or have been involved in a road traffic accident, our experts could help you make a compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis.
Some of the most common scenarios resulting in a No Win No Fee claim, include:
If you’re looking to make a claim on a No Win No Fee basis, the first step is to get in touch with us for a free, confidential discussion about your claim. It helps to have access to as much evidence and information as possible during this discussion, including:
Copies of any receipts or relevant correspondence regarding the accident and/or your injuries
The contact details of other parties involved in your incident
Photographs of the injuries that you’ve sustained
Police reference number
Having this information to hand can help to speed the claims process along, although if you’re struggling to or cannot access any documents, don’t worry; our experts will be on hand to help you through the process every step of the way. They’ll review the information you provide, and advise you on the best way forward, including all funding options.
Once it’s been established that you’d like to progress with your claim on a no win no fee basis, a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) will need to be signed, and insurance policy organised. Your solicitor will then be able to get to work on building your claim.
For initial No Win No Fee legal advice, talk to one of our legally trained experts today on 0330 041 5869.
What happens if I lose a No Win No Fee compensation claim?
A No Win No Fee agreement protects you from having to pay the defendant’s legal fees should you lose your case. It also means that your No Win No Fee lawyer will not charge you for your own fees in the event that you did lose your case.
In most cases, when funding your case through a No Win No Fee agreement, we take out an insurance policy known as After the Event insurance (ATE) on your behalf to protect you from paying your defendants legal costs court fees and medical fees. If you did lose your case, you wouldn't have to pay the premium of this policy, meaning you will not have to pay a penny.
An exception to this rule would be if it was found that you'd acted dishonestly or maliciously in making the claim or if you're found in breach of your agreement with us. In this case, you might be liable to pay costs.
We always ensure that you have the full facts and understand the terms of the agreement from the very beginning.
How much will I get if I win my No Win No Fee claim?
The process of valuing a No Win No Fee injury claim is complex, case specific and requires the work of an experienced legal expert. Our personal injury specialists constantly strive to provide the best possible outcome for our clients and will always carefully review and consider any settlement offers or negotiations before presenting them to you with their expert advice.
However, it’s important to remember that while our specialists always ensure to offer advice with your best interests in mind, including whether to accept a settlement, the final decision is always yours.
We know that the prospect of your claim going to court can be a daunting idea, and it’s often the case that neither party wants the claim to progress in this way. However, if it does, your specialist No Win No Fee solicitor will be with you every step of the way and will ensure that the process remains as stress free as possible.
Find out more about No Win No Fee claims
Our head of serious injury, Tracey Benson, explains how the No Win No Fee agreement works, explaining the process of a personal injury claim and what will happen if you lose your claim.
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Why choose Slater and Gordon for your No Win No Fee claim?
At Slater and Gordon, our specialist No Win No Fee lawyers work with thousands of clients every year on a no-risk basis. We have a dedicated team of lawyers who work on these claims every day, and approach every client with sympathy, professionalism, and honesty.
As one of the UK’s biggest specialist injury firms, we’re proud to represent clients across most major cities with some of the best lawyers in the country, who are regularly recognised in the leading legal publications.
Our experts were also nominated as finalists for Clinical Negligence Team of the Year in the Manchester Law Society Manchester Legal Awards 2022, and work with some of the best case managers and medical experts in the field.
In recent years, Slater and Gordon led the Paterson Litigation against disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson. This was headed by Emma Doughty, head of our medical negligence team, and principal lawyer Laura Preston. This was, and still is, the largest European litigation to occur against a single surgeon. The complex process took two years of work, and a final settlement was reached in for the sum of £37 million for our clients.
When you work with our experts, our specialist support doesn’t end at the conclusion of your No Win No Fee claim. You’ll always get the best possible care and assistance for your specific injuries throughout your claim, and we do our best to ensure that you have access to the right support services, and ongoing legal advice once your claim is settled.
Our No Win No Fee personal injury lawyers work closely with our experienced Court of Protection team. They support clients with diminished mental capacity, as well as their families, during and after their personal injury claim, for however long they need us.
We also have partnerships with a variety of amazing charities and organisations who offer specific and tailored support for those who’ve been affected by serious injuries.
For more information on these services, read more here.
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No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors near you
We have several offices located across the UK, including:
What are the time limits for making a No Win No Fee injury claim?
In the UK, the standard time limit for making any personal injury claim – including No Win No Fee claims – is three years. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident or injury to start a claim for compensation. This is known as the limitation period.
There are exceptions to the three-year time limit. For instance, if you were injured in an accident abroad, the time limits could vary depending on which country you were in at the time. Claims made on behalf of a child under the age of 18 can be made at any point before their 18th birthday.
If you are claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to do so for themselves, the three-year time limit is suspended indefinitely and will only begin if the person regains capacity. However, it is important to understand that the limitation period will continue to run even if the person only temporarily regains capacity, so we always recommend commencing the claim within the three-year time limit where possible.
We strongly recommend that you start your claim as soon as possible, as it will be much more straightforward to gather all the necessary evidence. This includes an independent medical examination that is often required in addition to your medical records to assess your injuries and the impact they have had.
How much will you have to pay if you win your claim?
The vast majority of your legal fees will be recovered from the other side when you win your claim, though you will pay a success fee to your No Win No Fee lawyer.
This will be a percentage of the total amount of compensation awarded in your claim and will be taken out of the compensation once it has been paid. You will also be required to pay the premium of any After the Event insurance policy.
How much will my solicitor get paid if I win?
When solicitors take on cases on a No Win No Fee basis, they run the risk that if the case is lost, they won't get paid for any of the work they've done. This is why if the claim is successful and you receive compensation, law firms can charge a fee, known as a success fee. We like to agree a success fee at the start of any No Win No Fee claim and it's usually a small percentage of the compensation you receive.
There are certain cases where we don't charge a success fee, for example, if you have an asbestos related illness. There are also certain organisations where members of those organisations are not charged a success fee including a number of Trade Unions. If you are a member of an organisation or union, please tell your No Win No Fee solicitor so we can advise whether you're eligible.
How long does a No Win No Fee claim take?
Every claim is different, so the amount of time it takes to settle a No Win No Fee claim can vary substantially. There are many factors that contribute to how long the process might take, including the severity of your injuries and long-term prognosis, as well as whether the other side accepts responsibility from the outset.
Once our experts understand the circumstances of your case, they'll advise you on how long you may expect the claim to take.
What evidence is needed for my claim?
To make a successful No Win No Fee claim, we will need to gather all the relevant information and evidence to support your case, including proving the other party (or parties) involved were at fault and the extent of your injuries and financial losses.
The evidence you may be asked to provide will vary from case-to-case, as it will depend upon the type of injury or illness you have suffered and the circumstances of your accident.
However, some common types of evidence you could be asked to provide might include:
medical records that detail your injuries and their impact on your quality of life
photographic evidence from the scene of the accident, including the location, any damage caused to your motorbike and other vehicles involved, and any visible injuries sustained in the accident
video evidence (if available), such as CCTV or dashcam footage
witness statements from those involved in the accident and anyone who witnessed it occur
a record of any financial losses you have incurred due to the accident and/or your injuries
Do I have to pay anything upfront for my No Win No Fee injury claim?
No, there are no upfront costs to making a No Win No Fee claim.
No Win No Fee agreements are designed to ensure that anyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, can access high quality legal support if they’ve been injured or made ill through someone else’s negligence. Therefore, there are no upfront costs or financial risk to making a claim – you’ll only ever pay if your claim is successful, and this will be a small success fee taken from the total sum of compensation awarded. You will also be required to pay the premium of any After the Event insurance policy.
Are there any hidden costs in a No Win No Fee claim?
No, there are no hidden costs in a No Win No Fee claim.
In No Win No Fee claim, you will usually only pay a small success fee to your solicitor the premium of any After the Event insurance policy. These costs are taken from the compensation award.
The only exception to this rule is if it has been found that you have breached your agreement with your solicitor, such as providing false information or failing to cooperate.
Will I have to go to court?
It is highly unlikely that you will need to go to court for a No Win No Fee claim. This is because most of the claims we pursue are settled through negotiations with the other party (or parties) involved.
In any personal injury claim, both sides must follow the Pre-Action Protocols to attempt to resolve the issues in the case without going to court. Where there are disputes about liability or the amount of compensation owed, we will work hard to resolve these issues quickly.
In rare cases when disputes cannot be settled through negotiation, a court hearing may be necessary. In this situation, your solicitor will talk you through what will happen next and will continue to represent you throughout proceedings.
If I lose my case, who pays my solicitor?
As the name implies, if you do not win a No Win No Fee claim, you won’t owe us a penny.
As part of your No Win No Fee agreement, your solicitor will take out a legal expenses insurance policy (commonly known as After the Event insurance) before the claim proceeds. This will protect you from paying the other side’s legal fees and costs if your unsuccessful. Your solicitor will not charge you from your own legal costs.
The only time you would ever be liable for any costs after an unsuccessful No Win No Fee claim is if it has been found that you were dishonest or breached your agreement, including providing false information or failing to cooperate.
Will I be taxed on my compensation if I win a No Win No Fee claim?
No, you won’t pay any tax on compensation awarded as part of a No Win No Fee claim. Compensation is not considered taxable income in the UK. This applies to any money received from your compensation award, including lump sums, payments in instalments, and any interest your compensation earns.
Can any claim be made on a No Win No Fee basis?
We offer No Win No Fee funding on a wide range of claims, including personal injury claims such as road traffic accidents, accident at work or abroad, and industrial illnesses, and medical negligence claims.
To learn more about No Win No Fee funding and how our solicitors can help you, call us today on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
Are there other ways to fund my claim?
There are also several other funding options available for certain cases. These include:
Legal Aid: While not available in most personal injury claims, small amounts of cases where abuse has been suffered can be made using Legal Aid.
Insurance: Many policies for home, car, and travel insurance include legal expenses cover. This often comes as an extra cost, but it’s always best to check if it’s included in your policy, and whether it covers a claim for personal injury, before deciding to take legal action.
Trade Union: If you're a member of a Trade Union, you may be entitled to legal advice and representation as part of your membership subscription. We’ve been representing unions and their members for over nine decades and have developed bespoke legal services for members of a number of unions. The first step is to contact your Trade Union representative and learn more about your entitlements.
If you’re looking to make a personal injury claim and want to learn more about our No Win No Fee legal advice, as well as other funding options, our experts are here to help.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Excellent communication, in constant contact with the latest info regarding your case. David
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon. Kenny Jackson