How long does a personal injury claim take?

Suffering a personal injury can disrupt your life completely, affecting your ability to work, to continue your hobbies, or to enjoy time with your family. Sometimes it can feel as though life is on hold until you recover, and so many of our clients worry about how long a personal injury claim might take to resolve.

Because every personal injury claim is different, there is no straightforward answer to this. However, there are a few things that all personal injury claims have in common which can help us in estimating how long it is likely to be until your claim is resolved and you receive your personal injury compensation.

The issue of liability 

In any personal injury claim, it is important to consider the issues of liability – who is responsible for your accident and injury as well as the damage the injury has caused you. This could include financial damage by way of loss of earnings if you have been unable to work, or the cost of specialist medical equipment you have had to purchase or treatment you have undergone to assist your recovery. Damages may also be payable for any pain, suffering and loss of amenities you have experienced as a result of your accident. In order to prove this damage, specialist medical evidence is usually required, and it may well not be in your best interests to settle a claim until you are either recovered from your injuries or have a firm diagnosis and prognosis in place.

Has the defendant accepted liability? 

Other things that affect the time taken to settle a claim include whether or not the defendant accepts liability. If so, it may be that negotiations can start early on in the process, but if not then it will also need to be proven that they were responsible for your accident and the damages you have suffered as a result.

In straightforward cases, where liability is admitted early on, you may recover your personal injury damages within a matter of a few months. Complex medical negligence cases, such as brain injury claims, on the other hand sometimes take years to resolve. Ultimately, every case is different, so we keep our clients updated throughout the process. Here at Mackrell & Thomas Solicitors, we welcome you getting in touch to discuss your matter with us so that we can answer any questions you may have.