We are a team of qualified lawyers and deal with all types of personal injury cases. We avoid legal jargon and deliver the personal touch. You will be looked after by a lawyer who knows your claim inside and out.
Whether your injuries are minor or life-changing, we can help you through the claims process and fight for support with rehabilitation and the compensation you deserve. Our promise is to respond to client's calls, letters and emails within 24 hours.
We are accredited by the Law Society as accident specialists. We are also members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). The legal directory, Legal 500 identifies Ashfords Personal Injury team as one of the top teams in our region.
We give free and independent advice on your funding options and can offer "no win, no fee" agreements.
The injuries that cyclists sustain in road traffic collisions can often be very serious . We aim to get you back on your wheels as quickly as possible.
Find out moreAll employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from a work-related injury. Have you been off work and lost earnings? We are here to help.
Find out moreHead injury claims can be complex and require careful consideration to ensure that the full nature and extent of the injury is understood. We can obtain expert evidence to fully assess the impact on your life.
Find out moreAn amputation following an accident is an ordeal for you and your loved ones. We are on hand to offer you all the support, information and advice you may need.
Find out moreRehabilitation is about treatment and support for the injury victim. Compensators may fund rehabilitation to speed up your recovery.
Find out moreA slip or trip, perhaps in a pothole or on a defective pavement, on ice or mud resulting in injury can give rise to a claim for compensation against the owners and occupiers of the land or the local authority. We are here to advise you of your civil rights.
We advise clients suffering from a wide of spinal injury - from the most severe spinal cord injury causing paraplegia or tetraplegia through to fractures, back and neck sprain.
Where a family member or partner has died in an accident that was someone's fault, there will be an inquest and there may also be a police investigation or HSE prosecution. We can assist with a separate civil claim, liaise with other authorities and attend inquests.
Claims on behalf of children require approval of the Court. You should not settle a claim for your child without getting legal advice.
Due to the complex nature of legislation relating to these areas, we would recommend you get help from a specialist lawyer.
On the 31st December 2020 the UK left the EU and the transition period came to an end. A trade deal was negotiated but no deal has yet been made to clarify how any UK residents injured in the EU can proceed with a claim.
Find out moreIn the South West there were five farming related deaths for the period 2017/18.
Find out moreWhiplash Reform – Is it worth the wait?
Proposed reforms to whiplash claims have been in the pipeline since the Civil Liability Act 2018 “CLA”.
Find out moreAccommodation Claims - a clarification of the law
When a Claimant is involved in an accident, they may have to purchase alternative suitable accommodation due to their injuries.
Find out moreFrequently Asked Questions
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Do I have a claim?
To have a successful personal injury claim you need to be able to show that you have been injured as a result of someone's negligence, intentional misconduct or breach of a legal obligation such as Health and Safety regulations.
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An insurance company have already offered me compensation to settle my claim, should I accept?
No! An early offer made without a medical report or independent legal advice should be treated with caution.
If this happens, instruct Ashfords LLP to take over conduct of your injury claim. We will contact you and discuss the best course of action to obtain the compensation you are legally entitled to. -
Do time limits apply?
In personal injury cases, generally court proceedings must be started (i.e. a claim form filed at court) within 3 years from the date of accident or;
- If later, from the “date of knowledge” which means the date when you first knew that your injury was linked to a possible negligent act.
- In cases involving children, the three year period does not start until after their 18th birthday.
- In cases of fatal accidents, the time limit is only 2 years.
The above is known as the 'limitation period'.
A lot of work needs to be done before the claim form can be filed with the court and its is best to contact a solicitor as soon as you become aware of a potential claim. -
Can I still bring a claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, this is often referred to as 'contributory negligence'. If you were partly responsible for the accident, a percentage will be attributed to your own fault and that percentage will be deducted from your compensation award. For example, if the accident was 25% your fault then an award of £1000 compensation will be reduced to £750.
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How long will my claim take?
This depends on how complex the case is, how much evidence needs to be obtained to prove your case and how much is disputed by your opponent.
A simple claim may be settled within 9 - 12 months but if it is necessary to start court proceedings or get further medical evidence then it will take longer. -
How can I fund a claim?
There are two main ways to fund a claim:
You may already have legal expenses insurance which can be used to fund a claim. You may have cover under household contents or vehicle insurance policy or through trade union membership.
We may be able to offer a 'no win-no fee' arrangement whereby if you lose your claim we will not charge you for any of the work we have done for the duration of the agreement if you are unsuccessful. You can take out insurance to cover to protect you against the risk of paying any of the Defendant's legal costs.The conditional fee agreement may be subject to a success fee if you win your claim. If we apply a success fee, it will be based on a percentage of our costs and not your compensation monies.
We can advise you in more detail on the issue of funding before we proceed with your claim. See also our Funding Options for further information. -
How much will my claim be worth?
A. The value of your claim will be assessed under two different headings; General Damages and Special Damages.
Special Damages will include any financial losses or expenses that you have incurred as a result of the accident. This may include loss of earnings, expenses incurred in travelling to and from doctors appointments, prescription and treatment charges or the cost of care being provided.
General Damages is a lump sum award to reflect the pain, suffering and overall impact of the injuries on your life (including affect on sports, hobbies and day to day activities). This is assessed with reference to medical evidence and similar cases that have been before the courts in the past.
A claimant has a legal duty to minimise their losses, such as returning to work as soon as medically possible. -
Will any compensation I receive affect my state benefits?
If you are in receipt of means assessed state benefits then the receipt of a capital sum may effect your entitlement to future benefits, either by reducing them or ending your entitlement, depending on how much compensation you receive.
The first £6,000 capital is disregarded when assessing your state benefits but if your compensation means you have more than this amount in capital then your state benefits will be reduced by £1 for every £250 of capital held over the £6,000 threshold.
If your compensation means you have more than £16,000 capital then you are not entitled to state benefits.
If you receive state benefits as a direct result of your injuries, these may be deducted from your compensation monies and paid direct to the government by way of re-imbursement. -
Will I have to go to court?
Most personal injury claims settle before a final hearing at court. If there is an unresolved dispute about the facts of the accident, a legal point or the value of your claim, there may need to be a hearing for a judge to determine those issues, in the absence of any agreement between the parties.
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Will I have to visit a Doctor or Medical Specialist as part of the case?
In every personal injury claim, the claim must be supported with medical evidence in the form of a medical report. This report is prepared following a medical examination with a nominated medical expert which will be arranged by your Solicitor. In most cases, your medical records or medical history will have to be reviewed but is not referred to in the report unless it is relevant to the injury claim.
If you would like to find out more about current issues affecting injury compensation click here or to discuss a potential injury claim please contact Flora Wood for a free, no obligation chat.
Downloads
- Information sheet- funding your claim guide (PDF)
- A brief guide to personal injury claim (PDF)
- Cyclists and the law (PDF)
Relevant Experience
Acting for a client who suffered an accident at work when his arm became trapped in machinery leading to severe crush injuries to his forearm.
All relevant experience