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Frequently Asked Questions



What is a 'No Win, No Fee' service?

The phrase 'no win no fee' is one you'll frequently see attached to advertisements and features pertaining to personal injury compensation. While seeking compensation for an injury sustained through a third party's negligence is only right and fair, it can still seem a daunting prospect initially. That's why, if you feel you're entitled to claim compensation, you should contact us on 0808 115 0700, or via the form at the top of this page, to discuss the details of your case with a trained adviser. As well as giving an honest evaluation of your chances of success, they will clearly define 'no win no fee' to you.

Put simply, in the vast majority of cases you won't need to pay a single penny of legal fees up front. If you win your case, any costs will be recovered from the other side and you'll receive all of the awarded compensation. Should you lose your case, the costs of your legal fees, and of those of the other party, will be covered by an insurance policy. This means access to justice and recompense is open to all, and explains why we only ever take on cases we think we've got an excellent chance of winning.
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Will I receive 100% of my compensation?

In the vast majority of personal injury cases, the 'no win no fee' formula holds sway, generally meaning you'll get to receive all possible compensation awarded. The fees and costs of your legal representation meanwhile will be covered by the other party. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, generally involving criminal injuries compensation, uninsured and untraced motorist claims, and/or cases which take place in Scotland. In cases such as these, a conditional fee arrangement will be used, meaning you'll take out insurance to cover any costs arising in the case of your claim being unsuccessful. If you call us on 0808 115 0700, or submit our online claim form, we'll take the details of your case and provide a no obligation, honest and up-front judgement as to whether you're case is likely to see you keep 100% of your compensation. Unlike some firms, we don't indulge in the hard sell and we'll only move forward with your case when you're completely made aware of, and are happy with, the mechanics of your claim.
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What is a conditional fee arrangement?

There are certain types of compensation claim in which you're not necessarily making a claim from a third party, but are instead seeking a compensation pay-out from an independent government-funded body. These claims include some medical negligence cases, criminal injury cases and road traffic accidents involving untraced or uninsured drivers. In cases such as these, the payment awarded will be calculated depending on the type, and severity, of your injuries, and present and future loss of earnings. However, the compensation will not include an amount to cover your legal fees.

If you call us on our freephone number with the details of your particular case, we'll be able to tell you whether such an arrangement applies or not. If it does, it normally means a percentage of your compensation (generally between 10 and 30%) will be taken in the form of fees. This is usually accompanied by a no win no fee arrangement, protecting you from any costs should you lose your case.
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Does Claims4Free.co.uk handle cases?

Claims4Free will listen to the details of your case and come to a conclusion as to whether you are in a position to pursue personal injuries compensation. If you are, we'll put you in touch with a seasoned personal injuries lawyer with vast experience of dealing with the type of case you're pursuing. They will explain exactly what such a case might involve, as well as ensuring you understand the details involved in 'no win no fee' arrangements, 'conditional fee' arrangement, and '100% pay outs', and which of these will apply in your case.
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How long does a case normally take to reach a settlement?

The length of time it takes each individual case to reach a settlement depends hugely upon the specific details of each. If it's a relatively 'open and shut' road traffic accident, for example, with blame being easy to apportion, the other party may make an offer to settle before the case even reaches court. More complicated cases, on the other hand (particularly those involving medical negligence) may result in lengthy arguments over exactly what happened, who was to blame, and whether anyone has been negligent.

Besides blame, the other factor upon which a case settlement depends is the amount of compensation to be awarded. Your solicitor will come to a calculation based upon the accepted parameters for the type and severity of your injuries, and also an amount to compensate immediate expenses and projected lost earnings. If the other party accepts the quoted amount as reasonable then they may agree to pay up quickly, but if they choose to contest the figure, proceedings may be delayed until a full court case has been held. If you call us on 0808 115 0700 we'll put you in touch with a personal injuries solicitor who will provide you a reasonable time estimate, based on their experience and the circumstances of your claim.
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How much will I receive in compensation?

The amount awarded for certain injuries and illnesses is based upon a specifically drawn up set of guidelines. There will be a sum based upon the part or parts of your body which have been hurt, which will then be calibrated in line with the severity of the injury. This is one half of the equation, in that it consists of directly compensating you for your pain and distress. The other half is an amount calculated on the basis of factors such as your age, how long the injury has affected you or is likely to affect you, and expenses (such as travel fees and medical bills). Loss of earnings - both current and prospective - and any long term detrimental effect upon your overall quality of life is also taken into consideration.

Simply put, compensation is calculated to be an amount which will place you in a financial position akin to that should the accident never have occurred. It's not about punishing the negligent party, but about ensuring your suffering is minimised to the greatest possible degree. A personal injuries lawyer will be able to listen to the details of your case and come up with an estimated figure of how much they feel you are likely to receive.
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*Disclaimer: Although this site is updated as often as possible the information provided may not accurately reflect the current laws, procedures and/or facilities available to you. To ensure that you get the most up to date information make sure you consult an actual injury solicitor before pursuing any action. The articles on this site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to advise any particular action or inaction. Please read our terms of use for more information.