How Much Could You Claim?
Does your claim qualify? Get free, no obligation advice!
Following an accident that wasn’t your fault, not only are you likely to be left with injuries relating to your accident, your pre-existing condition may also be worse. This can be particularly traumatic especially if your condition is degenerative.
Many people in the UK live with pre-existing conditions, so you’re not alone; and expert solicitors have helped people with pre-existing conditions successfully claim compensation following an accident that wasn’t their fault.
We know that an accident can have a greater impact than just physical injuries and that as a result your mental health may have suffered too.
Whether you’ve been left dependent on others while you recover, with a longer recovery time or with anxiety and apprehension around your accident and injury, an expert can help. With one free phone call to 0800 234 6438 you can receive free, impartial advice about your accident and find out if you’re able to make a compensation claim.
The short answer is, in most cases, yes. It’s important to remember that any pre-existing injuries can become worse due to an accident, which means you can usually claim compensation for this.
For example, a prior back injury that might have healed could be aggravated by a work injury or car accident. If this accident prevents you from performing everyday activities or working, you have every right to file for compensation.
Most importantly, you should receive it.
There is often a misconception that to be able to make a claim the injuries resulting from your accident have to be dramatic and life-changing. Equally, there are some that say anybody can make a claim for stubbing their toe. Neither are true.
To be able to make a claim, you must have been in an accident in the last three years, somebody else must have been at fault and you must have been injured due to the accident.
There are some cases where injuries might not become apparent straight away. In those cases, an injury solicitor can still help you make a claim. Instead of three years since your accident, the time limit starts from the date your injury (or resulting illness) was discovered.
In terms of the seriousness of the accident and injuries, if you have received any injury that’s had an impact on your life and wellbeing than you can make a claim. This includes:
If your accident has made your pre-existing condition or illness worse, you could still be in a position to make a claim, as you’re entitled to make a claim when anything impacts how you live your life normally.
So, if you’ve been living with a condition, disease or illness – such as a degenerative muscle condition, asthma or high blood pressure for example – and this has become harder to live with or worse since your accident, then you have a legal right to claim for compensation.
When considering your compensation following this type of accident, your solicitor will take into account:
Legally, the process of claiming with a pre-existing or chronic illness or condition is very similar to that of any personal injury claim, and you cannot be discriminated against because you may have been ill before.
However, proving that your illness or condition was exacerbated or accelerated as a result of your accident can be difficult. An expert solicitor can help you with this if you decide to claim.
For example, you will need to show that somebody was at fault for your accident, and that your injuries were caused by their negligence. You will also need to provide evidence that your condition was worsened by the ordeal or the event.
To help with this, we recommend you see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident so that they can assess the impact, give you advice on recovery and make sure your injuries are recorded. Of course, it can take time for the real impact on your condition to appear, so we recommend visiting a GP or medical practitioner whenever you feel unwell.
As part of the claims process, you’ll also be invited for a free medical assessment. This is nothing to worry about and is a routine part of all claims. It’s simply another opportunity for you to get expert advice and for your solicitor to gather information to support your case.
Car accidents can be devastating events that result in both minor and severe injuries. Neck injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain damage, paralysis, and even fatalities can occur.
Naturally, if someone else was at fault for your injury, you have every right to make a compensation claim.
While a pre-existing condition can complicate the process, it doesn’t mean you won’t be eligible for a financial award.
However, your solicitor will need to work hard to prove your injuries and not let the negligent party’s insurance provider blame it on any existing conditions.
Whiplash injuries typically occur when the head jerks backwards after a sudden movement. They’re most common with car crashes, and your injury could be more severe if you have a previous neck condition or degenerative disc disease.
Your solicitor will work to:
There’s no set amount for a pre-existing neck injury; your compensation depends on the previous neck injury and how the most recent incident worsens it. Your solicitor will review your case and gather evidence to ensure you get the money you deserve.
They’ll review the injury, any pain and suffering it causes and factor in special damages. For example, lost earnings, travel expenses, medical bills, and anything else can count towards your compensation.
If you’re ready to speak to someone, you can call a trained legal adviser for free on 0800 234 6438. All calls are advisory, and there’s no obligation to start a claim – your adviser simply wants to help you by answering any questions you might have about making a claim. If you wish to proceed, they can then put you in touch with an expert injury solicitor.
It can be difficult to know if somebody is at fault for your accident. If you’re unsure at all, we recommend contacting a legal adviser for free on 0800 234 6438 – they’re trained to be able to identify where there may be somebody at fault.
Typically, somebody is at fault when they have failed to:
If the accident that made your pre-existing condition worse or caused you further health complications was partly your fault you may still be able to claim compensation, as long as someone else was still partly to blame.
For example, if your injuries were caused by you crossing the road without looking first, but you were hit by a car that was speeding, the person driving the speeding car would still be held responsible for your accident – though any compensation awarded may be reduced to take in to account that you were partly at fault.
Where your injuries are particularly serious this share of liability could have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you receive; if you are found to be 25% to blame, a compensation award of £4m would be reduced by £1m.
There is a chance that the other side will try and blame you, at least partly, for the accident – even if you were completely blameless. This is to try and minimise the amount of compensation you could receive.
If this happens, please don’t worry. Your solicitor is on hand to negotiate on your behalf and will have experience working with claims where liability isn’t immediately admitted. In those types of cases, your solicitor will gather new evidence to support your claim and keep you updated on the steps they take to recover your compensation.
However, one thing that can help to avoid this altogether is gathering as much evidence as possible to back up your claim. This could include:
If your chronic condition was made worse because you were a victim of a crime, for example an assault, you can make a claim for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
The CICA is a government agency that deals with compensation claims from blameless victims of violent crimes, who have been physically or mentally injured in England, Scotland or Wales.
You can claim for physical and mental injuries caused by the criminal assault and for past or future loss of earnings or special expenses caused by a crime, similar to a normal personal injury claim. Included in this is the impact on any chronic, lifelong or pre-existing injury or condition.
To be eligible to apply for a CICA award you must:
If you have two or more injuries so serious that each, on its own would qualify, you may be entitled to:
Nicola is a dual qualified journalist and non-practising solicitor. She is a legal journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years' experience writing about the law.
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If you win your case, your solicitor's success fee will be taken from the compensation you are awarded - up to a maximum of 25%. Your solicitor will discuss any fees before starting your case.
