Serious Injury Guides

There's no single legal definition. Serious injuries are usually those with long-term or permanent effects, such as brain and spinal injuries, amputations, serious fractures, severe burns and loss of sight. They often affect your ability to work, live independently or enjoy the things you used to.

It depends on your injuries, how they affect your life and what they will cost you in the future. Serious injury claims can be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds or more, and financial losses such as future care and lost earnings are often the largest part. See our serious injury claims guide.

Often, yes. Where the other side accepts fault, or the court is satisfied you're likely to win a substantial amount, interim payments can be made before your claim settles to help with care, rehabilitation, housing and lost earnings.

Your compensation has to cover your future needs, so it usually isn't possible to settle until doctors can say how your injuries are likely to affect you long term. Interim payments and early rehabilitation mean you don't have to wait for help in the meantime.

If the injured person is a child or lacks mental capacity, a family member can usually bring the claim for them as their litigation friend. Care and support given by family members can also be included in the claim, even if they weren't paid.