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Personal Injury

This publication guides practitioners who advise and represent claimants in personal injury claims due to accidents at work or on public land.

1 Matter Plan

Overview

The commentary covers the preliminary interview with the client, preparatory investigative steps, and information gathering. It also deals with the relevant pre-action protocols, use of online portals, settlement, issuing and responding to proceedings, case management, disclosure, and trial.

The Reference materials folder includes a medical glossary and guidance on electronic signing and witnessing, and the comprehensive Getting the matter underway folder includes compliance and client care documents. Using the extensive Retainer Instructions when gathering information ensures nothing is missed.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • letters to:
    • the client, explaining the process and pre-action protocols;
    • insurers, enclosing documents to support a claim;
    • experts, seeking medical reports;
  • standard letters to other parties and experts;
  • letters making and accepting offers and counter-offers;
  • particulars of claim.
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1 Matter Plan Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Personal Injury - Acting for the Claimant
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Medical Glossary
    • Item icon Further information
    • Item icon Ogden Tables: actuarial compensation tables for injury and accidental death
  • Item icon Overview and limitation periods
    Most personal injury claims arise from the common law tort of negligence and, occasionally from a breach of statutory duty. This guide deals with personal injury claims, arising from:

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  • Item icon Summary of the process
    The usual steps in acting for a client in a personal injury matter are:

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  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Personal injury
    • Item icon To do list - Personal injury - Acting for the claimant
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Personal injury
    • Folder icon Compliance documents
      • Item icon Client Due Diligence and Anti-money Laundering Guidance
      • Item icon Client Details, Identity Verification and Source of Funds
      • Item icon Conflict of interest check
      • Item icon Client and matter risk assessment
      • Folder icon If required - Reporting an issue
        • Item icon Anti-money laundering internal disclosure
    • Item icon Initial letter to client enclosing client care information and terms of business
    • Folder icon Enclosures for initial letter to client
      • Item icon Client care information
      • Item icon Terms of business
      • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury
      • Item icon A summary of the personal injury claim process
      • Item icon Overview of the litigation process from a claimant's point of view
    • Item icon Funding
    • Folder icon If required - Conditional fees and damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Conditional fee agreements
      • Item icon Conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client explaining barrister's fees
      • Item icon Letter to client giving informed consent to conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Information sheet - Conditional fee agreements
      • Item icon Damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Damages-based agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing damages-based agreement for signing
      • Item icon Information sheet - Damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Notice of funding of case or claim
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Letter to client varying the Client Care and Terms of Business
      • Item icon Letter to client updating costs estimate
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, statements, declarations, consents, and execution clauses
      • Item icon Deeds and agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement with consent
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of an insurance policy
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of equitable interest in residential land
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon Deed of release and grant
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Boundary agreement
        • Item icon Confidentiality agreement
        • Item icon Construction agreement
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Statements and declarations
        • Item icon Statement of truth
        • Item icon Statement of truth - High Court
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration of solvency
        • Item icon Affidavit - General
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - General
        • Item icon Witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Agreements and contracts
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Deeds
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Overseas companies
      • Folder icon Consents
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - General
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing client’s general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing third party general consent
          • Item icon Client’s consent to provide information - General
          • Item icon Third party’s consent to provide information - General
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing client consent
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing third party consent
          • Item icon Client’s consent for health professional to provide information
          • Item icon Third party’s consent for health professional to provide information
        • Folder icon Change of name
          • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - Concise
          • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - Concise
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by an adult
            • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of adult change of name deed
            • Item icon Notice for the London Gazette on the change of name of an adult
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of an adult
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by a minor
            • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of minor change of name deed
            • Item icon Affidavit of best interest for the change of name of a minor
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of a minor
  • Folder icon B. Preparatory casework and letters before claim
    • Item icon Initial interview
      Much of the critical groundwork in a personal injury claim is done at the outset, making the initial client interview especially important. Therefore, in addition to meeting professional compliance requirements, assessing risks, advising on funding and costs, and confirming limitation periods, the ...

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    • Item icon Proof of evidence - Personal injury
    • Item icon Damages
      While the claimant’s practitioner must seek to obtain the maximum compensation for their client, most claims are settled out of court and fall within the fast track limit of £25,000. See The tracks. It is important not to raise unrealistic expectations. Any early assessment of damage should be ...

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    • Item icon Pre-action protocols
      Pre-action protocols set out in the Civil Procedure Rules, outline the steps the court expects parties to take before commencing proceedings. Their objectives are to:

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    • Item icon Letter to client advising on protocols
    • Item icon Practice direction - Pre-action conduct and protocols
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming instructions to issue proceedings despite non-compliance with protocols
    • Folder icon Client
      • Item icon Letter to client confirming initial actions and enclosing summary sheets
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing authorities
      • Item icon Letter to client to attend expert appointment
      • Item icon Letter to client sending medical report
      • Item icon Letter to client seeking wage slips, P60s, or tax returns
      • Item icon Client’s consent to provide information - General
      • Item icon Summary of medical expenses
      • Item icon Summary of other losses
    • Folder icon Ambulance
      • Item icon Letter to ambulance service for reports with authority
      • Item icon Authority for ambulance service records
    • Folder icon GP
      • Item icon Letter to GP for medical records with authority
      • Item icon Authority for GP medical records
    • Folder icon Hospital
      • Item icon Letter to hospital for medical notes with authority
      • Item icon Authority for hospital medical records
    • Folder icon Medico-legal report
      • Item icon Letter instructing a medical expert in an injury matter
      • Item icon Letter to expert seeking time for payment
      • Item icon Letter to client with irrevocable authority to pay expert from compensation
      • Item icon Irrevocable authority to pay expert from compensation
    • Folder icon Employer
      • Item icon Letter to employer for income details after an accident
      • Item icon Authority to employer to provide loss of income details
    • Item icon Letter of claim
      Under the protocols, each case begins with correspondence between the opposing sides to establish the basis of the claim. The aim is to ensure each side has enough information to assess its position and attempt early settlement without recourse to the court. A letter of claim, also known as a ...

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    • Item icon Pre-action letter of claim to defendant - Personal injury
    • Item icon Pre-action letter of claim to the defendant’s solicitor - Personal injury
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon The defendant’s reply
      A letter of response states whether the claim is accepted or denied, in whole or in part. If the letter of claim does not comply with the protocol and does not give enough detail for the defendant to assess the claim’s merits, the defendant should say so and request further information. The ...

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    • Item icon Rehabilitation
      The 2015 Rehabilitation Code promotes early intervention and rehabilitation within the compensation process. Its aim is to support the injured party's recovery from physical, social, vocational, and psychological injuries. Practitioners should take detailed instructions about the client’s injuries ...

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    • Item icon Letter to client setting out rehabilitation requirements
    • Item icon Letter to physiotherapist seeking report on rehabilitation
    • Item icon Letter to physiotherapist seeking final report
    • Item icon Letter to defendant enclosing evidence of rehabilitation
  • Folder icon C. Settling the matter
    • Item icon Settling the matter
    • Item icon Letter to the other side’s solicitor suggesting alternative dispute resolution
    • Item icon Letter to client following agreement for CFA funding
    • Item icon Mediation settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to defendant’s solicitor making Calderbank offer
    • Item icon Early neutral evaluation agreement
    • Item icon Neutral evaluator confirmation and agreement
    • Item icon Arbitration agreement
    • Item icon Interim settlement pack and response to interim settlement pack low value personal injury claims in employers' liability and public liability (£1,000 - £25,000)
    • Item icon Stage 2 settlement pack and response to settlement pack
    • Folder icon If required - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Information sheet - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Letter to client suggesting making a Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor making Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Offer to settle (Section I Part 36)
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer made
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer received
    • Item icon Settlement agreement
    • Item icon Settlement agreement - Personal injury
    • Item icon Letter to client with draft settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor with settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to court confirming settlement
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Folder icon Library of example consent orders
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for judgment notation of agreement
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order payment inclusive of costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order judgment in favour of one party
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for proceedings to be dismissed with no order as to costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for acceptance of lesser sum
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order - Settlement of personal injury claim
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor sending draft consent order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing draft consent order on settlement
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor accepting offer to settle - Personal injury
  • Folder icon D. Court practice and procedure
    • Item icon Court practice and procedure, including limitation and issuing claims
    • Item icon To do list - Personal injury - Court proceedings
    • Folder icon If required - Limitation issues
      • Item icon Personal injury limitation flowchart
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to extend limitation
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to suspend limitation
    • Item icon Official injury Claim – Ministry of Justice
    • Item icon Claims Portal
    • Item icon Claims Portal User Guide - Knowledge Base
  • Folder icon E. Statements of case, filing and service
    • Item icon Starting a claim
      Particulars of claim Provide a concise statement of the material facts relied on and verify it with a statement of truth: r 16.2(1)(a). The particulars should identify the issues and the scope of the dispute, be factual and be supported by evidence.

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    • Folder icon Claims under £25,000
      • Item icon Letter to court issuing proceedings
      • Item icon Claim notification form - low value personal injury claims in employers' liability - accident only (£1,000 - £25,000)
      • Item icon Claim notification form - low value personal injury claims in employer's liability - disease (£1,000 - £25,000)
      • Item icon Court proceedings pack (part A)
      • Item icon Claim notification form (PL1)
      • Item icon Claim notification form (defendant only) (PL2)
      • Item icon Claim notification - low value personal injury claims in employers' liability - accident only (£1,000 - £25,000) - Defendant only
      • Item icon Claim notification - low value personal injury claims in employers' liability - disease (£1,000 - £25,000) - Defendant only
    • Folder icon Claims over £25,000
      • Item icon Claim form (CPR Part 7)
      • Item icon Claim form (N1SDT)
      • Item icon Letter to court issuing proceedings
    • Item icon Clause - Particulars of claim - Accident at work
    • Item icon Clause - Particulars of claim - Slip and trip in a public land
    • Item icon Schedule of past and future loss and expense
    • Item icon Letter to client enclosing notice of issue
    • Item icon Letter to court filing claim
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming issue of proceedings where service is to be delayed
    • Item icon Service
    • Item icon Letter to defendant serving claim
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving claim
    • Folder icon Enclosures for letter serving claim - Response pack
      • Item icon Guidance for defendants replying to the claim form: N1C
      • Item icon Response pack
      • Item icon Admission (specified amount)
      • Item icon Admission (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
      • Item icon Defence form
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (specified amount)
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon Defendant’s response
    • Item icon Example content - Reply to defence
    • Item icon Extension of time
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor responding to request for extension of time
    • Item icon Counterclaims and additional claims
  • Folder icon F. Interim applications
    • Item icon Interim applications
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about default judgment
    • Item icon Request for judgment and reply to admission (specified amount)
    • Item icon Request for judgment by default (amount to be decided by the court)
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about summary judgment
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Item icon Clause - Wording for Form N244 requesting summary judgment
    • Item icon Example content - Draft order for summary judgment
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Folder icon If required - Evidence
      • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to client after summary judgment success
  • Folder icon G. Case management and directions
    • Item icon Case management including directions questionnaire
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (small claims track)
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (fast track, intermediate track and multi-track)
    • Folder icon Enclosures for directions questionnaire - Disclosure and costs
      • Item icon Disclosure report
      • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
      • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent H – Costs budget
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent S – Bill of costs
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming costs budget
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving costs budget
    • Item icon Small claims track standard directions
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Fast track standard directions
    • Item icon Multi-track standard directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
  • Folder icon H. Disclosure and evidence
    • Item icon Disclosure
    • Item icon Letter to client regarding disclosure
    • Item icon Letter to client sending N265 for approval
    • Item icon Standard disclosure
    • Item icon Electronic documents questionnaire (Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction 31B)
    • Item icon Disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor requesting to inspect documents
    • Item icon Evidence
    • Folder icon Library of evidence documents
      • Item icon Proof of evidence
      • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon General form of affidavit
      • Item icon Clause - Affidavit for civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - Civil matters
      • Item icon Notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence
      • Item icon Notice to admit facts
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Expert witnesses
    • Item icon Letter to expert requesting report
    • Item icon Letter to court filing expert's report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving expert's report
    • Folder icon Medico-legal report
      • Item icon Letter instructing a medical expert in an injury matter
      • Item icon Letter to expert seeking time for payment
      • Item icon Letter to client with irrevocable authority to pay expert from compensation
      • Item icon Irrevocable authority to pay expert from compensation
  • Folder icon I. Final hearing and costs
    • Item icon Preparation for the final hearing including court bundles
    • Item icon Letter to counsel enclosing brief
    • Item icon Brief to counsel - Civil matters
    • Item icon Letter to client advising of court hearing date
    • Item icon Letter to court advising client will not attend
    • Item icon Letter to witness advising hearing date
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Court bundles
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle cover page
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle index
    • Item icon Case summary
    • Item icon Chronology - Civil matters
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing index to trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to court filing trial bundle
    • Item icon Costs for the final hearing
    • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
    • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
    • Item icon Precedent H User Guide
    • Item icon Precedent S User Guide
    • Item icon Final hearing
      Preparation for the final hearing including court bundles

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  • Folder icon J. Finalising the matter
    • Folder icon If required - Discontinuance
      • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
      • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to client advising successful outcome and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Letter to client advising unsuccessful outcome with advice about appeal and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Letter to client finalising the matter
    • Item icon Example invoice
    • Item icon Invoice recital - Personal injury
    • Item icon Information sheet - Explaining the bill and authority to deduct
    • Item icon Closing the file
    • Item icon File closing checklist
    • Item icon File review form - General
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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