Serious Injury · Personal Injury Claims
Serious Personal Injury Solicitors — Public Liability & Specialist Claims
Specialist advice for those who have suffered serious injuries in circumstances beyond road accidents and workplace incidents.
Part of our wider Serious Injury Claims services
No obligation — speak to us first.
Serious personal injuries can arise in many circumstances beyond road accidents and workplace incidents. At PDA Law, our serious injury lawyers act for clients who have suffered serious injuries in public places, on private premises, through defective products, burn injuries and in other settings.
We focus on complex, multi-track claims where the injury has had a significant and lasting impact. We do not handle minor injury claims or fixed-cost work.
Types of Serious Personal Injury Claim
Serious injuries in public places
Falls, structural failures or dangerous conditions in shopping centres, car parks, public buildings and open spaces where the occupier has failed in their duty of care.
Serious injuries on private premises
Injuries sustained on private property — including residential premises, private clubs and leisure facilities — where the occupier has breached their duty under the Occupiers' Liability Acts.
Serious burn injury claims
Serious burn injuries caused by fires, explosions, chemical exposure or defective products. As specialist burn injury lawyers, we handle claims involving permanent scarring, long-term treatment and psychological impact.
Defective product injuries
Serious injuries caused by defective or unsafe products — including machinery, vehicles, medical devices and consumer goods — under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
Sports and leisure injuries
Serious injuries sustained during organised sporting activities, at leisure facilities or as a result of inadequate safety measures — where negligence or breach of duty can be established.
Assaults causing serious injury
Where a serious injury has been caused by an assault, a claim may be possible against the perpetrator, an employer or a premises owner — and through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Establishing Liability — The Key Challenge
Serious personal injury claims outside the road accident and workplace context often involve complex liability issues. Unlike road traffic accidents — where fault is often clear — public liability and occupier liability claims require careful investigation of:
- Whether the defendant owed a duty of care in the circumstances
- Whether that duty was breached — and what standard of care applied
- Whether the breach caused the injury (causation)
- Whether there are multiple potential defendants
- Whether contributory negligence may reduce the award
We investigate liability thoroughly from the outset — gathering evidence, instructing liability experts and putting the defendant on notice before evidence is lost or destroyed.
What Compensation Covers
Serious personal injury compensation can include two broad categories of loss:
General Damages
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Psychological impact
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of congenial employment
Special Damages
- Past and future care costs
- Loss of earnings (past and future)
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Equipment, adaptations and accommodation
- Travel and other out-of-pocket expenses
Where the injury has resulted in permanent disability or significant long-term care needs, we ensure the full value of the claim is properly quantified — including future losses that may extend over many years.
Interim Payments — Funds Before Settlement
Where liability is admitted or likely to be established, we can apply for an interim payment — a payment on account of your eventual compensation — to fund immediate rehabilitation, care and other needs while the claim is ongoing.
You do not have to wait until your claim settles to receive financial support. We pursue interim payments as a priority in every serious injury case.
How Our Serious Injury Lawyers Approach Your Claim
Serious personal injury claims outside the road accident and workplace context require careful, thorough investigation. Our serious injury lawyers instruct specialist liability experts — including accident investigators, structural engineers, product liability experts and health and safety consultants — to build a strong evidential foundation for the claim.
Where the injury has resulted in brain injury, spinal injury, amputation or serious burns, we work with the same specialist medical experts and care consultants as in our dedicated injury-type cases — ensuring the full extent of the client's losses is properly quantified.
We are transparent about costs and funding from the outset. Most serious personal injury claims are funded on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win, no fee) basis, with After the Event insurance to protect against adverse costs.
We'll explain costs clearly before any work begins.
Judicial College Guidelines
What You May Be Entitled To
We understand that at this stage, understanding the potential value of your claim is important — both for peace of mind and for planning ahead. The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (16th Edition), the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales.
These figures cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. In serious injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Psychiatric & Psychological Injuries
Severe psychiatric damage
£66,920 – £141,240
Marked impact on all aspects of life; poor prognosis
Moderately severe psychiatric damage
£23,270 – £66,920
Significant problems but better prognosis with professional help
Moderate psychiatric damage
£7,150 – £23,270
Marked improvement; good prognosis
Less severe psychiatric damage
£1,880 – £7,150
Minor symptoms; good recovery
Severe PTSD
£73,050 – £122,850
Permanent effects preventing return to pre-trauma functioning
Moderately severe PTSD
£28,250 – £73,050
Significant disability but better prognosis with professional help
Moderate PTSD
£9,980 – £28,250
Largely recovered with some persisting effects
Less severe PTSD
£4,820 – £9,980
Virtual full recovery within 1–2 years
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Severe psychiatric damage | £66,920 – £141,240 | Marked impact on all aspects of life; poor prognosis |
| Moderately severe psychiatric damage | £23,270 – £66,920 | Significant problems but better prognosis with professional help |
| Moderate psychiatric damage | £7,150 – £23,270 | Marked improvement; good prognosis |
| Less severe psychiatric damage | £1,880 – £7,150 | Minor symptoms; good recovery |
| Severe PTSD | £73,050 – £122,850 | Permanent effects preventing return to pre-trauma functioning |
| Moderately severe PTSD | £28,250 – £73,050 | Significant disability but better prognosis with professional help |
| Moderate PTSD | £9,980 – £28,250 | Largely recovered with some persisting effects |
| Less severe PTSD | £4,820 – £9,980 | Virtual full recovery within 1–2 years |
Your claim may be worth significantly more than the figures above.
Special damages — care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, equipment and home adaptations — are calculated individually and often substantially exceed the general damages figure. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a realistic, confidential assessment.
Source: Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 16th Edition. Figures are for general damages only and are subject to judicial discretion. Correct as at publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compensation
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“After a serious assault left me with life-changing injuries, the psychological impact was just as devastating as the physical. Jonathan ensured every aspect of my suffering was recognised and properly compensated.”
Rachel M.
Serious personal injury — assault claim, Chester
Testimonials reflect individual client experiences. Results may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
Serious Injury — By Injury Type
Brain Injury Claims
Traumatic and acquired brain injury compensation claims
Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal cord and vertebral injury compensation claims
Amputation Claims
Traumatic and surgical amputation injury claims
Fatal Accident Claims
Claims for families following a fatal accident
Children's Serious Injury
Serious injury claims on behalf of children
Related Serious Injury Claims
Your Personal Injury Journey
Related Claims — What Else You May Need
Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Jonathan has over 10 years' specialist experience in complex personal injury, military claims, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. He has achieved multiple six-figure settlements in high-value cases.
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