Personal Injury Claims
Amar Habib, solicitor at A&H Law Solicitors, acts exclusively for people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. With over 15 years of experience in personal injury matters, Amar has a proven track record of recovering compensation for clients and prides himself on clear, thorough communication from day one.
If you have been injured and that injury was someone else’s fault — whether they meant it or not, and whether they were fully or partly to blame — the law entitles you to seek a compensation payment to help you with how your injury has affected your life.
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What to Expect — Key Stages of Your Claim
Amar Habib will personally handle your personal injury claim from start to finish. Below is a clear outline of the typical process and timeframes so you know exactly what to expect.
Stage 1 — Free Consultation
Amar Habib will review the details of your matter, assess the merits of your claim and advise you on the best course of action. There is no obligation and no charge for this initial discussion.
Timeframe: 30 minutes — arranged same day or next working day.
Stage 2 — Letter of Claim
A formal letter is sent to the party at fault notifying them of your claim and requesting their response within the prescribed period.
Timeframe: Sent within 1–2 weeks of instruction.
Stage 3 — Obtaining Medical Evidence
An independent medical expert will assess the extent of your injuries. The type of report required will depend on your injury:
– GP medico-legal report: £216 incl. VAT (fixed under CPR 45)
– Orthopaedic report: from £504 incl. VAT
– Specialist reports: from £1,500 + VAT
Further reports may be required in more complex cases.
Timeframe: 4–16 weeks depending on injury type.
Stage 4 — Negotiation & Settlement
Amar Habib will negotiate with the opposing party or their insurers to reach a fair settlement on your behalf. Many claims are resolved at this stage without the need for court proceedings.
Timeframe: Varies — many cases conclude here.
Stage 5 — Court Proceedings (if required)
If a settlement cannot be reached, court proceedings will be issued to protect your claim from becoming statute barred. Court fees range from £35 to £10,000 depending on the value of your claim. Amar Habib will represent you throughout.
Timeframe: 6–18 months from issue, depending on court listing and complexity.
Overall Timeframe: Simple claims such as minor road traffic accidents typically resolve within 3–9 months. More complex or disputed matters, including clinical negligence or catastrophic injury cases, may take 12–36 months. Amar Habib will provide you with a realistic estimate at your free initial consultation.
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We Specialise In
Road Traffic Accident Claims
If you have suffered a road traffic accident due to someone else’s carelessness, Amar Habib will ensure that you get maximum compensation for your personal injury and guide you through the legal complexities.
Accident at Work
If you have suffered a physical injury, financial loss or emotional damage due to an accident at work, you have every right to file a claim. This is where Amar Habib comes in. Amar has successfully managed numerous claims for accidents at work and is fully prepared to assist you in obtaining the compensation you fairly deserve. If you have suffered injury in any form due to a lapse in health and safety protocols, you are fully qualified to file a workplace accident claim. There could also be grounds for a claim if accidents at work aggravate an existing wound or health condition. Your employer is responsible for ensuring you work in a safe environment with all necessary safety protocols.
Slips and Trips
Though there are many ways to prevent such accidents — like cleaning all spills immediately, marking wet areas, sweeping debris from floors and keeping walkways free of clutter — innocent people may still suffer due to a lack of these safety protocols. It is the duty of space owners to take necessary precautions and be responsible for other people’s safety. If you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation.
Clinical Negligence
Medical negligence happens when healthcare practitioners breach their duty of care towards their patient, which may result in the worsening of an existing condition or cause a new injury. This can occur through various means such as incorrect diagnosis, inappropriate treatment or errors during a surgical procedure. If you believe you have been a victim of clinical negligence, Amar Habib can advise you on your options.
Catastrophic Injury
Amar Habib has wide experience in all serious injury work types and claim issues, including brain injury, spinal injury, amputation, severe psychiatric injury, polytrauma and utmost severity cases. A catastrophic injury is generally defined as any serious injury that results in permanent disability, long-term medical problems or reduced life expectancy. Catastrophic injuries can cause extreme pain and suffering and can have devastating consequences for you and your family.
Public Liability
Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep public areas safe for everyone. They may be held responsible if anyone is injured due to their negligence in maintaining safety standards. Accidents are considered public liability claims when they happen in public places such as pavements, parks, shops or supermarkets.
Rehabilitation and Recovery Aid
Amar Habib can help you and your family recover compensation to assist with rehabilitation, care, treatment and loss of earnings. We work to ease your financial burden so that you and your family can focus on recovery. In some serious matters, Amar Habib can help you receive an interim payment from the party at fault, subject to liability being accepted. This will help to ease any financial hardship you may suffer following an injury.
Amar Habib will discuss with you the best course of action according to the circumstances of your case.
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Time Constraints for Filing Claims
Generally, you have three years from the date of your injury or from discovering negligent treatment to file a claim.
There are a few exceptions to this time limit:
– For minors, claims can be made until their 18th birthday, with the three-year rule applying thereafter.
– For people with a mental disorder, there is no time limit.
If you are unsure whether your claim is still within the time limit, contact Amar Habib as soon as possible for a free consultation.
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Funding a Claim
Most personal injury cases at A&H Law Solicitors operate on a no win no fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means you only pay if your claim is successful, allowing you to pursue your case with confidence and without financial risk.
Under a CFA, a success fee is charged if your case is won. This is calculated by reference to the hours worked, agreed in advance, and is capped by law at 25% of your compensation. For example, if you receive damages of £5,000, the maximum success fee payable would be £1,250 inclusive of VAT.
A Damages Based Agreement (DBA) is another type of no win no fee arrangement. Under a DBA, you pay a percentage share of the damages recovered to your legal representative, so fees are referenced to the amount recovered rather than time spent.
If your claim is unsuccessful, you may still be liable for disbursements. To protect against this, it is recommended that you take out an After-the-Event (ATE) insurance policy.
Please note: A&H Law Solicitors is regulated by CILEx Regulation, which is not a Designated Professional Body under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. We are therefore unable to recommend or arrange ATE insurance directly. However, Legal Expenses Insurance — often included within home contents or motor insurance policies — may provide equivalent protection. We recommend checking your existing insurance policies, and those of your spouse or partner, for any legal expenses cover before your matter proceeds.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs paid to third parties in connection with your claim. These may include:
– Medical reports
– Vehicle engineering reports
– Counsel fees
– Court fees
Typical disbursement costs:
– GP medico-legal report: £216 incl. VAT (fixed under CPR 45)
– Orthopaedic report: from £504 incl. VAT
– Specialist reports: from £1,500 + VAT
– Engineer’s report: £180 – £2,500 incl. VAT
– Court fees: £35 – £10,000 depending on claim value
Example: Where a client receives £5,000 in damages, the success fee would be £1,250 incl. VAT. If there are no complications, the engineer’s report fee would be £180 incl. VAT and the medical report fee £216 incl. VAT. If the claim settles within three years and no court fee is required, the total client bill would be £1,484 incl. VAT and disbursements. Subject to the party at fault covering disbursements, the client would pay only £1,250 from their damages.
At A&H Law Solicitors, a help with fees application is always made on behalf of the client to establish whether they qualify for a court fee remission, which can significantly reduce disbursement costs.
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Whiplash Reforms
Under the Civil Liability Act and the whiplash reforms, the threshold at which legal costs are covered by the other side’s insurers has increased from £1,000 to £5,000. As most whiplash claims are valued at under £5,000, most claimants will no longer have their legal representation paid for by the other side.
The amount of compensation you receive for a whiplash injury has also changed, with new fixed tariffs now in place. The amount depends on how long your symptoms lasted:
