What should I consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer?

Gerard Stilliard, head of personal injury strategy at Thompsons Solicitors, outlines what to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer to manage your compensation claim.

1. Are they experts in personal injury law?

There are law firms that dabble in personal injury and then there are real specialists in their field, like Thompsons Solicitors. Appointing a specialist lawyer will ensure your personal injury claim for compensation is in safe hands - make sure you thoroughly research your preferred personal injury law firm before appointing them as your legal representative.

Thompsons Solicitors ensures all of its personal injury lawyers receive regular and extensive legal training throughout their time at the firm. The regular training, together with the firm’s decades of experience and lawyers who work in very specialist teams, ensures clients receive the highest-quality legal advice and representation. As a result, many of our personal injury team have been recognised and commended by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Learn more about them by visiting the our people section.

2. Do they have examples of clients they have acted for, who are pleased with the results and happy with the amount of compensation they received?

All law firms will claim they will do their best for you, but is what they claim believable and do they really look like experts that have a proven track record in winning compensation claims? Thompsons Solicitors has over 100 years’ experience in helping people to secure the maximum amount of personal injury compensation in the shortest possible time. We are also, unlike any other law firm in the UK, uniquely dedicated to injured people – we refuse to act for insurance companies. Read the stories of some of the tens of thousands of people we’ve helped.

3. What are their payment terms?

Payment terms and conditions between law firms can often seem similar, but there can be small variations that make a big difference. It’s vital that you understand these and what you’re signing up to before you appoint your personal injury lawyer - otherwise you could find yourself out of pocket when another firm could have provided a better deal.

And be careful about being tempted by firms that promise ‘no win, no fee’. While there may be no fees to pay if you are unsuccessful with your claim, many high street law firms will deduct large sums of your personal injury compensation to cover their legal fees at the end of your case.

Thompsons Solicitors can discuss a range of funding options with you, including no fees if your claim is unsuccessful, but we will never charge more than 25 per cent of your compensation. Click to learn more about our variety of fees and payment options.

If you or someone in your family are a member of a trade union, membership entitles you to free legal advice from Thompsons Solicitors and 100 per cent of the compensation we secure when your personal injury claim is successful. Visit our dedicated trade union website for more information.

4. Do they have links to support groups?

Choosing a personal injury lawyer with established links to charities and support groups can ensure you and your family have access to specialist care, rehabilitation services and emotional and physical support. Thompsons Solicitors is proud to work alongside a wide array of support networks based across the UK, to ensure its clients are able to get their lives back on track as quickly as possible following a personal injury.

5. Are they local?

Being able to put your trust in the person managing your personal injury claim is important whatever your type of compensation claim. Thompsons Solicitors has a UK-wide network of personal injury specialists, who are committed to combining local knowledge with their legal expertise to ensure every client receives a first-rate service. To find your nearest Thompsons Solicitors office, visit our offices page.

How can Thompsons Solicitors help me?

Since 1921, Thompsons Solicitors has represented hundreds of thousands of people to make successful personal injury claims for compensation, and has established itself as the UK’s leading personal injury law firm. Learn more about how we can help you make a personal injury compensation claim by calling our friendly legal enquiry team on 0800 0 224 224 or by completing our online start a claim form.