Glossary of Personal Injury Terms

*After the Event Insurance
An insurance policy that you buy after an accident that covers your legal costs incurred by using a solicitor to deal with your claim

*Before the Event Insurance
An insurance policy that you buy before an accident that covers your legal costs incurred by using a solicitor to deal with your claim

Compensation
The same as Damages; the money you receive in compensation for the injury you sustained

*Conditional Fee Agreement
An agreement between you and your solicitor that states how the solicitor will be paid for the work done for you

CPR
Civil Procedure Rules - the rules governing the way your case must progress before and after court proceedings have been started

Damages
The money you receive in compensation for the injury you sustained

Employers Liability
A claim against you employer for damages caused by bad working practice

Indemnity
This is what you get when you buy insurance; the insurance company agrees to pay your costs for what you have insured. E.g. Your car insurance pays for damage to your car caused by an accident

Industrial Disease
An illness, or condition caused by your job. You may be able to make a claim if your employer has failed to protect you from something that caused the illness or condition. These can include deafness, dermatitis, tinnitus, asbestosis and many others.

Liability
The other party's responsibility to pay you compensation for your injuries. They are liable to you if their actions directly caused the injury you sustained.

Medical Negligence
A claim against a medical practitioner where they have treated you so wrongly that it has caused you harm

M.I.B. The Motor Insurers' Bureau
An organisation funded by all UK insurers that pays claims made by victims of accidents involved uninsured drivers, foreign drivers or victims of hit-and-run accidents.

Negligence
The legal term that means the person who caused your injury, or illness, was at fault

*No Win No Fee
The combination of a Conditional Fee Agreement and an insurance policy that means you do not need to pay your legal costs in the event your claim does not succeed. If you do succeed, the person responsible for your injury pays these costs otherwise, your legal insurance pays.

Proceedings
This means that you have sent your case to a court to decide either who was at fault for your injury, or how much your claim is worth. Proceedings are issued in court by your solicitor to settle your claim if negotiations fail to reach an agreement

Public Liability
A claim against another person or company for an accident in a public place, or on their own premises that you were visiting

Quantum
The amount of money you will receive for your claim; a formal word for Compensation

Retainer
The agreement between you and your solicitor to deal with your claim for damages

Third Party
The person or company you will take action against to get your Damages. Usually, this person is insured and the insurance company pays your claim.

* - These are written and signed agreements that do contain specific terms and conditions that you must read and understand. Our solicitors will take you through anything you are not sure of and make sure that you fully understand what you are signing. The process will be clear and simple

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