What Can I Make a Personal Injury Claim for?
Many people tend to assume that when someone makes a claim for personal injury, they are purely making a claim for money for the injuries sustained.
However in many cases, a personal injury has a more profound impact on the individual’s life. For example, they might be unable to work, or when serious injuries have been sustained, they might have long term care and equipment needs. Or adaptations may have to be made to their house or need to move to a different house.
There are a number of different heads of damage that an injured person can claim.
General Damages
This head of loss, also known as pain and suffering, is awarded for physical and psychological injuries sustained in an accident. As well as the actual injury, we take into consideration any loss of amenity when valuing this head of loss, for example, if a person has been unable to take part in their hobbies, or leisure pastimes, as a result of the accident.
The amount of compensation you receive for general damages will vary depending on the severity of your injuries. We value a claim by instructing an independent medical expert. The expert will review your medical records and examine you to prepare a report. We will then use the report to help us value your claim. We do this by researching case law and considering a publication used by the Courts, entitled the Judicial College Guidelines.
Special Damages
This is compensation for any financial losses, or out of pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of your accident. This can include:
Loss of earnings – This includes income lost since the accident, as a result of you being unable to work, or working reduced hours. It can also include future loss of earnings, if you can no longer work, or you have a reduced working capacity.
Pension loss – If you have had to give up work, or have been absent from work and either yourself, or your employer has stopped making contributions to your pension, then this could have an effect on your pension entitlement.
Treatment costs – You might have needed to buy aids, or equipment to help you better cope with your injuries, or paid for private treatment with a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath to help your recovery.
Prescriptions and over the counter medication – If you have purchased over the counter medication, or paid for prescriptions, you may be able to claim back the cost, especially if you need to continue taking them in the future.
Care and assistance – You may require assistance from professional carers, or even friends, or family members in the short, or longer term. You may be able to claim the cost of professional carers, or make a claim for gratuitous care if help was provided by family and friends.
Travelling costs – If your injuries mean that you can no longer drive, or you need to attend frequent medical appointments, you may have extra costs for taxis and public transport.
Loss of use of a vehicle – If you were involved in a road traffic accident that damaged your car, leaving you unable to drive it, then you may be able to claim for the period of time that you are without a vehicle.
Personal effects – If some of your clothing, or personal effects were damaged in the accident, then you may be able to recover costs for these items.
Maintenance and housekeeping costs – You may be able to recover any costs you have incurred employing the professional services of someone to carry out maintenance, or housekeeping, gardening, cleaning, DIY and car maintenance, or you could make a gratuitous care claim, if family and friends provided help.
Housing costs – If your injuries are particularly severe, you may need to make adaptations to your current home. These could include the installation of handrails, ramps and stair lifts. In the most serious of cases, if reasonable adaptations cannot be made to your home to meet your needs, then you might need alternative accommodation.
The above list is not exhaustive but gives an indication of the various heads of loss that you may be able to claim. If you instruct a member of Rothera Bray’s personal injury team, they will assess which heads of loss you may be able to recover. Please remember that it is up to you as the Claimant to prove your losses, so please retain evidence, such as receipts and invoices.
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“We fight to get you the compensation you deserve”
Greg Almond
Head of Personal Injury
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Posted 6 November 2025
Everyone I spoke to at Rothera Bray was friendly and helped me to achieve the result of purchasing my house. The online list of tasks did allow me to see what was still outstanding which was helpful. I would recommend Rothera Bray due to the professional and friendly service I received.
Zoe H
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Posted 6 November 2025
It’s not everyday that you have to deal with employment legal matters and is naturally an uncomfortable position, but Lauren very quickly explained where I stood, what the options were and supported me throughout the next steps. Clear, confident communication throughout with a genuine sense of empathy. Thanks.
N
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Posted 5 November 2025
Sara Odedra was our Conveyancer both for the sale of our house and the purchase of our new one. She was efficient, approachable and professional. She kept us constantly updated on both properties and we would recommend her completely. Thank you Sara for an excellent service.
Debbie James
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Posted 3 November 2025
Really happy I chose Rothera Bray after reading the reviews. Following a redundancy I needed to instruct a solicitor, and Will Trotter was fantastic at taking me through the agreement and explaining all of the jargon. Great consultation and action following our initial meeting - regular follow ups and quick communication. Would recommend for anyone finding themselves in a similar position.
C Norman
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Posted 3 November 2025
I received support from Laura to register an Enduring Power of Attorney that had been set up many years ago. Laura was knowledgeable, clearly explained the steps we had to go through and the cost. She was kind and patient with my mum who has dementia and was proactive in progressing the activity. I would definitely recommend working with her.
Fiona McLaglen
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Posted 3 November 2025
Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for all your help and kindness over the past year sorting out my consent order. You have made life so much easier for both myself and my parents.
Mrs C
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Posted 3 November 2025
Following a poor experience with another solicitor, Ellie Robinson completely turned around our expectations of the conveyancing process. The process was quick and efficient, largely down to her communications which were clear, concise and timely. If we ever had any questions she was happy to explain things and made sure to get back to us as quickly as possible. She is clearly a great asset to the company.
Mike Smith
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Posted 2 November 2025
We had a fantastic experience with Ellie for our conveyancing. She was professional, efficient, and kept us updated every step of the way. The whole process went smoothly and was stress-free, thanks to her clear communication and attention to detail. We’d highly recommend Ellie to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable conveyancer who communicates well.
Melissa G
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Posted 2 November 2025
I emailed a number of solicitors around Nottingham about taking on my divorce case. Most didn't reply. Emma Adcock contacted me by phone, that same day, for an initial chat. I was having a really awful, stressful time, but after speaking with Emma, I felt confident that she would guide me through the process. She's vey approachable, and I felt I could contact her with all manner of queries
Alison
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Posted 30 October 2025
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your excellent work in handling the sale of our property. Your professionalism, efficiency, and clear communication made what could have been a complex process smooth and stress-free. From the initial stages through to completion, your attention to detail and timely updates gave us great confidence that everything was being managed with care and expertise. We are truly grateful for your dedication and for the courteous manner in which you addressed all our questions and concerns along the way. It has been a real pleasure working with you, and we would not hesitate to recommend your services to others in need of a reliable and knowledgeable solicitor.
Kishore Makadia
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Posted 30 October 2025
The experience with Rothera Bray at the Beeston Office has been excellent. The Conveyancing team, Emily Weston, Grace Millward, Samantha Buckle and Laura Runcak have all been extremely efficient, diligent and consciousness in a friendly personal manner. They completed the whole transaction process, within the time scale I had requested/hoped for in the outset. I would recommend Rothera Bray's Conveyancing Department for their Professionalism.
Beeston Client
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Posted 30 October 2025
TOP TEAM recommendation, Emily Weston solicitor at Rothera Bray, the Quadrant Beeston and Laura Runcak were all we could have dreamed of, to steer us through the challenges of moving house after 31 years in Beeston. Nothing was ever too much trouble and when other solicitors in the chain were jumping up and down, Emily’s calm persona ensured our mental health did not take a nose dive and the transaction stayed on track! Thank you both.
Paul Beedell
Greg Almond
Partner and Head of Serious Personal Injury
Greg qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and has specialised in Personal Injury for more than 16 years. He acts for clients who have suffered life changing injuries. Greg also specialises in clinical negligence claims.
Ian Johnson
Partner & Head of Clinical Negligence
Ian leads the Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence department in Leicestershire having worked there for over 26 years, as a Partner for over 23 of those years. He specialises in a wide range of high value serious injury claims. He’s based in our Leicester city centre office.
Julie Walker
Consultant
Julie Walker is a Consultant in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury department and has 24 years’ experience in acting for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, spinal injuries and fatal accidents.
Claire Cooper
Senior Associate Solicitor
Claire Cooper is a Senior Associate in the Claimant Medical Negligence team. She has expertise in brain injury claims, birth injury to mother and baby, group actions, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of various conditions including cancer, cosmetic, dental, product liability, inquests, fatal claims and more.
She is based at our Derby and Nottingham offices.
Abagail Clarke
Solicitor
Abagail Clarke is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury department and is based at our Lace Market office.
Rebecca Howard
Serious Injury Executive
Rebecca is a Serious Injury Executive in the Personal Injury department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Seetal Patel
Solicitor
Seetal Patel is a solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury department with a specialism in abuse cases, and is based at our Lace Market office.
Amelia Fragola-Hunt
Paralegal
Amelia Fragola-Hunt is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Molly Francis
Paralegal
Molly Francis is a paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Heather McDonald
Paralegal
Heather McDonald is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Karina Patel
Paralegal
Karina Patel is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Personal Injury department and is based at our Lace Market office.
Ellie Spence
Paralegal
Ellie Spence is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Personal Injury department and is based at our Lace Market office.
Lucy Tyler
Paralegal
Lucy Tyler is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
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