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.
Send us a message
“We fight to get you the compensation you deserve”
Greg Almond
Head of Personal Injury
stars
Posted 16 January 2026
I found George very helpful in supporting me with my settlement claim. He ensured that he had read all the documentation prior to our meeting and kept me informed at all times.
Andrea Newman
stars
Posted 16 January 2026
Laura and Amy were professional and friendly from the Start. Laura put me at ease straight away and everything was explained to me in a manner that I understood. This is not the first time I have seen her, she organised Probate for me in 2024 and I wouldn't hesitate to use her again or recommend her.
Janet Altman
stars
Posted 16 January 2026
I changed my solicitors to Rothera Bray and was allocated Sarah Gill to act for me. Sarah was superb! She motivated me to fight on, advised me on the law, guided me through the legal process and gave me confidence in court. It was a very difficult fight but together we achieved a most satisfactory conclusion. While Sarah was very professional, I felt she was my friend. She kept me focused and determined to see my fight through to the end. Thank you, Sarah. You are great.
Heidi
stars
Posted 15 January 2026
I have been working with VUS Ltd for almost a year now following a DVSA Stop and subsequent MIVR they were recently summoned to an STL Meeting at The Office of Traffic Commissioner, I advised the MD of VUS that it would be advisable to get a specialist Transport Solicitor on board to assist with this matter. I always give the names of 2 different Solicitors to my client one being Georgina Power who I had worked with on a PI for Woodspace Ltd (t/a C Dart). Thank you again to Georgina who did a very professional job and I will contact her again when I need to.
Peter Adams - Transport Manger
stars
Posted 15 January 2026
I was put in contact with Georgina Power at Rothera Bray Solicitors following our request to attend an STL (Senior Team Leader meeting with the Traffic Commissioner). From the first conversation I was made to feel comfortable with both the professionalism along with the knowledge/experience to deal with our case. Throughout the process we were guided/advised in all area's along with the required expectations, a witness statement was prepared along with the required supporting evidence in advance of our case. At the STL meeting we were supported by Georgina verbally and on the back of this a positive outcome was achieved.
G Barker
stars
Posted 13 January 2026
Rothera Bray put a strong hardship case for me successfully. I would like to give a personal thanks to Anton who was kind, approachable and I was impressed with his professionalism. If you want a lawyer who will work your behalf to get the best result then look no further. I can not thank them enough.
Chris H
stars
Posted 9 January 2026
Will was amazing, very quick to respond and professional in my recent experience with the company. Highly recommended.
Karen A
stars
Posted 7 January 2026
We had an excellent experience working with Amelia. She helped us with setting up trusts for our properties, gifting a property, and preparing our wills, all handled with great professionalism and clarity. Everything was completed to a tight deadline and Amelia ensured the process ran smoothly from start to finish. She also linked us with an accountant and arranged the necessary documentation for related activities and ongoing financial management, which made everything seamless and stress-free. We felt well supported throughout and would highly recommend Amelia’s services.
Matt R
stars
Posted 6 January 2026
Emma was very calm and professional, her advice was spot on especially when dealing with sensitive matters such as the children.
S.S
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
The final run up to completion of our sale was very stressful but we were helped by Luisa, Abbey's assistant. She maintained contact with us and updated us at each stage, extremely calm, empathetic and approachable at all times. She went out of her way to find information for us and keep us informed of the progress.
Residential Sale client
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
We have recently instructed Rothera Bray for the sale of our house and purchase of our new home. It has been a challenging sequence of events, for various reasons outside of our control, but Abbey Freeman has guided us through it, giving us information and explanations very clearly and answering our questions in a timely manner.
Conveyancing client
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
We asked Rothera Bray Solicitors - West Bridgford to write our wills and received excellent service and guidance from Talita Fantauzzi. She was professional and friendly in delivering the advice we needed. We would definitely recommend Rothera Bray Solicitors and would use them for any future legal advice and work we may require.
Susan T
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.
Sheryl Peters
Senior Paralegal
Sheryl Peters is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Serious Personal Injury team, and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham 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.
Rowan Ketteridge
Paralegal
Rowan Ketteridge is a Paralegal in the 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.
New inheritance tax rules for farms: £2.5 million relief cap explained
Changes are coming to inheritance tax (IHT) for agricultural and business assets. After strong pushback on the original £1 million cap announced in the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Treasury has revised its plans.
Half the Story charity supported with pro bono legal work from Rothera Bray
Rothera Bray has helped Grace Enterprises expand its social impact through a new state-of-the-art bakery for its social enterprise, Half the Story.
The firm’s Commercial Property team provided no-cost legal support to the Nottingham-based charity, which is dedicated to transforming lives through supportive employment in sustainable businesses.
Survivors of the 2023 Nottingham attack by Valdo Calocane respond to the publication of a CQC report into the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Below is a statement given by Greg Almond, Partner and Head of Serious Injury at Rothera Bray Solicitors who represents two of the survivors of the attack, Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller. Greg represents Wayne and Sharon in their civil claims and at the Inquiry which will begin to hear the evidence from 23rd February 2026. The Inquiry is expected to last until early June.
People Focus: Jasmin Marshall – Wills & Probate
Meet Jasmin Marshall, our Associate Solicitor in the Wills & Probate team at our Mapperley office. She shares her inspiring journey into law and gives us a glimpse into life at one of our friendly and close-knit offices.