One in eight don’t know their rights following an injury, while one in 10 fear the process would take too long
Concerns about legal costs are the biggest barrier that could stop Brits making a personal injury claim if they were injured because of somebody else’s fault, new research has revealed.
A study of 2,000 UK adults on behalf of national law firm Simpson Millar found 16% said concerns about legal fees would be most likely to stop them pursuing a claim.
One in eight (12%) said not knowing what their rights would be could prevent them taking action, while one in 10 (9%) would be put off because they believe the process would take too much time.
However, a third (34%) said nothing would stop them making a personal injury claim if they were injured because of somebody else’s fault.
Older people were much less likely to be put off making a claim.
Almost half (48%) of those aged 55 and over said nothing would stop them, compared with 17% of 18 to 24 year olds and 18% of those aged 25 to 34.
Younger adults were more concerned about the amount of time involved. Some 14% of 18 to 24 year olds said a claim being too time-consuming could stop them taking action, compared with 6% of those aged 55 and over.
A lack of understanding about their rights was also more common among the youngest respondents, with 17% of 18 to 24 year olds saying this could prevent them making a claim.
Women were almost twice as likely as men to say not knowing their rights could put them off, at 16% compared with 9%.
Concerns over legal costs themselves were much more evenly split, at 16% of women and 15% of men.
In Wales, one in five (20%) said concerns over legal fees could prevent them making a claim, followed by 18% in both the South East and East Midlands.
People in the South West were the most likely to say a lack of knowledge about their rights could stop them, at 16%.
At city level, almost a quarter (23%) of people in Plymouth said concerns about legal fees could put them off making a claim, while 22% said the same in Edinburgh.
Bristol recorded the highest proportion who said not knowing their rights could prevent them making a claim, at 18%, followed by Sheffield and Cardiff, both at 17%.
The potential barriers come despite the financial impact an injury can have.
Among people who had experienced an injury affecting their ability to work, a road traffic incident or an accident in a public place, 42% said they had been left financially worse off.
Half (50%) of those in the South West who had experienced an injury or accident said they were worse off afterwards, rising to 55% at city level in Plymouth.
And among respondents whose most recent injury affected their ability to work, one in four (25%) said they received no financial support following it.
Mark Howarth, Partner in the Personal Injury team at Simpson Millar, said: “It’s concerning that so many people are being put off finding out whether they have a claim, because of worries about cost, time or simply not knowing where they stand.
“Many people don’t realise that most personal injury claims can be funded through a No Win, No Fee agreement, so there are no upfront legal fees to pay. You also don’t need to understand your rights or the legal process before getting in touch. That’s what a specialist solicitor is there to explain.
“An injury can have a serious financial impact, particularly if it stops someone from working. Where it was caused by someone else’s negligence, compensation can cover more than the injury itself, including lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation costs, and other financial losses.
“Whether it’s the cost, the time or not knowing your rights, none of these should stop someone from getting advice and finding out what support may be available to them.”