Can I Request A Personal Injury Claim Interim Payment?

By Jo Jeffries. Last Updated 26th January 2023. Welcome to this Accident Claims UK guide which explains what you may need to know about claiming an interim payment for a personal injury claim with the help of injury solicitors. In the sections below, we look at the role of an interim payment in personal injury law. We discuss whether you could receive an interim payment in a car accident claim, and answer frequently asked questions such as ‘What is an interim payment?’, ‘Can I ask for an interim payment?’ and ‘How long does it take to get an interim payment?’ We also give an example of an interim payment and explain how our accident claims solicitors could help secure interim payments for their clients.

Has an incident caused by a third party who had a responsibility to keep you safe caused an avoidable injury? Then you may be eligible to claim compensation for your suffering. You could also receive compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your finances. Such as medical expenses.

Can I ask for an interim payment?

A solicitor and two people working together to request a personal injury claim interim payment

Claims for personal injury can come in all different varieties. Some may have suffered minor harm while others face life-changing injuries. In some cases, where severe injuries are caused and cases may take some time to settle you could receive a personal injury claim interim payment. The interim payment will cover the claimant’s immediate expenses, such as loss of earnings. This guide will explain how to make a compensation claim for the harm suffered, including serious injuries and life-changing injuries.

To begin your compensation claim for an accident that was not your fault, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Accident Claims UK. We can handle your case on a No Win No Fee basis. To claim compensation, call our helpline today on 0800 073 8801. Or contact us via our website.

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A Guide On When You Could Request A Personal Injury Claim Interim Payment

If you have suffered a serious injury, your quality of life may have been affected. For instance, you may have been unable to work for some time because your injuries incapacitated you. If your injuries are caused or due to those who have a duty of care towards your safety breaching this, you may wish to claim compensation for your injuries. However, personal injury claims usually take a few months to settle. In the meantime, you may need funds immediately to cover costs you have, relating to your injuries.

Who could request an interim payment in personal injury law?

If you make a personal injury claim, your lawyer can request an interim payment from the defendant. The interim payment may cover the cost of any income lost if the claimant cannot work whilst recovering from their injuries. Or the interim payment can cover the claimant’s medical expenses or the cost of care. We will go into more detail about what costs interim payments can cover later in this guide. Remember though, an interim payment can only be requested if the case is in your favour.

This guide will look  at what is needed for your case to be valid. We will also explain how to make an interim payment request for a personal injury claim. To begin your claim, please get in touch with Accident Claims UK.

What Is A Personal Injury Claim Interim Payment For Serious Injuries?

What are interim payments? In a personal injury claim, a claimant will sometimes receive an interim payment. A personal injury claim interim payment is paid out before the claimant receives their final compensation payout. The purpose of an interim payout is to cover a claimant’s immediate expenses following their accident.

An interim payment is paid after the defendant has admitted liability for the claimant’s injuries before the claim has been settled. Moreover, the interim payment will be deducted from the claimant’s final compensation payout. The majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court. However, whether your claim is settled in court or out of court, your solicitor can still request an interim payment. They are often requested when parts of the case are taking a while to settle. So rather than wait until the conclusion of the case, you can request parts of the compensation early.

What Is The Purpose Of An Interim Payment?

Becoming injured may be disruptive to your life. For example, if you suffer from a life-changing injury, you may spend weeks in the hospital or have to go into a rehabilitation unit. You may have to take extended leave from work. If your injuries are severe, you may not return to work or may have to retrain for a new job.

As well as being distressing, serious injuries can also be costly. Being unable to work can leave an injured person without an income. On the other hand, the injured person’s expenses may increase. You may need costly medical treatment. Likewise, you may find you have to pay for mobility equipment or home adaptations if you have become disabled.

If a personal injury claim is successful, a claimant will receive general damages. General damages are compensation for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injuries. Plus, the claimant may receive special damages. Special damages reimburse the claimant for any financial losses associated with their injuries. However, personal injury claims can take months to settle, so if a claimant needs funds right away, their solicitor can request an interim payment from the defendant.

Interim Payments Can Cover The Following Expenses

  • Interim payments can include funds to pay for adapting your home or car if you have become disabled following your injuries. Similarly, you can claim mobility equipment expenses.
  • Your interim payment can also include medical expenses, such as payment for an operation, medication, physiotherapy or rehabilitation.
  • And if you were unable to work following your accident, you can claim interim payments to cover your loss of income.
  • Care expenses, including funds to pay a friend or relative who is caring for you.

As we have said previously the important aspect to remember is that not call claimants can request an interim payment. When an interim payment is requested the case must be in the favour of the claimant or the defendant must have admitted liability.

How Does A Serious Injury Interim Payment Work?

If you have suffered a serious or life-changing injury because of negligence on the part of a third party that owed you a duty of care you may be thinking of making a personal injury claim to help you get back on your feet. If the defendant admits liability but your case is complicated and may take a while to settle in full, you may receive interim payments to help you cover any costs. Let’s look at how the process of receiving a personal injury claim interim payment works.

  1. The defendant admits they were at fault and therefore liable for any injuries caused. By admitting liability, the outcome of the claim will likely be in the claimant’s favour.
  2. Therefore, the claimant’s solicitor requests an interim payment to cover the claimant’s expenses.
  3. Finally, the defendant may or may not agree to pay an interim payment to the claimant.
  4. The court can decide whether the interim payment is paid.

When Can A Lawyer Request An Interim Payment?

A claimant may request an interim payment from the defendant during the personal injury claims process if liability has been admitted or the defendant has agreed to pay compensation. The court can order the defendant to pay an interim payment to the claimant if there is a dispute.

The court may order a personal injury claim interim payment to be paid under the following circumstances; firstly, the defendant must admit liability for a claimant’s injuries or the outcome of the personal injury claim is likely to be successful.

The claimant must have an urgent need for an interim payment. Such as a scenario where the claimant now has to use a wheelchair because of their injuries. Therefore the individual needs mobility equipment and to make adaptations to their home. These costs can run into the thousands, but the claimant would not live independently at home without the funds. Therefore interim payments can be requested.

Conditions Set On Interim Payments

For a claimant to receive an interim payment, their claim must meet certain conditions. There must be sufficient evidence that the claimant needs a personal injury claim interim payment. Rule CPR 25.7(1), sets out the conditions to be satisfied and all matters considered before the court will issue the request for the interim payment.

Requests for interim payments can be complex. So please feel free to call our claims helpline to discuss your situation with an advisor. We will be happy to offer you legal advice, and you won’t have to proceed with your injury claim unless you want to.

Will Claiming Compensation Affect My Benefits?

If you are in receipt of means state test benefits then generally you can have savings of up to £6000 before your benefits are affected. So when receiving compensation once combined with your savings if it amounts to more than £6000 your benefits will be affected. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be notified when compensation is awarded.

How Much Is My Injury Worth?

Different types of personal injuries will receive differing amounts of compensation. You can use this accident claims calculator table as a general guide to how much compensation you may receive for your injury. When a personal injury claim is successful two types of damages are awarded; general and special damages. General damages compensate you for your injury. And examples can be found in our table. We haven’t included compensation amounts for special damages, as these can vary greatly from case to case.

The compensation amounts included in this table are based on the Judicial College’s guidelines.

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Type Of Injury Severity Settlement Bracket Additional Comments
Scars (facial) Significant (c) £9,110 to £30,090 Scarring of the face where the worst effects can be reduced by plastic surgery but leaving some cosmetic disability.
Cheekbone Fracture (i) £10,200 to £15,780 Serious fractures that leave some element of disfigurement and result in lasting problems like paraesthesia in the lips or cheeks.
Neck Moderate (iii) £7,890 to £13,740 This category includes moderate soft tissue injuries where there has been a protracted recovery period.
Back Minor (i) £7,890 to £12,510 Soft tissue injuries of the back where full recovery is achieved in around 2-5 years without surgery.
Arms Amputation (b(i)) Not less than £137,160 At the shoulder arm amputation of one arm.
Legs Less Serious (i) £17,960 to £27,760 Fractures where reasonable recovery levels will have happened but where the victim is left with a limp, impaired mobility or similar issues.
Ankle Moderate (c) £13,740 to £26,590 Fractures that result in disabilities like difficulty standing for long periods or irritation from metal plates.

Of course, if you have received an interim payment, this will be deducted from your final compensation claim payout. How much compensation you receive for a serious injury or life-changing injury can vary from person to person. So please feel free to call our claims helpline. And a claims advisor can estimate how much compensation you could receive.

What Are Special Damages In Injury Claims?

Special damages are compensation to cover costs that a claimant has, relating to their injury. If you have received a personal injury claim interim payment, you can still receive special damages to pay for any ongoing expenses you have. Furthermore, your special damages maybe into the thousands if you have been seriously injured and require special treatment or care.

You can claim special damages to cover the following expenses relating to your injury:

  • Travel costs
  • Medical expenses
  • Care costs
  • Mobility equipment expenses
  • Home adaptation costs
  • Payments to cover a loss in income
  • Vehicle repair or replacement costs

How Much Is An Interim Payment For A Settlement?

An interim payment must be a “reasonable proportion” of the overall compensation payment. What’s more, there are no restrictions on how many times you can request an interim payment. However, your solicitor must follow the “reasonable proportion” rule. Your solicitor will be able to value your interim payment based on your needs.

How Will An Interim Payment Affect My Final Payout?

Your injury claim interim payment will affect your final compensation payout. Your final compensation settlement will have the cost of your interim payment deducted from it. For example, a claimant might receive a final settlement of £12,000 compensation. But if the claimant had previously received a £3,000 interim payment, they will only receive £9,000 in their final compensation package.

Secure Your Interim Payment With A No Win No Fee Solicitor

You may be wondering how a solicitor could benefit you when seeking interim payments as part of the personal injury claims process. 

A solicitor can offer several services, including helping you gather evidence to support your claim. Our solicitors could offer you a type of No Win No Fee agreement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement.

This generally means that you won’t pay for your solicitor’s services upfront, while your claim is ongoing or if your claim fails. Instead, a small percentage of your payout will be deducted in the form of a success fee if your claim succeeds. This fee is capped under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013. 

To learn more about what an interim payment is and discuss an example of an interim payment, please get in touch with our team of advisors.

Why You Should Use Accident Claims Solicitors To Pursue Your Claim

Our solicitors have experience handling a variety of claims such as personal injury, medical negligence and criminal injury claims. Our injury solicitors all offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis, and could help you claim the compensation you deserve. They can take on all of the legal legwork of putting a claim together. Then, they could handle all the negotiations for a compensation settlement that reflects the damage you’ve suffered. 

Our knowledgeable helpline advisors could assess your eligibility to claim absolutely free of charge. We can answer questions over the phone relating to your claim, and could provide you with free legal advice. 

We offer this advice with no obligation to use our services. To learn more, get in touch using the number above.

Contact Us To Secure A Personal Injury Claim Interim Payment

Have you been injured because of an accident that was not your fault? Accident Claims UK’s panel of solicitors could offer to handle your compensation claim. And your solicitors can request an interim payment on your behalf.

To begin your claim:

Read More About Compensation Claims

We hope this guide has helped you to understand how to request a personal injury claims interim payment. These guides could also help.

About Accident Claims – Accident Claims

A Guide To Car Accident Claims – How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Car Accident?

How To Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Public Place?

Claiming Compensation For A Personal Injury – A Guide From Citizen’s Advice

How Do I Know If I’ve Broken A Bone? – An NHS Guide

Get more info on careless driving vs dangerous driving and how to claim compensation following a road traffic accident with our guide.

FAQs About Personal Injury Claim Interim Payment

What can my interim payment pay for?

You can use an interim payment to pay for needs associated with your injuries. For example, you can use your interim payment to pay for medical bills. You can use your interim payment before your injury claim is settled.

What percentage is an interim payment?

An interim payment is a “reasonable proportion” of the final compensation settlement. A solicitor can request more than one interim payment.

Could you get interim payments when claiming for someone else?

Sometimes a claimant is unable to claim compensation for themselves. For example, they may be under the age of 18. In this case, a next of kin relative can act as the litigation friend can claim compensation for the person. The solicitor can still request an interim payment.

Can I ask for an interim payment?

In some cases, you can ask for an interim payment, such as when you have suffered serious harm and are facing financial hardship because of your injuries. If you hire a solicitor, they can apply for the interim payment on your behalf.

Your case would need to have a very good chance of succeeding or the liable party would need to have admitted liability.

For example, if you asked for an interim payment in a car accident claim because you lost a leg and were in severe financial distress, and the other party had admitted liability. If you would like to know if there would be likelihood of an interim payment being granted, please call our team. 

How long does it take to get an interim payment? 

A question we are often asked by worried claimants is ‘how long does it take to get an interim payment?’ There is no specific timescale for this, but if your claim is a strong one, a response from the other party could be pushed for by your solicitor.

Thank you for reading our guide to making a personal injury claim interim payment request. Whether you’re asking for an interim payment in a car accident claim, or for an accident at work or in a public place, we could assist you.