- Obligation-Free Consultation
- No Win, No Fee
- Award-Winning Lawyers
As Featured In:
Check Out Our Awesome Reviews Below:
A catastrophic injury can change life in an instant. One moment, you are focused on work, family, and everyday life. Next, you may be dealing with hospital treatment, time away from work, financial concerns, and difficult decisions about what happens next.
At HD Claims (a trading style of SI Law Ltd), we connect you with a strictly vetted panel of specialist Scottish personal injury solicitors. Once connected, your matched solicitor will manage the legal strategy of your claim from start to finish, ensuring your case is handled by someone who understands the medical and financial pressures of a life-changing injury.
We manage the legal strategy of serious injury claims in Scotland from start to finish and connect people with suitable serious injury solicitors in Scotland based on the nature and complexity of their case. That means your case can be placed with a solicitor who understands the medical, practical and financial pressures that often follow a life-changing injury.
What is a serious injury?
A serious injury is one that changes your life in a big and lasting way. You may hear it called a catastrophic injury, but in simple terms, it means the harm is so severe that life does not go back to how it was before.
It’s not just the severity of the injury on the day of the accident. It is about what the injury now means for your health, your work, your independence and your family life.
For many people, that can mean not being able to return to work, needing help with everyday tasks, or facing a long period of treatment and recovery. Some people need support for years. Others may need it for the rest of their lives.
Examples of serious injuries include:
- Life-changing brain damage, where a head injury affects memory, speech, mood, focus, or behaviour
- spinal cord injuries, which can affect movement, feeling, balance, and, in some cases, lead to paralysis
- Loss of limbs, whether through amputation or injuries that leave an arm, hand, leg, or foot with little or no use
- Severe burns, which can cause lasting pain, scarring, tight skin, and the need for more surgery
A serious injury can also include crush injuries, major fractures, serious eye injuries, or other trauma that leaves the injured person with lasting physical or emotional problems.
How we handle your serious injury claim
We keep the claim process clear and structured from the start. First, we listen to what happened, review the early evidence, and connect you with suitable personal injury solicitors in Scotland for the type of case you have, whether it involves a road traffic accident, a work accident, or negligent treatment.
From there, the case is built around what the injury means for your life now and in the future. That usually means working with medical experts, rehabilitation and care professionals, and, where needed, financial advisers, so the full picture is understood properly rather than rushed. Medical records, expert reports, witness evidence and evidence of your financial losses are then collected to show the effect of the injury on your health, your ability to work, the care you need and your daily life.
If the other side accepts fault, the focus is often on securing treatment, valuing the claim properly, and negotiating a settlement. If the fault is denied, or the case is more complex or higher in value, the solicitor may need to raise court action in the Scottish court best suited to the claim. In Scotland, higher-value personal injury claims can be raised in the Court of Session, which deals with personal injury cases over £100,000, while personal injury actions can also proceed through the National Personal Injury Court.
Our role at HD Claims is to manage that journey with you and make sure the case keeps moving. You are not left to work out the practical next step on your own, and the legal route is shaped around the injury, the evidence, and the support you need.
Speak to our compensation experts
It doesn't cost you anything to know where you stand.
Fill out the form, and we'll get back to you within one hour.
Need to speak to us sooner?
Call us on 0141 280 1112
- Over £3+ Million in Settlements
- No Win, No Fee
- Supporting Scots Since 2010
- 10 Offices Around Scotland
Request a FREE call
Could I receive financial support before my serious injury claim has settled?
Yes, in some cases you can. If a fault has been admitted or there is a strong basis for payment, the solicitor may be able to seek an interim payment from the insurer before the final value of the claim is agreed.
That early money can make a real difference. It can be used for urgent medical treatment, private rehabilitation, care support, mobility equipment such as a wheelchair, travel to appointments, or changes to your home if you are no longer able to move around safely or manage day-to-day life as you did before.
It can also help alleviate immediate financial losses while the main case is still underway. For example, if someone is unable to work after a serious accident, an early payment may help with basic living costs while longer-term medical evidence and future losses are being assessed.
An interim payment is not the last payment. It is an early part-payment to meet urgent needs now, while the wider claim continues in the background.
What is considered part of a serious injury compensation claim?
In Scotland, a serious injury case usually has two main parts. The first is solatium, which covers pain, suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of normal life. The second is patrimonial loss, which covers the money the injured person has lost already, and the costs they are likely to face in the future.
This matters because a claim for compensation is not based only on the injury itself. It also reflects what the injury has changed in real terms, such as work, income, care needs, housing, transport, and independence.
As part of serious injury compensation, a claim may include:
- Past and future loss of earnings if you cannot return to your job, reduce your hours, or have to move into lower-paid work
- Loss of pension contributions and other employment benefits
- The cost of treatment, therapy, and long-term rehabilitation
- The cost of professional care, whether that is needed now or later on
- Payment for care provided by family members, even if that help has been unpaid
- Specialist equipment, including bespoke prosthetics, mobility aids, and other items that make daily life easier
- Home changes such as ramps, wet rooms, lifts, widened doorways, or adapted layouts
- Vehicle adaptations, or in some cases, the cost of changing to a more suitable vehicle
- The cost of moving home if your current property can no longer meet your needs
The level of compensation depends on the facts of the case. Two people may have the same type of injury but very different claims, because their work, recovery, care needs, housing, and future financial losses are not the same. That is why these cases need careful evidence and a long-term view.
Making A Personal Injury Claim In Scotland
Our panel of experienced personal injury lawyers excel in handling cases against well-funded insurance companies.
Our specialised injury lawyers will assist you with your claim, keep you informed throughout the whole process, and provide you with legal advice that is easy to understand.
01
Get In Touch.
Tell us your story, we're here to listen and provide you with an initial assessment based on your circumstances.
02
We’ll Prepare Your Claim.
We'll be by your side to take care of the legal process. We'll keep you informed of every step of the way.
03
Receive Compensation.
If your claim is successful, we'll ensure that you get your compensation as soon as possible.
"A Student’s Journey from Trauma to Triumph: Efthymios’s Fight for Justice After a Devastating Car Accident"
When Efthymios was injured in a car accident, he was left with severe facial injuries. He didn’t know how he would manage his recovery and studies.
“When I got in contact with HD Legal, they made me feel supported. They were incredibly understanding and fought hard for me, ensuring I received the compensation I deserved.”
"Cracked Pavement, Broken Ankle: How HD Legal Helped Margaret Find Justice and Peace of Mind"
When Margaret tripped on a neglected crack in the pavement in Glasgow, she shattered her ankle and was forced to take months off work, unsure how she would manage.
“HD Legal were a lifeline for me. They took care of everything—from gathering crucial evidence to battling the council—and gave me the peace of mind I needed to focus on my recovery.”
"Blown Away: HD Legal Fights for Douglas After Faulty Washing Machine Explosion"
When Douglas’s new washing machine exploded, it caused a fire that damaged his kitchen and left him with painful burns.
“HD Legal fought relentlessly for me when it seemed like no one else would. They were thorough, professional, and supported me every step of the way, helping me recover both physically and financially.”
"From Misdiagnosis to Recovery: How HD Legal Fought for Eilidh’s Justice and Secured the Care She Needed"
When Eilidh’s severe abdominal pain was repeatedly misdiagnosed, her condition worsened, leading to the need for urgent surgery.
“HD Legal stood by me when I felt lost. They were thorough, professional, and fought tirelessly to get me the care and compensation I needed to heal.”
"Falling from Heights, Rising with Justice: How HD Legal Secured Compensation for Alistair After a Workplace Accident Involving Faulty Scaffolding"
Alistair Campbell’s fall from faulty scaffolding left him with serious injuries and months of recovery.
“HD Legal’s panel of solicitors fought for me, ensuring I received the support needed to move forward.”
A loved one has been seriously injured - can I start a claim on their behalf?
Yes. If a loved one has been seriously injured and is unable to deal with a claim themselves, it may still be possible to have a case started on their behalf. In Scotland, the exact route depends on the person’s age and whether they have the capacity to make legal decisions.
For a child under 16, a parent or guardian will usually act for them if they are too young to deal with the case on their own. In Scotland, a young person under 16 can sometimes act in their own right if they have enough understanding, but where they do not, an adult can apply on their behalf.
If an adult has lost capacity after a severe injury, such as a serious brain injury, a family member cannot always just step in informally. In many cases, there needs to be a proper legal arrangement in place, such as a guardian or intervener appointed by the sheriff court under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act.
In Scotland, the key question is who has the legal authority to instruct the solicitor and make decisions about the claim. If that is not already in place, the solicitor can advise on what needs to happen before the case can move forward.
If your loved one has died because of their injuries, the position is different and needs to be handled with real care. Certain relatives may have the right to bring a fatal claim in Scotland under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, and that can include claims linked to the death itself as well as the financial losses that follow for the family.
For Families who have lost loved ones, the first step is often simply finding out who can act and what can be claimed. At HD Claims, we can help you understand that position and connect you with the right solicitor in Scotland to take things forward with sensitivity and care.
What is the time limit for making a serious injury claim?
In Scotland, the usual time limit for starting serious injury compensation claims is three years. In most cases, that starts from the date of the injury, or from the date you first knew, or could reasonably have known, that the injury was linked to someone else’s fault.
That three-year rule matters because it is about when court action must be started, not just when you first speak to someone about the case. Even strong accident claims can be lost if too much time passes, so it is always best to get advice early while records, witnesses, and other evidence are easier to find.
There are important exceptions in Scotland:
- If the injured person was under 16 when the injury happened, the three-year period does not start until their 16th birthday, so they usually have until age 19 to raise a claim.
- If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the usual three-year limit does not apply while that incapacity continues.
Some cases can have different time limits, especially if they involve criminal injuries or accidents abroad. That is one reason why getting early advice is so important.
At HD Claims, we help people understand where they stand before time becomes a problem. If you are unsure how the time limit applies in your case, we can help you get clear advice from the right solicitor in Scotland.
DEDICATED CLAIMS ADVISORS
Our dedicated claims advisors are always available to offer free legal advice.
100% NO WIN NO FEE CLAIMS
All our claims are processed on a No Win No Fee basis; you pay nothing if you lose.
MILLIONS SECURED IN DAMAGES
To date, we have secured millions in damages.
THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED CLIENTS
To date, we have helped thousands of clients recover compensation and continue to do so.
Why Choose HD Claims?
With HD Claims, you are not pushed into a one-size-fits-all service. Serious injury cases need the right legal strategy, the right experts, and the right solicitor for the type of injury and the scale of what lies ahead.
A case involving brain injury, spinal injury, amputation, or long-term care needs must be handled with a deep understanding of serious injury law, future needs, and the evidence required to prove them properly.
We focus on helping people with complex and life-changing claims by connecting them with the right injury lawyers in Scotland for their case.
We work to make sure cases are built with input from the right independent professionals, which may include:
- Medical experts who can explain the full effect of the injury
- Rehabilitation and care specialists who can assess what support is needed
- Financial and employment experts where future losses need careful evidence
- Scottish solicitors with the experience to handle high-value and complex claims properly
We also understand that many people worry about the cost of taking action. Where suitable, we can help put you in touch with solicitors who may be able to offer No Win No Fee funding, so the case can move forward without adding more pressure at an already difficult time.
FAQs for serious and fatal injury claims
How is compensation paid in a serious injury claim in Scotland?
In most serious injury cases, compensation is paid by the insurer of the person, company, or organisation that was responsible. So in practice, it is usually an insurance payment rather than money coming directly from an individual.
Most claims end with a lump-sum payment once the case settles. In some cases, especially where someone will need care for many years, the court can also allow regular payments over time instead of relying on one single payment to cover everything.
Can serious injury claims be made on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes, many can. A No Win No Fee agreement usually means there are no upfront legal fees to pay while the case is being pursued, which can make it much easier for people to take action at a very difficult time.
In Scotland, success fees in these cases are regulated and capped by law under the Success Fee Agreements Regulations 2020.
How much compensation could a serious injury claim be worth?
There is no standard figure. The value depends on the injury itself, but also on what it has changed in real life, such as work, income, care needs, treatment costs and the help someone may need in future.
Can I make a serious injury claim for a deceased family member?
Yes, in many cases you can. In Scotland, a claim after a death may be brought by the executor of the deceased person’s estate, and certain relatives may also have their own right to claim if the death was caused by someone else’s negligence.
That can apply after a fatal road collision, a workplace death, or a death linked to negligent medical treatment. Exactly who can claim depends on the relationship to the person who died and the type of loss being claimed, so it is important to get advice on the right legal route early on.
What is a bereavement award in Scotland, and who can claim it?
People often use the phrase “bereavement award”, but in Scotland, the claim is usually known as a loss of society claim. It is meant to recognise the grief, sorrow, and loss of a loved one’s companionship, care, and guidance after a wrongful death.
In Scotland, the group of relatives who may be able to claim is wider than in England and Wales. Depending on the facts, it can include a spouse, civil partner, cohabiting partner, children, parents, siblings, and, in some cases, others who were treated as part of the deceased’s family.
It is also not a fixed statutory sum in the way many people expect. The amount depends on the relationship, the circumstances of the death, and the effect the loss has had on the family member making the claim.
Do serious injury claims usually go to court?
Not usually. Most serious injury claims are settled without you having to go to court.
In many cases, the claim is resolved through negotiations between the two sides once the evidence is in place. The court is often a last resort, not the starting point.
Sometimes, though, court action is needed. This may happen where the other party refuses to accept liability, disputes the value of your claim or simply drags things out long enough that formal legal proceedings are required.
Even then, going to court does not always mean there will be a full hearing. Many claims still settle before that stage.
Can I still claim if the responsible employer is no longer in business?
Yes, you still may be able to claim. In many cases, the claim can be made against the employer’s liability insurer rather than the business itself, which is why a company closing down does not always end the case. Employers in the UK are generally required to have employers’ liability insurance, and the law also allows claims to be brought directly against an insurer where the insured employer is insolvent.
This is especially relevant in accident at work claims in Scotland, including cases where the business stopped trading years ago. If the insurer is not obvious, it may still be possible to trace it through the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office.
Can a solicitor help with a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI)?
Yes. In Scotland, the nearest relative can choose to have a solicitor represent them at a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
That can be a real help. A solicitor can explain how the inquiry works, prepare you for hearings, look at the evidence, and represent your interests during the process. Legal aid may also be available in some cases.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry is not the same as a compensation claim, but it can still be very important for families who want answers about how a death happened and whether anything could have been done to prevent it.
We’re Here To Help When You Need Us Most.
Call us on 0141 2801112, or leave us a message below to request a call back and one of our team will be in touch as soon as we can.
