Received a Personal Injury Claim Letter — What Happens Next

Opening an unexpected letter that mentions a personal injury claim against you can feel alarming — even if you have no idea what it relates to. Take a breath. This document is not a court order, and receiving it does not mean you have automatically done anything wrong. It is simply the first formal step in a process that has clear rules, reasonable timescales, and well-established ways to respond.

What does this actually mean?

In most cases, what you have received is a Letter of Claim — sometimes called a Letter of Notification. This is a formal document required under the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims, a set of rules governed by the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 that both sides must follow before any court proceedings can begin.

The letter will typically include:

• The name of the person making the claim (the claimant)
• A description of the incident they say caused their injury
• The nature of their injuries and any losses they are claiming for
• The name of their solicitor or claims management company, if they have one

Receiving this letter means the claimant believes you — or someone you are responsible for, such as an employee — caused them harm. It is an invitation to engage with the process, not a verdict.

Do you need to act immediately?

You do not need to panic, but you do need to be aware of the deadlines. Under the Pre-Action Protocol, you have 21 days to acknowledge receipt of the Letter of Claim. After that, you have a further period — usually up to three months — to investigate the claim and provide a full response stating whether you accept or deny liability.

Missing these deadlines can put you at a disadvantage if the matter proceeds to court. In England and Wales, personal injury claims are typically heard in the County Court (for smaller claims) or the High Court (for more serious or high-value cases). Claims under £10,000 usually go through the Small Claims Track, which has a simpler and less formal process.

One important point: the claimant themselves generally has up to three years from the date of the incident (under the Limitation Act 1980) to start formal court proceedings, so while there is no need to rush into decisions, your own response deadlines are much shorter and should be respected.

Your next steps

1. Do not ignore the letter. Even if you think the claim is unfair or exaggerated, ignoring it will not make it go away and could work against you later.
2. Check whether you have insurance that covers this. If the incident happened at work, in a vehicle, or on a property, you may have public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance, or motor insurance that covers personal injury claims made against you. Contact your insurer as soon as possible — many policies require you to notify them promptly.
3. Gather your evidence. Write down everything you remember about the incident while it is fresh. Collect any photographs, CCTV footage, witness details, accident reports, or relevant correspondence.
4. Send an acknowledgement. Write a brief letter or email to the claimant's solicitor confirming you have received the Letter of Claim. Keep a copy. Do not admit fault at this stage.
5. Seek legal advice. Even at this early stage, speaking to a solicitor can help you understand your position and avoid costly mistakes.

When should you speak to a solicitor?

Ideally, as soon as possible after receiving the letter — especially if:

• The claim involves a serious injury or a large sum of money
• You are not sure whether your insurance covers the situation
• The incident happened in a workplace or business setting
• You are being personally named rather than a company or organisation
• You dispute the account of events entirely

A solicitor who specialises in personal injury defence can review the letter, advise you on the strength of the claim, and handle communications on your behalf. Many offer a free initial consultation, so the first conversation need not cost you anything.

If you are not sure where to start, CaseBridger is a free tool that gives you instant AI-powered guidance on your specific situation and can help you find a qualified solicitor in your area — no jargon, no pressure, just clear next steps tailored to you.