What is a no win, no fee agreement?

A no win no, fee agreement, which is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, gives you the chance to make a personal injury or medical negligence claim without the worry of paying legal fees upfront. If your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t pay us for the time spent on your case. It’s a straightforward way to access the support you need at what is often a very difficult timeno win no fee solicitors

At Nelsons, our team of no win, no fee solicitors in Derby has over 40 years of legal expertise and a proven track record of successful claims. We’re here to guide you through the process of filing your claim, helping you understand what to expect at every stage.

In most legal cases, if you lose, you may be expected to cover both your own legal costs and some of the other side’s. But with a no win, no fee arrangement, you’ll only pay if your case is successful. If you do win, our fee, known as a success fee, is taken as a percentage of the compensation you receive. This helps cover the risk we take in running the case without being paid in advance.

There may still be some costs involved, such as court fees or medical expert reports – these are known as disbursements. To protect you from having to pay these if your case doesn’t succeed, we can help you arrange insurance from the outset. This way, you can feel confident moving forward with your claim, knowing you’re fully covered.

Do I need insurance for my no win, no fee claim?

In short, yes – legal expenses insurance is an important part of any no win, no fee claim, and we’ll talk you through everything you need to know. This type of insurance protects you from certain costs that could arise if your case doesn’t succeed, including the other side’s legal fees and any expenses involved in building your case, such as expert medical reports or court costs.

There are two types of cover to be aware of. Before The Event (BTE) insurance is sometimes already included in existing policies, like home or car insurance. One of the first things we’ll do at Nelsons is check whether you already have this in place. If not, we’ll help you arrange After The Event (ATE) insurance – a policy that’s specifically designed to protect people who are bringing a legal claim.

As experienced Derby no win no, fee solicitors, we’ll make sure that any insurance you take out is suitable for your case so that you’re not exposed to unexpected financial risks while pursuing any reparations for your circumstances.

Are there any upfront costs in a no win no fee arrangement?

In most no win, no fee claims, there’s nothing to pay upfront. At Nelsons, we handle the initial costs of bringing your case, including court fees, expert medical assessments, and other essential expenses – so that you can focus on your recovery and getting the support you need.

If your claim is successful, the majority of your legal costs will be covered by the Defendant, however, the After the Event insurance premium and the success fee are usually taken from your compensation. We’ll explain how this works clearly at the start so you know exactly where you stand. As trusted no win, no fee solicitors in Derby, we believe in complete transparency and keeping the process as straightforward as possible for our clients.

What deductions will be due from my compensation if my claim is successful?

If your claim is successful, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. How much this will be depends on various factors in the case and we will carefully assess what success fee to apply in each case. We will ensure to set this out to you in detail before you agree to the success fee. However, the success fee cannot be more than 25% of any compensation you receive for general damages and past losses.

In addition, the insurance premium for the After-the-Event insurance will also be deducted from any compensation in the event the claim succeeds. The amount of the insurance premium will be based on the amount of compensation received and the stage at which the claim concludes and therefore varies case by case depending on outcome. We will provide you with all the details regarding the potential premiums for the insurance at the outset.

What happens if I lose my personal injury or medical negligence case in a no win, no fee agreement?

If your case is unsuccessful, you won’t be asked to pay your solicitor’s fees – that’s the core promise of a no win, no fee agreement. However, some expenses may still arise during the course of your claim, such as court filing fees or costs for expert witnesses. These are known as disbursements.

Your insurance will help make sure you’re not left with these costs. Additionally, our personal injury and medical negligence team will always talk you through what’s covered and what isn’t and ensure that you fully understand the agreement before moving forward so nothing comes as a surprise to you later down the line.

Are there any types of cases that are not suitable for no win, no fee arrangements?

No win no fee arrangements are common in personal injury and medical negligence claims, but they’re not always suitable for every case. Some claims may be more complex or carry a higher level of risk, which means they may not qualify for this type of funding.

At Nelsons, we’ll assess your case carefully and explain your options clearly. If a no win, no fee agreement is right for you, we’ll set everything out in writing for complete transparency. If it’s not the best route for your situation, we’ll discuss and try to help you find alternative ways to fund your claim. Our goal is always the same – to help you find the best possible path to justice, with the least amount of stress.

Can I switch to a different solicitor if I am not satisfied with my current no win, no fee solicitor?

Yes you can – if you’re unhappy with the service you’re receiving, it may be possible to change solicitors, even if you’ve already entered into a no win, no fee agreement. However, there may be terms in your current agreement that you need to check before making the switch.

If you’re unsure where you stand, Nelsons can help. With over 40 years of experience, we’re proud to be one of the most trusted Derby no win no fee solicitors, and we’re happy to review your case and advise on your options. Changing your solicitor mid-case is a big decision, but if it’s the right move for you, we’ll do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

No win, no fee claims we can assist with in Derby

At Nelsons, we handle a wide range of personal injury and medical negligence cases. If you’re unsure whether your own experience could form the basis of a no win, no fee claim, the examples below give an idea of the types of cases our no win no fee solicitors in Derby regularly deal with. Every situation is different, and you don’t need to know the legal details to reach out – that’s what we’re here for.

Personal Injury Claims

  • Accidents at work or in public places – Injuries from unsafe workplaces or poorly maintained public spaces. We handle slips, trips, machinery accidents, and more.
  • Road traffic accidents – Claims for injuries from car, bike, motorbike, or pedestrian accidents – from whiplash to life-changing trauma.
  • Product liability – Compensation for injuries caused by faulty products, medical devices, or unsafe pharmaceuticals.
  • Animal attacks – Dog bites, horse-riding accidents, and other animal-related injuries, including claims against owners and insurers.
  • Asbestos exposure – Claims for mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other conditions linked to past asbestos exposure.
  • Burns and scalds – Injuries from hot surfaces, chemicals, or faulty systems at work or in public.
  • Child abuse – Supporting survivors of childhood abuse in seeking justice and compensation from responsible parties.
  • Food poisoning – Claims for serious illness caused by contaminated food in restaurants, hotels, or shops.
  • Holiday and travel claims – Illness or injury abroad caused by unsafe accommodation or poor hygiene.
  • Sports injuries – Injuries from poorly managed sports events, unsafe facilities, or faulty equipment.

Medical Negligence Claims

  • Pregnancy and birth injuries – Claims for conditions like cerebral palsy caused by negligence during pregnancy or delivery.
  • Hospital negligence – Errors during surgery, diagnosis, or treatment in NHS or private hospitals.
  • GP negligence – Compensation for misdiagnosis, delayed referrals, or incorrect prescriptions by GPs.
  • Mistaken diagnosis – Claims where a condition was wrongly identified, leading to harm or unnecessary treatment.
  • Delayed diagnosis – Late diagnosis that impacts outcomes of serious conditions like cancer or heart disease.
  • Brain injuries – Serious injuries caused by medical errors during surgery, stroke care, or mismanaged trauma.
  • Spinal injuries (incl. cauda equina syndrome) – Claims for paralysis or permanent damage due to delayed spinal treatment.
  • Eye injuries and vision loss – Compensation for vision damage caused by mismanaged treatment or surgical error.
  • Surgical claims – Mistakes during surgery, such as wrong-site operations, retained instruments, or nerve damage.
  • Fatal medical negligence – Supporting families after preventable deaths due to treatment failures or delays.
  • Drug and medication errors – Injuries from wrong prescriptions, dosage errors, or failure to monitor side effects.
  • Dental negligence – Claims for unnecessary treatment, nerve damage, or failed procedures from dentists.
  • Cancer misdiagnosis/delay – Claims where cancer was missed or identified too late for proper treatment.
  • Cosmetic surgery negligence – Compensation for complications or poor results from cosmetic procedures.

At Nelsons, our solicitors have over 40 years of experience handling complex personal injury and medical negligence claims. If you’re searching for trusted no win, no fee solicitors in Derby, we’re here to help. If your circumstances don’t appear on the lists above, it’s still worth reaching out to us on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form, as no two cases are the same. We’ll always take the time to listen and advise whether this is the best legal path for you.

Why choose our no win no fee solicitors in Derby?

As experienced no win no fee solicitors in Derby, we offer recognised expertise, backed by independently researched publications, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as well as a commendation in The Times Best Law Firms 2025. Our team is also proud to be members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, a specialist qualification held only by experienced personal injury solicitors

We put transparency at the forefront of our service, and we will always clearly explain our no-win, no-fee agreement and fee structure from the outset so you’re never left wondering where you stand. With a skilled legal team and a proven track record of success in no win, no fee claims, we put your interests first, working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your case, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated Derby no win no fee solicitors team by phone on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.

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