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Other Accidents / Compensation Claims Against The Police

Compensation Claims Against The Police

If you have suffered a personal injury in an accident involving the police that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online.

Circumstances for personal injury claims

The police have a special role in society to enforce the law and protect us, but they are not above the law. In certain instances they can overstep their boundaries and legal powers, causing personal injury to a member of the public.

Instances when this might happen include:

  • A situation where you have been deliberately assaulted by a police officer
  • Inappropriate use of force by a police officer
  • You were involved in a road traffic accident with a police officer in which you suffered personal injury

Make a claim


  • A very friendly, helpful service. I was kept up-to-date on every aspect of my claim.

    Jemma from Greater Manchester

What should I do?

If you have suffered personal injury as a result of an incident with a police officer it’s vital that you contact personal injury solicitors with experience in this area of the law.

Making a claim against the police can be an extremely daunting prospect, so if you feel you are eligible for compensation contact an experienced team of solicitors immediately. They will take into account all the elements of the incident and advise you whether you have a valid claim and the best course of action.

In many cases, they may be able to act for you on a no win, no fee basis.

Potential outcomes

If your personal injury compensation claim is successful the following damages could potentially be awarded:

  • Basic damages for pain and suffering – this will be an amount of money designed to compensate you for the personal injury suffered
  • Financial losses – this will take into account past and future financial losses suffered as a result of the injury
  • Aggravated damages – damages for injured feelings; will not be less than £1,000
  • Exemplary damages – designed to punish the conduct of a police officer which is deemed to be arbitrary, oppressive or unconstitutional; will not be less than £5,500

The amount of damages awarded will depend upon the particular circumstances of your case.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

If you are unable to pursue a personal injury claim, a claim may be able to be brought to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority where injuries have been suffered as a result of a crime of violence, for example where you have been deliberately assaulted

These types of claim must be made within 2 years of the incident. The amount of compensation awarded by the authority will be determined according to a Tariff Scheme and is assessed according to the injuries sustained.

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online.

How Much Compensation?

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. Compensation is understood by looking at two specific factors: general damages and special damages.

General Damages

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused are main factors that are used to determine how much general damage compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that highlights the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity. Our compensation calculator will give you an indication of how much general damage compensation you might be entitled to based upon your injuries.

Special Damages

In addition to receiving compensation for your injuries, you may be able to reclaim any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries. Compensation for financial losses is known as special damages compensation. This can include losses such as loss of earnings due to not being able to return to work, the cost of treatment as well as travel to treatment. It is important that you keep any receipts or evidence of additional losses in order for these to be reclaimed.

With the exception of children, there is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim. This time limit begins from the date that the accident initially occurred. Therefore, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible to assess your case.