Choosing the Right Lawyer for a Serious Injury or Military Claim

People often come to a solicitor at a moment of disruption — after a serious injury, the loss of a loved one, or when their military career has been derailed. It is rarely a decision made lightly, and it is often made under pressure.

Over the years, acting for service personnel, veterans and civilians, I’ve seen first-hand how much the choice of lawyer can influence not just the outcome of a case, but the experience of going through it.

These are the five questions I encourage anyone to ask before instructing a solicitor.

1. Do they genuinely specialise in this type of work?

“Personal injury” is a broad umbrella. Serious injury, military claims, inquests and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme cases are specialist areas, each with their own rules, evidence issues and defendants.

I always suggest asking:

• How much of the solicitor’s work is actually in this area?
• Who do they deal with day-to-day — insurers, the MOD, the Government Legal Department or coroners?
• Can they explain the process clearly and calmly?

In my experience, depth of experience matters far more than firm size, branding and snazzy social media adverts. 

2. Who will actually be dealing with your case?

Many clients are surprised to discover that once the paperwork is signed, they rarely speak to a qualified solicitor again.  Before instructing, it is worth understanding:

• Who has day-to-day responsibility for your case
• Whether you can speak directly to that person
• How and when you will be updated

Feeling properly represented from the outset is important.

3. Do they understand the human context as well as the legal one?

Most serious injury and military claims are about much more than compensation. They often involve the impact on work, identity, mental health and family life. This is particularly true for serving personnel and veterans, where service, culture and pride are often bound up in the case itself. 

A good lawyer understands the wider context, not just the legal arguments.

4. Are they open and realistic about outcomes?

Be wary of anyone who guarantees results or avoids difficult conversations early on.  A solicitor should be able to explain:

• The strengths and weaknesses of the case
• Likely timescales
• The risks and alternative routes available, such as the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Clear, honest advice at the start helps avoid frustration later.

5. Who are you actually instructing — and what reassurances are there?

In military claims in particular, many people first come into contact with a Claims Management Company (CMC) who advertise on social media. That in itself is not necessarily a problem, and some people find them helpful at an early stage.

What matters is clarity.

A Claims Management Company is not a law firm. They do not conduct litigation, and they are not responsible for the legal strategy or conduct of your case. Their role is usually limited to marketing, initial sign-up and referral of your data to a law firm.

Before proceeding, it is sensible to ask:

• Which law firm will actually be handling your claim? Folks, look at their website 
• Why has that firm been chosen?
• What experience do they have in military or serious injury work?  
• Who makes the legal decisions once the case is underway?

It is also worth looking at independent reassurance:

• What do former clients say about them?
• Are they independently accredited, for example through the recognised peer assessed Law Society Personal Injury Panel?

Accreditation and consistent testimonials are not guarantees of outcome, but they do indicate experience, external assessment and the highest professional standards.

A final thought

There are different routes into legal advice, and different models suit different people. What matters most is that you understand who is acting for you, what experience they bring, and whether you feel confident placing your case in their hands. Taking a little time to ask the right questions at the outset can make a real difference — both to the journey and the outcome.

You get one shot at this - choose wisely.

(c) Grant Evatt 13.12.25