Nine Leeds firms that act for injured people, from catastrophic injury teams to union backed workplace practices, with what each one handles and how to reach it.
Free, no obligation initial consultation, according to the firm. No win, no fee funding is available.
Office
4 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4BZ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Irwin Mitchell is a national firm with a large claimant injury practice, and its Leeds office on Wellington Place handles personal injury and medical negligence alongside business work. In Leeds, partner Carolyn Heaton leads a team acting for people with severe brain and spinal cord injuries, according to her profile. Partner Hema Rana focuses on traumatic brain injury and other catastrophic injuries, including spinal and orthopaedic injuries, according to her profile. The team takes on complex, high value cases where rehabilitation and long term care matter, the firm says. It suits people with serious injuries who want a big team behind them. Ask about no win, no fee funding.
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The Leeds office also has medical negligence and Court of Protection lawyers.
Carolyn Heaton, Partner, Serious Injury (leads the Leeds brain and spinal injury team)
Hema Rana, Partner, Serious Injury
Emma Melia, Associate Solicitor, Serious Injury
Peter Lorence, Associate Solicitor, Serious Injury
Sion Kingston, Personal Injury Solicitor
Areas of personal injury law handled
Brain injury claims
Spinal cord injury claims
Road traffic accident claims
Accident at work claims
Public place accident claims
Workplace illness claims
Medical negligence claims
Court of Protection support for injured clients
Office
4 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4BZ
Other details
Other offices
National firm with offices across England, head office in Sheffield
Free initial consultation, according to the firm. Most injury clients use a no win, no fee conditional fee agreement, with nothing to pay upfront.
Office
9 Bond Court, Leeds, LS1 2JZ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Stewarts describes itself as a litigation firm, and it says its injury department takes on serious, life changing cases. Leeds is one of its two offices. Ben Townsend is partner and Head of Personal Injury in Leeds, and Dan Herman, a partner whose clients mostly have spinal cord or brain injuries, heads the Leeds office. The firm said in 2023 that five of its 15 injury partners were in Leeds. The work covers brain and spinal injury, amputation, burns and fatal accidents, including cases with an overseas element. It suits people facing a lifetime of care needs.
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Dan Herman, Partner, Personal Injury, Head of the Leeds office
Free initial consultation, according to the firm. Many cases are taken on a no win, no fee basis, and some are covered by legal expenses insurance.
Office
8th Floor, 1 City Square, Leeds, LS1 2AL
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Leigh Day says it acts only for claimants, and it handles injury, medical negligence and group claims nationally. It opened its Leeds office on City Square in 2022. Partner Bethany Sanders heads the office and leads its personal injury team, with a focus on brain and spinal injury, amputation and fatal accidents. A separate Leeds medical negligence team is led by partner Suzanne White. The firm says the office serves Yorkshire, Humberside and the North East. It suits people with serious injuries or medical errors who want a firm that only acts for claimants.
Leeds office opened in 2022
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Bethany Sanders, Partner, Personal Injury, Head of the Leeds office
Fletchers is a large claimant firm focused on injury and medical negligence, and its Leeds office sits in Northspring on Wellington Street. The Leeds page names partner Emma Semwayo as Head of Clinical Negligence and Antonia Jones as brain injury team leader, alongside partners Parbeen Alamgir and Samantha Labor. The office handles brain, spinal and amputation claims, road and workplace accidents, and medical errors such as misdiagnosis and birth injury. The firm says it has Headway, Spinal Injuries Association and AvMA links. It suits people with serious injuries or clinical negligence claims.
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Emma Semwayo, Partner, Head of Clinical Negligence
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Samantha Labor, Partner, Solicitor
Antonia Jones, Associate, Brain Injury Team Leader
Free, no obligation legal advice, according to the firm. Claims can be made on a no win, no fee basis.
Office
2nd Floor, 10 South Parade, Leeds, LS1 5QS
Other numbers
Free advice line 0800 0 224 224
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Thompsons says it has stood up for injured people and workers since 1921 and will never work for employers or insurers. On its website, the Leeds office on South Parade lists a team of injury lawyers, with Helen Shakespeare, a member of the firm, as principal serious injury lawyer. The Leeds team also includes industrial disease and asbestos lawyers, which suits people with work related illness. Nicola Harrison is Regional Managing Partner for Yorkshire and Humberside. The firm offers free, no obligation legal advice and says claims can run on no win, no fee terms.
Founded in 1921
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Post for the Leeds office goes to a central PO Box in Nottingham.
Nicola Harrison, Regional Managing Partner, Yorkshire and Humberside
Helen Shakespeare, Member, Principal Serious Injury Lawyer
Andrew Smith, Associate, Personal Injury Lawyer
Janet Hall, Associate Solicitor
Donna Hughes, Serious Injury Lawyer
Marion Voss, Principal Specialist Asbestos Lawyer
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Joanne Smith, Senior Personal Injury Lawyer, Asbestos Specialist
No win, no fee terms are available, according to the firm. Contact the firm to ask about first appointment terms.
Office
Duke House, 54 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 2EE
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Ison Harrison grew from a Leeds practice founded in 1978 and is now an employee owned firm with branches across Yorkshire, according to the firm. Its injury department is run from the Leeds city centre office by Gareth Naylor, a director and Head of Personal Injury and Inquest Law, with five partners on the team. It covers road, cycling and motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents and trips and falls. The firm's site shows an APIL accredited practice logo. It suits Leeds people who want a local firm with a branch nearby. The firm says claims run on no win, no fee terms.
Founded in 1978
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Gareth Naylor, Director, Head of Personal Injury and Inquest Law
Simon Helliwell, Partner, Personal Injury
Tracey Stringer, Partner, Personal Injury
Graham Roberts, Partner, Personal Injury
Elizabeth West, Partner, Personal Injury
Diane Askwith, Partner, Personal Injury
Jordanna Gee, Associate, Personal Injury
Megan Spurr, Solicitor, Personal Injury
Thomas Whitwell, Solicitor, Personal Injury
Areas of personal injury law handled
Road traffic accident claims
Pedestrian accident claims
Motorcycle accident claims
Cycling accident claims
Accident at work claims
Slip, trip and fall claims
Inquest representation
Clinical negligence claims
Office
Duke House, 54 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 2EE
Other details
Other offices
Pudsey, Chapel Allerton, Morley, Crossgates and Garforth in Leeds, and offices across Yorkshire and the North
Free initial consultation, according to the firm. No win, no fee may be available for private clients. Union members' cases run under their union's arrangements.
Office
Oxford House, Oxford Row, Leeds, LS1 3BE
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Morrish describes itself as one of the top trade union law firms in the country, working with nearly 40 unions and professional associations and their members. It was founded in Leeds in 1882, the firm says. Laura Nabozny, partner and Head of Personal Injury and Litigation, leads a large team from the Leeds head office. The work covers accidents at work, road accidents, catastrophic injury and occupational disease such as asbestos, hearing loss and vibration injury. The firm's site shows APIL, AvMA and Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation logos. It suits union members, and private clients can use it too.
Founded in 1882
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Laura Nabozny, Partner, Head of Personal Injury and Litigation
John Morrison, Partner, Personal Injury Solicitor
Jason London, Personal Injury Consultant
Dominic Hughes, Personal Injury Solicitor
Carrie King, Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury and Dispute Resolution
Free initial consultation and free first advice on claim strength and time limits, according to the firm. It generally acts on a no win, no fee basis. Remote consultations are available.
Office
Floor 9, West Village, 114 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 1BA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Switalskis is a Yorkshire firm with several offices, including a Leeds office in West Village on Wellington Street, and serious injury and medical negligence are among its main departments. Mark Hollinghurst, who qualified in 1991 according to his profile, is Managing Director of Serious Injury and works on brain and spinal injury claims, including for assault victims through the criminal injuries scheme. His profile lists Leeds among his offices. The firm handles everyday accident claims too, from road and work accidents to trips in public places. It offers a free first consultation and generally works on no win, no fee terms.
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Lawyers
The firm also offers injury claims in Polish through its Kancelaria Prawna service.
Mark Hollinghurst, Managing Director, Serious Injury
John McQuater, Technical Director and Solicitor Advocate
Stephanie Veysey, Senior Associate Solicitor
Areas of personal injury law handled
Road traffic accident claims
Accident at work claims
Public place and premises accident claims
Brain injury claims
Spinal injury claims
Fatal accident claims
Criminal injuries compensation claims
Asbestos claims
Medical negligence claims
Office
Floor 9, West Village, 114 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 1BA
Other details
Other offices
Wakefield, Doncaster, Huddersfield, London and other Yorkshire offices
Languages
Polish (injury claims via its Kancelaria Prawna service)
Free, confidential and no obligation first claims assessment, according to the firm. Claims are usually handled on a no win, no fee conditional fee agreement, with after the event insurance available.
Office
39 St Paul's Street, Leeds, LS1 2JG
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Simpson Millar is a national consumer law firm whose head office is on St Paul's Street in Leeds. Its injury and medical negligence work covers road and work accidents, serious and fatal injuries, criminal injuries and errors in hospital or GP care. Ask which lawyer will run your claim and which office they work from. It suits people who want an established national brand with a Leeds base. The firm says the first claims assessment is free and claims usually run on no win, no fee terms.
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Lawyers
Ask the firm which lawyer will handle your claim and where they are based.
Matthew Trusch, Head of Fast Track, Personal Injury
Charlotte Rankin, Senior Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury
Elizabeth Royall, Solicitor, Personal Injury
Shazia Ahmed, Solicitor, Personal Injury
Areas of personal injury law handled
Road traffic accident claims
Accident at work claims
Construction accident claims
Public place accident claims
Brain and spinal injury claims
Fatal accident claims
Criminal injury claims
Military injury claims
Medical negligence claims
Birth injury claims
Office
39 St Paul's Street, Leeds, LS1 2JG
Other details
Other offices
Bristol, Cardiff, Lancaster, Liverpool, London and Manchester
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with an office in Leeds that do personal injury as a main part of their work. We read each firm's own website in October 2026, checked it says it is regulated by the SRA, and wrote the descriptions ourselves. Accreditations and first consultation terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you get in touch. Google ratings are shown with the date we checked them, where we have them.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own.
This page is general information, not legal advice. The law described is for England and Wales as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, the Civil Procedure Rules and the SRA in October 2026.
Deadlines for an injury claim
You normally have 3 years to start court proceedings, under the Limitation Act 1980. The period runs from the date of the injury, or from your date of knowledge if that's later. Date of knowledge means the day you first knew the injury was significant, that it was caused by an act or omission, and who was responsible. Not realising that what happened counts as negligence in law doesn't buy you more time. You're also treated as knowing what you could reasonably have found out, either yourself or by getting the expert advice someone in your position would be expected to get.
Who is claiming
When the 3 years runs out
An adult hurt in an accident, at work or by medical treatment
3 years after the injury, or after the date of knowledge if later
Someone injured as a child
3 years after their 18th birthday, so usually just before they turn 21
Someone who lacked capacity to run a claim when it arose
3 years after they regain capacity, or after their death if that's sooner
The estate of someone who died within the 3 years
3 years after the death, or after the personal representative's date of knowledge, whichever is later
A victim of violent crime claiming from CICA
A separate scheme, usually 2 years after the crime
A court does have power to let a late claim carry on if that would be equitable. The judge weighs the prejudice to each side, looking at the length of and reasons for the delay, what it has done to the evidence, the defendant's conduct, how quickly you acted once you knew you might have a claim, and the advice you took. You can't count on it. If you're near the deadline, speak to a firm now.
Car accidents, whiplash and the small claims limits
Official Injury Claim is a free online service that works on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. It lets people with a minor road injury claim without a lawyer, although you can still use one alongside it. To use it you need to be 18 or over and have been inside a vehicle, the accident must have happened in England or Wales on or after 31 May 2021, and the injury must be minor and worth under £5,000. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and protected parties can't use it, among others.
The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 fix the payment for pain, suffering and loss of amenity where a whiplash injury lasts up to 2 years. There's a slightly higher figure if you also had a minor psychological injury. The amounts went up for accidents on or after 31 May 2025.
How long the injury lasts
Whiplash only
With minor psychological injury
Up to 3 months
£275
£300
3 to 6 months
£565
£595
6 to 9 months
£965
£1,025
9 to 12 months
£1,510
£1,595
12 to 15 months
£2,335
£2,435
15 to 18 months
£3,445
£3,550
18 to 24 months
£4,830
£4,975
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025. If your accident was between 31 May 2021 and 30 May 2025, the older tariff applies, ranging from £240 to £4,345. In exceptional circumstances a court can raise the amount by up to 20%. Lost wages and other out of pocket costs are claimed separately from the tariff.
Which court track a road accident claim lands in depends on its value. An adult who was inside a vehicle will normally be in small claims if the injury is worth up to £5,000 and the whole claim up to £10,000. That injury limit drops to £1,000 in several cases:
At the time of the accident you were on a motorbike or a pillion or sidecar passenger, cycling, riding a horse, using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, or on foot
On the date of the accident the other driver's vehicle was registered outside the UK, or the accident was before 31 May 2021
When proceedings start you're a child, a protected party or an undischarged bankrupt, or either side is acting as personal representative of someone who has died
Children and protected parties have an extra rule. If their road accident happened on or after 31 May 2021 and the claim includes whiplash, the fast track is the normal track and it can't be allocated to small claims. That also applies if they were a child when the claim was first made. Outside road accidents, for example a fall on a broken pavement or an injury at work, small claims covers injury damages up to £1,500 within a claim worth no more than £10,000.
How a claim runs, and the Leeds court
The early stages of a claim are meant to settle it, or narrow the dispute, without a court hearing. The pre-action protocols set out the letters, evidence and response times both sides are expected to follow first, and there are separate protocols for general injury, clinical negligence and disease claims.
The claims portal: road accident claims for accidents on or after 31 May 2021, worth more than the small claims limit and up to £25,000, start on claimsportal.org.uk. Work and public liability claims up to £25,000 follow a separate low value protocol
Court tracks: above small claims, cases usually go to the fast track up to £25,000, the intermediate track for simpler cases up to £100,000, or the multi-track for higher value or complex cases
Fixed recoverable costs: since 1 October 2023 the costs a losing side pays in fast and intermediate track injury claims are fixed where the cause of action arose on or after that date. Disease claims follow the letter of claim date instead, so fixed costs apply only if the letter of claim wasn't sent before 1 October 2023. Mesothelioma and asbestos lung disease claims are left out and go to the multi-track
Part 36 offers: either side can make a formal written offer to settle, open for at least 21 days. Refuse one and fail to do better at trial, and you can be hit with extra costs and interest
Future losses: lump sums for things like long term care and lost earnings are reduced by the personal injury discount rate, set at 0.5% from 11 January 2025. It was minus 0.25% before that
Leeds Combined Court Centre on Oxford Row holds the Crown Court, county court and family court in one building. On the civil side it hears money claims, housing, bankruptcy and High Court cases. Your claim form or court letters will say which hearing centre is dealing with your case, so go by those.
Court
Address
Opening and contact
Leeds Combined Court Centre
The Courthouse, 1 Oxford Row, Leeds, LS1 3BG
Open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Counter by appointment only, 10am to 2pm. Civil and family enquiries go to the national contact centre on 0300 123 5577 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm)
No win, no fee and costs if you lose
The usual way to pay for an injury claim is a conditional fee agreement. If you win, your solicitor can charge a success fee on top of their basic costs, and it comes out of your compensation because the other side can't be ordered to pay it. In most first instance injury cases, the success fee can't be more than 25% of your damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity plus past financial losses, after money repaid to the DWP's Compensation Recovery Unit. Damages for future losses aren't part of that calculation, which protects the money meant for later care and lost earnings. Diffuse mesothelioma claims are the exception: the 2013 changes were never brought into force for them, so the success fee can still be claimed from the other side and the 25% cap doesn't apply.
Damages based agreements: the lawyer takes a share of your damages instead of charging fees. In first instance injury cases the share, including VAT, is capped at 25% of the same categories of damages
After the event insurance: a policy that covers some costs if the claim fails. The premium generally can't be claimed back from the other side, so ask how and when it's paid
Qualified one way costs shifting: if your injury or death claim fails, a costs order against you can normally only be enforced up to the total of any damages, interest and costs you've been awarded or agreed
Losing that protection: it can be lost in some cases, including where the claim is struck out for disclosing no reasonable grounds, as an abuse of process or because of conduct likely to obstruct the just disposal of the case, and, with the court's permission, where the claim is found to be fundamentally dishonest
Before you sign, ask for a written breakdown of what you'd pay if you win, lose or stop part way. It's also worth checking your car and home insurance for legal expenses cover, and union members should ask their union first.
Injuries at work, industrial disease and medical negligence
At work. Most employers carrying on business in Great Britain must hold employers' liability insurance against injury and disease suffered by their staff at work, with at least £5 million of cover. Under RIDDOR, employers and others in control of work premises must report work related deaths, certain injuries, specified diseases and dangerous occurrences. Illness caused by work, such as asbestos disease, hearing loss or vibration injury, can be claimed too. Disease and illness claims have their own pre-action protocol. Thompsons and Morrish, both on this list, say they do work for trade unions and their members.
Medical treatment. A clinical negligence claim has the same 3 year limit, with the same extra time for children and people who lack capacity, and follows the Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes. NHS Resolution, a special health authority sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care, says its purpose is to provide expertise to the NHS to resolve concerns fairly. Clinical negligence claims normally go to the multi-track, outside fixed recoverable costs. The exception is a claim that would otherwise be intermediate track where the defendant fully admits liability in its letter of response under the clinical disputes protocol and raises no limitation defence.
Compensation after a violent crime
If you were hurt in a violent crime, or someone close to you died because of one, you can apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Claims are decided under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. It can pay for physical or mental injury, sexual assault, bereavement and funeral costs, and in some cases lost earnings and special expenses. Injury payments are between £1,000 and £250,000.
Tell the police: the crime must be reported to the police before you apply
Apply within 2 years: that's the usual limit from the crime. CICA will only accept a late application where exceptional circumstances stopped you applying earlier and the evidence lets it decide the claim without extensive further enquiries
If the victim was a child: where the crime was reported to the police before they turned 18, the application must arrive by their 20th birthday. Where it was first reported on or after their 18th birthday, they have 2 years from that report
Free to apply: you don't need a lawyer or other representative, and CICA won't pay for one if you choose to use one
Accidents aren't covered: for example, a road collision where the driver didn't mean to hurt you isn't covered by the scheme
Leeds personal injury law: common questions
How long do I have to make an injury claim?
Usually 3 years from the date you were injured, or from when you first knew the injury was significant and who caused it, if that came later. If you were hurt as a child, the 3 years starts on your 18th birthday. A court can allow a late claim, but that's at its discretion.
Do I need a solicitor for a small whiplash claim?
Not always. Adults who were inside a vehicle can use the free Official Injury Claim service on their own if the accident was in England or Wales on or after 31 May 2021 and the injury is worth under £5,000. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and protected parties can't use it, among others.
How much of my compensation can a no win, no fee lawyer keep?
For most first instance injury cases the law caps the success fee at 25% of your damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and past financial losses. Your damages for future losses are left out of the calculation, and diffuse mesothelioma claims aren't covered by the cap. Other costs, such as an insurance premium, can also come out of your compensation, so get the terms in writing.
Can I end up paying the other side's costs if I lose?
Normally no more than you've recovered. Under qualified one way costs shifting, a costs order against a losing injury claimant can usually only be enforced up to the damages, interest and costs awarded or agreed in their favour. The protection can be lost in some cases, including a strike out because the claim disclosed no reasonable grounds, was an abuse of process or because of conduct likely to obstruct the case, and, with the court's permission, a finding that the claim was fundamentally dishonest.
Do I need a claims company to find me a lawyer?
No. Since 1 April 2013 the law has banned solicitors, barristers, insurers and claims management companies from paying or receiving referral fees for personal injury and death claims. Law firms in England and Wales can't pay to be passed your claim, and you don't need anyone to pass it on. You can go straight to a firm yourself.
Can I claim for my child's injury?
Yes, though some different rules apply. Children can't use Official Injury Claim, and a child's road accident claim from on or after 31 May 2021 that includes whiplash normally goes to the fast track rather than small claims. If no claim is made while they're a child, they usually have until their 21st birthday to claim themselves.
Which court hears injury claims in Leeds?
County court civil claims in Leeds are heard at Leeds Combined Court Centre, The Courthouse, 1 Oxford Row, LS1 3BG. If your claim is issued, the court papers will name the hearing centre handling it, which may not be Leeds.
