How long after settlement will you receive compensation?

Updated: 3 Oct, 2025
By Chris Salmon

One of the most common questions after a successful work injury claim is how long it will take to actually receive the money. While every case is different, most claimants receive their compensation within a set period after settlement has been agreed.

At a glance

  • The median time to settle a personal injury claim in the UK is around 12 to 18 months, according to Ministry of Justice civil justice statistics (Source: MOJ statistics published 2024)
  • Most compensation payments are made within 2 to 4 weeks of settlement.
  • Delays can occur if liability was disputed or if interim payments were made.
  • Compensation is usually paid into your solicitor’s client account first, then transferred to you.
  • Payment timescales are governed by Civil Procedure Rules in England and Wales.

Standard payment timescales

Under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), once a settlement has been agreed, the defendant (usually the employer’s insurer) has 14 to 28 days to make payment. In practice, many insurers make payment sooner, but the rules ensure that you should not face an unreasonable wait.

After you agree a settlement, payment is usually received within a few weeks. Delays occasionally result from final checks or missing details. Share your bank info promptly and reply fast to speed things up.

John Kushnick

Legal Operations Director
National Accident Law

How compensation is paid

Compensation is normally paid to your solicitor, who holds the funds in a secure client account. Your solicitor will then:

  • Deduct their success fee and any other agreed costs.
  • Pay any outstanding costs such as medical report fees or After the Event (ATE) insurance premiums.
  • Transfer the balance to your bank account.

See also: Will I have to pay tax on my injury compensation?

No win, no fee, and success fees

If you make a personal injury claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, your solicitor will usually be paid through a success fee.

A success fee is the payment your solicitor receives if your claim is successful. It is a percentage of your compensation and is set out in the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) that you sign at the start of your claim.

The Ministry of Justice caps success fees at a maximum of 25% of your compensation for personal injury claims. This limit is designed to protect claimants and ensure you still receive the majority of your award.

It is important to understand how these fees and other deductions work so that you know exactly how much compensation you will take home.

Read more: Understanding success fees and deductions from compensation

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Real-world example

A warehouse worker settled her claim for £22,000 after a manual handling accident. The insurer paid the agreed sum into her solicitor’s account 18 days after settlement. After deducting the agreed 25% success fee and ATE insurance, her solicitor transferred £16,500 directly to her bank account the next day.

Factors that may delay payment

Although most claims are paid within 4 weeks, some factors can slow things down:

  • Disputed liability: If the case involved a last-minute agreement, the defendant may take the maximum time allowed to process payment.
  • Interim payments: If you have already received interim payments, the final award may need to be adjusted before funds are released.
  • Administrative delays: Errors with bank details or delays in transferring funds between solicitors can add time.

Lump sum or structured payments

Most workplace injury claims are paid as a single lump sum. In some cases, especially involving serious or long-term injuries, payments can be structured to provide regular instalments. These arrangements may take longer to set up.

What to do if payment is late

If the defendant fails to pay within the time limit set by the Civil Procedure Rules, your solicitor can apply to the court for enforcement. In most cases, the threat of enforcement is enough to prompt payment.

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  • Advice that's right for your case
  • Check if you can claim
  • No Win, No Fee explained clearly

If you decide to make a compensation claim, we'll connect you with the right solicitor.

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About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon