The 2nd Chance Scheme for Serious Injury Cases

We believe that every client deserves the best possible chance to get justice.

Some cases are closed because liability is denied. Some cases are closed because the evidence is complex, or because are multiple parties. Some cases are closed because you just can’t see a way forward.

At Aequitas Legal, our 2nd Chance Scheme is about doing the best for the client. We know that even the most dedicated professionals can reach a dead end – especially with serious injury claims that involve tricky liability, tangled facts, or challenging evidence.

We work with referring law firms to give clients a genuine second chance at justice – protecting your reputation, preserving costs where a case succeeds and keeping things LASPO-compliant.

Why Aequitas Legal?

Exclusive focus on Personal Injury Cases and a proven track record of success in complex cases.

• Winner of Claimant Team of the year at the 2025 Personal Injury Awards, where the judges highlighted our 2^nd Chance scheme as pivotal in winning the award.
• Recently secured a £2.2m settlement in an accident at work claim for a client whose previous firm did not see prospects.
• 100% success rate for cases accepted under the 2nd Chance Scheme.
• Consistently excellent online reviews >4.9/5 on Review Solicitors and Google Reviews.
• 15+ years in business, helping over 10,000 clients.

The Core Offer

Protect your client and your reputation.

Refer to a niche, serious injury specialist team designed for complexity, with smaller caseloads, partner-led case strategy and excellent client communication.

Your client gains a realistic second chance at justice; you retain the opportunity to recover a preserved element of costs if the case succeeds, without further time or risk.

We effect transfers in compliance with LASPO and SRA standards.

How the 2nd Chance Scheme Works

Denied liability, contested causation, multi‑party contribution or complex rehabilitation and quantum issues are our daily work.

Typical Cases We’ll Consider

• Denied‑liability serious injury (RTA, EL/PL, high‑impact trauma, brain/spinal injuries, amputation).
• Previously rejected or discontinued claims with arguable routes to liability or causation
• Bulk case transfers where a firm is exiting Personal Injury and where you need a reliable and trusted partner to assist your clients.

1) No‑obligation file review
For complex intermediate track and multi-track personal injury claims where liability is denied, we review eligibility quickly and will only proceed where we believe we can genuinely add value.

2) Clear referral protocol
If we accept, we’ll agree a simple protocol with you covering:

• Transfer mechanics, where cases are not already closed, LASPO‑compliant retainer transition.
• Recognition of a preserved element of your reasonable costs upon successful conclusion (e.g., lien/WIP preservation or profit‑share by agreement).
• Updates at key milestones so you know your former client is in safe hands.

3) Specialist execution
The matter is run by a specialist serious injury team with deliberately low caseloads and a people‑first culture (Investors in People Gold).

Client communication is supported by the Aequitas Legal app for transparent progress and clearer fee/process explanations.

Successful 2^nd Chance Cases

At Aequitas Legal, we believe that every case deserves more than a standard approach = especially when the stakes are high and the path forward isn’t obvious. Whether it’s thinking differently, persevering when others have given up, or challenging assumptions that stand in the way of justice, our team is committed to doing what’s right for our clients.

Here are just a few examples of how our approach has made a real difference:

Thinking differently – Serious Trip Outside Supported Living Facility

Our client suffered a hip fracture when she tripped on a raised paving slab. Previous solicitors and two independent Counsel believed the case lacked merit. With just four months to limitation, we identified a key contractual angle missed by others.

When we told the client that the offer had come in they were delighted and said that “never in their wildest dreams” had she thought that we would be able to get her £13,000 – so they were left speechless when we told them that the offer was £30,000, not £13,000. The case went on to settle for £35,000 for our client.

Tenacity and perseverance – Knee Injury at Work

Our client had relevant pre-existing conditions suffered a knee injury using faulty equipment. Their previous firm had closed the case due to causation concerns and denial of liability.

When Aequitas Legal took over, we took care to select and instruct a suitably qualified expert who could split out pre-existing conditions and those caused by the accident.  With their report, we negotiated tenaciously and were successful in securing £18,000 in damages for our client.

Challenging denials – Elderly Client Hit by Reversing Vehicle

An elderly pedestrian was struck by a reversing lorry. Initial solicitors closed the file due to conflicting accounts and a police report favouring the defendant and seeming to agree that the vehicle had been stationary.

Aequitas Legal challenged the defendant’s evidence and highlighted that, even on their and the police report’s version of events, liability would likely fall on the defendant, as it could be inferred from the driver’s witness statement that they had not noticed the client due to having a restricted view when reversing and had failed to keep a proper lookout.

Our willingness to challenging the defendant’s denial led to a £40,000 settlement for the client.

Challenging liability – Construction Site Injury with Life-Changing Result

Our client (a construction worker) suffered catastrophic injuries when run over by an excavator at work and was left unable to work as a result. His previous solicitors struggled with liability between multiple parties and allegations of contributory negligence by our client. As a result, they were not making progress with the case and our client did not believe they could secure a positive outcome. After reading our online reviews, the client approached Aequitas Legal.

Despite no admission of liability from the defendants, we secured funding from the defendants for vital rehabilitation and medical treatment, and ultimately achieved a life-changing settlement of £2.2 million for our client.

The Christmas before the case settled, our client and his wife received donated presents from a local charity to give to their grandchildren – this is a stark reminder of the extent to which the accident had affected their finances and family life and a reminder of the positive impact the work we do as personal injury solicitors can have.

FAQs for Referring Firms

1. Will you preserve our costs?
   We are willing to preserve an element of your reasonable costs to date (e.g., lien or agreed profit‑share) if the case succeeds and can discuss this with you.
2. Are transfers LASPO‑compliant?
   Yes, transfers are effected in a LASPO‑compliant manner.
3. Do you guarantee success?
   No. We do not accept every case and do not guarantee outcomes. However, our track record for accepted 2nd Chance Scheme cases is 100% success to date.
4. How quickly can you review a case?
   We aim to review files promptly and will let you know our initial view and next steps as soon as possible.
5. What types of cases do you accept?
   We specialise in serious injury claims, especially those involving denied liability, complex causation, multiple parties, or discontinued claims.
6. Will you keep us updated?
   Yes, we provide regular updates at key milestones so you know your former client is in safe hands.
7. Do you accept cases that have negative advice from counsel?
   Yes, we will consider cases even where previous counsel has given negative advice. We understand that complex serious injury claims can be re-evaluated in light of new evidence, legal arguments, or a fresh perspective.
8. Can you help with bulk transfers?
   Yes, we have experience managing bulk case transfers for firms exiting personal injury work.
9. What happens if the case is not accepted?
   If we do not believe we can add value, we will let the client know promptly and explain our reasoning.

Contact Aequitas Legal

Ready to give your client a real 2nd Chance?  Or want to learn more?  Get in touch today – your enquiry will be handled in strict confidence.