People should not be put off making compensation claims for personal injury because they think it will be too difficult or that they will be unlikely to win.

This is according to an article from the Independent, which recommends taking on "Goliath" if something negative has happened that was not the victim’s fault and which resulted in an injury.

"If someone else’s mistakes have lost you money or the ability to make it, it could be worth pursuing a claim … especially in an economic climate like this one," the piece suggests.

It adds that claims can be made for anything from an uneven paving stone to a mistake in hospital and that the amount paid out will depend on the injury sustained, as well as the evidence of financial loss, present or future.

Under the limitation rules, where an individual is bringing a claim for compensation, court proceedings must be started within three years of the date of the accident, after which the claimant will lose the right to bring their claim.

However, if the injured party was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, then they have up until the day prior to their 21st birthday to commence proceedings.