Recent figures paint a mixed picture for the personal injury sector. On the one hand, the number of new claims has dropped to its lowest level on record. Motor injury claims in particular have fallen sharply, with Q1 2025 data showing a year-on-year decrease of around 16%.
But while the volume of claims has declined, the medico-legal services market has grown. According to IRN Research, the UK medico-legal market expanded by 4.5% in 2024, reaching a value of approximately £677 million (Legal Futures, June 2025).
Why the Contrast?
This highlights an important trend: although there are fewer overall claims, the cases being pursued are increasingly complex and evidence-heavy.
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Shift to serious injury and clinical negligence: Many firms have moved away from low-value road traffic accident (RTA) work, focusing instead on higher-value claims that demand robust medical evidence.
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Greater evidential demands: Courts expect comprehensive, reliable reports to support liability and quantum. Missing or inadequate medical records are receiving growing judicial criticism.
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Market consolidation: Larger law firms and medico-legal agencies are absorbing caseloads and offering more specialist support, ensuring quality in complex litigation.
What This Means for Solicitors
For solicitors, the message is clear: quality matters more than ever. As claim numbers fall, the cases that remain are more demanding—requiring expert input that is:
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Thorough and defensible in court
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Delivered on time to meet procedural requirements
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Prepared by the right specialist (orthopaedic, neurological, psychiatric, etc.)
With wasted costs orders and judicial rebukes making headlines, there is little tolerance for weak or incomplete evidence.
UKExpertMedical- Expert Reports that Stand Up
At UKExpertMedical, we see these trends reflected in the work we do every day. Our experts deliver specialist, court-ready medical evidence that stands up to scrutiny.
From orthopaedic and neurological assessments to catestrophic injuires, our experts provide the detail and clarity that high-value litigation demands. In a market where fewer claims mean greater scrutiny, our role is to help legal teams meet evidential standards and secure the best outcomes for clients.
