Losing the ability to speak as a result of a traumatic injury is a devastating and deeply personal experience.
For many, speech is more than communication: it is connection, independence, and identity. Whether your speech loss is total or partial, the consequences can affect every area of your life, from relationships and employment to emotional wellbeing. If this loss occurred because of someone else’s negligence, whether in a road traffic accident, assault, or workplace incident, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we specialise in serious and complex injury claims, including cases including neurological damage and catastrophic trauma. We understand that no two cases are alike. That’s why we will work closely with speech and language specialists, rehabilitation providers and medical experts to ensure your claim fully reflects the impact of your injury, both now and in the future. Many of our clients come to us after struggling with generic legal services, and we are often able to take over claims from less specialised firms. We act on a No Win No Fee basis in many cases, giving you expert legal support without financial risk.
For many, speech is more than communication: it is connection, independence, and identity. Whether your speech loss is total or partial, the consequences can affect every area of your life, from relationships and employment to emotional wellbeing. If this loss occurred because of someone else’s negligence, whether in a road traffic accident, assault, or workplace incident, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we specialise in serious and complex injury claims, including cases including neurological damage and catastrophic trauma. We understand that no two cases are alike. That’s why we will work closely with speech and language specialists, rehabilitation providers and medical experts to ensure your claim fully reflects the impact of your injury, both now and in the future. Many of our clients come to us after struggling with generic legal services, and we are often able to take over claims from less specialised firms. We act on a No Win No Fee basis in many cases, giving you expert legal support without financial risk.
The amount of compensation you could receive for loss of speech depends on the severity of your injury, the impact it has had on your life, and the financial losses you have suffered as a result. In most cases, your compensation will be divided into two parts: general damages and special damages.
General damages cover the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injury. This includes not only the physical loss of speech, but the emotional and psychological distress that comes with losing such a vital part of communication. The Judicial College Guidelines provide a framework for valuing serious injuries of this kind. For total loss of speech without deafness, or cases involving severe and permanent speech impairment, the figure may be assessed based on comparable neurological or head injury awards.
Special damages compensate for the financial effects of your injury. These vary widely depending on your personal circumstances, but may include:
Our specialist solicitors work with medical experts, rehabilitation consultants, and financial professionals to ensure that every aspect of your loss is properly assessed. We build a detailed and tailored case to maximise the value of your claim and support your long-term recovery.
The amount of compensation you could receive for loss of speech depends on the severity of your injury, the impact it has had on your life, and the financial losses you have suffered as a result. In most cases, your compensation will be divided into two parts: general damages and special damages.
General damages cover the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injury. This includes not only the physical loss of speech, but the emotional and psychological distress that comes with losing such a vital part of communication. The Judicial College Guidelines provide a framework for valuing serious injuries of this kind. For total loss of speech without deafness, or cases involving severe and permanent speech impairment, the figure may be assessed based on comparable neurological or head injury awards.
Special damages compensate for the financial effects of your injury. These vary widely depending on your personal circumstances, but may include:
Our specialist solicitors work with medical experts, rehabilitation consultants, and financial professionals to ensure that every aspect of your loss is properly assessed. We build a detailed and tailored case to maximise the value of your claim and support your long-term recovery.
Personal Injury Solicitor & Director, Brian Barr
Personal Injury Solicitor & Director, Brian Barr
Director, Brian Barr
If you have lost your ability to speak because of a traumatic incident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation. This could include complete speech loss, severe impairment, or lasting damage that affects your ability to communicate clearly.
To make a successful claim, it must be shown that:
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we act for individuals who have experienced life-changing injuries caused by others' negligence. Our team can also assist you if you’re acting on behalf of someone else such as a loved one who has lost mental capacity or a child injured in an accident. In these cases, we’ll guide you through the process of being appointed as a litigation friend, so their rights are fully protected.
If you have lost your ability to speak following an accident that wasn’t your fault, the first step is simply to get in touch. We will listen to your experience, assess whether you have a claim, and explain how we can help.
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we specialise in serious injury claims involving complex physical, neurological and psychological harm. From the outset, we work closely with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injury and its effects on your life. This allows us to present a clear and compelling case for compensation that reflects your long-term needs and the challenges you face.
We often act on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you will not have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If another solicitor is already handling your case and you feel it is not receiving the attention or expertise it deserves, we can take over and ensure it is managed with the care and commitment it requires. From the moment you contact us, you will have access to expert guidance, compassionate legal support, and a team determined to secure the best possible outcome for you.
If you or a loved one has lost the ability to speak following an accident, you deserve expert legal representation from a team that understands the life-changing nature of this injury. At Brian Barr Solicitors, our personal injury solicitors have a strong reputation for handling complex, high-value serious injury claims, and we are recognised as a Leading Firm in the Legal 500. We are also ranked in Chamber UK. Director Steven Akerman has been ranked in the Chambers UK Guide and is named a Recommended Lawyer in the 2025 Legal 500. Phillip Cohen, a co-director is ranked as a leading Solicitor in Legal 500 as well.
We work with clients across England and Wales and are proud to act in partnership with national charities such as Brake, the Road Safety Charity, Aftermath Support, and Road Safety GB, giving us deeper insight into how serious injuries affect victims and their families.
Whether you are making a first enquiry or looking to transfer your case from another firm, our team is here to help. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation and will guide you through your legal options with compassion, clarity and care.
Loss of speech can occur after several types of serious accidents, including:
These accidents often lead to neurological damage or direct physical trauma to the speech organs. Our solicitors will investigate your circumstances in detail and work with medical experts to identify the cause and establish liability.
Yes. You do not need to have lost the ability to speak entirely in order to claim. If your speech has become slurred, impaired, or difficult to produce due to an accident or injury, and this impacts your daily life or work, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Many speech impairments result from trauma to the brain’s language centres. In these cases, your claim would be assessed alongside any related neurological or psychological injuries. At Brian Barr Solicitors, we can represent you in a claim involving complex brain injury cases where speech loss is one of several serious consequences.
Potentially, yes. If your job depended on speaking clearly such as in teaching, performing, customer service, or sales, and you are now unable to continue in that role, this will be factored into your claim. Future loss of earnings and any need for career retraining may significantly increase the value of your compensation.
Yes, a key part of your claim will involve independent medical assessments. These are carried out by expert clinicians including speech and language therapists, neurologists, or psychologists, to provide an objective view of your condition and long-term needs. We will arrange and support you through every step of this process.
There is no fixed timescale, as it depends on the complexity of your case and how long it takes to understand the full extent of your injuries. Some cases can be resolved in under a year, while others, particularly those involving serious brain trauma or high-value losses, may take longer. Our team will always keep you informed and work to avoid unnecessary delays.
Yes. If the person affected is a child or lacks the capacity to manage their own legal affairs, you can be appointed as a ‘litigation friend’ to bring the claim on their behalf. We will guide you through this process and make sure the injured person’s rights are protected.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident or from the date you became aware that your speech loss was linked to negligence. Exceptions apply for children, where the time limit begins on their 18th birthday, and for those who lack mental capacity, where there may be no time limit at all.
We will help you gather everything required, including medical records, speech and language reports, employment documentation, financial evidence (such as wage slips or care receipts), and witness statements. Where necessary, we will arrange specialist assessments to strengthen your case.
Yes. Many of our clients come to us after starting their claim with another firm. If you feel your current solicitor is not providing the level of support or expertise you need, we can take over your case and ensure it is progressed with the care and specialist attention it deserves.
Read more about how we support client throughout the UK to claim compensation for their injuries or chronic pain conditions. Brian Barr Solicitors consistently achieves great results and high compensation amounts.
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