Why RWK Goodman is proud to stand with APIL

For those of us representing people affected by serious injury, access to justice is deeply personal. Each claim represents someone whose life has been disrupted through no fault of their own: an employee unable to work, a family facing uncertainty, or an individual rebuilding after a devastating accident.

This is why I am so proud of RWK Goodman’s relationship with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). As a founding corporate sponsor, we have supported APIL from the beginning of this campaign because we believe people injured through negligence deserve specialist legal representation, tailored support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Over the years, APIL has become more than a professional association. It has been a strong advocate for injured people, challenging misconceptions, shaping public debate, and ensuring victims’ voices are heard.

APIL’s latest report, The Justice Gap: Facing Victims of Negligence, highlights the significant challenges injured people face today. Its findings show that:

• Millions of people harmed through negligence never pursue compensation.
• Personal injury claims have fallen dramatically over the past decade.
• Increasing numbers of injured people are missing out on the financial support, rehabilitation and answers that a claim can provide.

However, statistics hide real stories. Each figure represents a person whose life changed instantly. Without specialist legal advice, many miss out on rehabilitation, treatment, or the financial security that could improve their quality of life and provide support to their families.

Too often, the burden of negligence falls on those least able to bear it, rather than those responsible. This is a reality we see first-hand every day.

I deeply admire APIL’s determination to challenge the myths that have surrounded personal injury law for too long. Public debate is often dominated by rhetoric about a so-called “compensation culture,” which overlooks the real experiences of injured people.

APIL consistently refocuses the conversation on recognising the needs of innocent victims, promoting safer practices, and ensuring those responsible for negligence are held accountable.

Their advocacy benefits everyone. Compensation is not a reward for injury; it aims to restore what has been lost as far as possible, funding rehabilitation, ongoing care, specialist therapies, adapted housing, and replaces lost income when someone cannot work.

Many clients also tell me that pursuing a claim provides answers, accountability, and reassurance that their experience mattered.

APIL’s report also highlights a trend many claimant lawyers have seen in recent years. Changes to claims processes, the impact of fixed recoverable costs, and hurdles for victims of crime, have made accessing specialist legal advice increasingly difficult for those who need it most.

The consequences are far reaching. Delayed legal advice often leads to delayed rehabilitation, prolonged financial uncertainty for families, and missed opportunities to improve safety and prevent future harm.

There is also a wider societal cost, with increased pressure on public services, including the NHS. APIL’s strength lies in demonstrating these broader consequences through research and evidence, ensuring policy discussions remain grounded in the real experiences of injured people.

Every day, I see the profound difference specialist legal representation makes. Supporting someone through a difficult time involves more than securing compensation. It means listening, explaining legal processes, arranging early rehabilitation, working closely with medical experts, and helping families navigate uncertainty with confidence.

It is a privilege to do this work, and specialist claimant lawyers across the country approach it with compassion, expertise, and determination. APIL has always upheld these values. Its commitment to education, ethical practice, and high professional standards has strengthened our profession and created a community united by the goal of improving the lives of people injured through negligence.

At RWK Goodman, our support for APIL reflects our core values. We believe specialist legal expertise changes lives and that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances. Above all, every injured person deserves to be heard.

As the legal landscape evolves, organisations like APIL are more important than ever. Through research, campaigning, and advocacy, they ensure the voices of injured people are heard where and when it matters most.

We are proud to stand alongside APIL, as we have since its inception. Together, we will continue to champion access to justice, support those harmed through negligence, and ensure every injured person can access the expert representation and support they deserve.