Aberdeen is in Scotland, so accident claims here follow Scots law, which differs in important ways from England. You generally have three years to raise an action under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973; most claims go to the Sheriff Court (Aberdeen Sheriff Court, or the specialist all-Scotland Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh); and crucially the English whiplash tariff and the Official Injury Claim portal do not apply โ injuries are valued case by case. The city's NHS major trauma centre is Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the centre for the North of Scotland. You'll want a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, not the SRA. We are an information service, not a law firm, and we are not based in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen, the Granite City, is the energy capital of the UK and the gateway to the North Sea oil and gas industry. Alongside the offshore sector it has a major working harbour, a long fishing heritage, two universities and a busy road network linking the north-east of Scotland. That mix of heavy industry, marine activity and city life means accidents happen, and people are left asking how to claim. Because Aberdeen is in Scotland, the legal framework is Scots law โ a genuinely separate system from England's โ and understanding the differences matters. We are an independent information service, not a law firm, and we do not act on claims or sell leads.
Scots law โ a separate system
Scotland has its own legal system, so an accident claim in Aberdeen runs differently from one in England. Two practical points follow. First, where your accident happened matters: an accident in Aberdeen is generally dealt with under Scots law even if you live in England. Second, you should instruct a solicitor who practises in Scotland and is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland. Personal injury compensation itself is still divided between an award for the injury (assessed with help from the Judicial College Guidelines and comparable Scottish cases) and your financial losses, but the procedure, courts and time-limit law are Scottish.
The time limit: three years under the 1973 Act
In Scotland the limitation period for personal injury is set by section 17 of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. You normally have three years to raise a court action, running from either the date of the accident or the date you first knew (or could reasonably have known) that you had a significant injury caused by another's fault.
โณ Don't let the three years run out
Where an injury causes death, a family generally has three years from the date of death. Courts have a discretion under section 19A of the 1973 Act to allow a late claim, but it is used sparingly and the burden is on you. Children's three years usually run from their 16th birthday in Scotland (the age of legal capacity differs from England). Because a missed deadline almost always ends a claim, get advice well before the limit. See our guide to claiming in Scotland.
No whiplash tariff in Aberdeen
One of the biggest differences from England is that the fixed whiplash tariff and the free Official Injury Claim portal โ introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 โ apply only in England and Wales. In Aberdeen, whiplash and other soft-tissue road traffic injuries are valued individually on the medical evidence, guided by the Judicial College Guidelines and comparable Scottish awards. This can produce different figures from the English tariff, which is one reason to use a solicitor who knows the Scottish system.
Accidents common across Aberdeen
- Offshore, energy and marine accidents. As the heart of the UK oil and gas industry, with a major harbour, Aberdeen sees accident at work claims in energy, engineering and marine work โ some of which raise complex offshore-jurisdiction issues.
- Road incidents. The city's roads and the routes across the north-east are a recurring source of road traffic injuries, including motorcyclists and pedestrians.
- City-centre and campus slips and trips. The granite city centre, harbourside, universities and offices produce slip, trip and fall and occupiers' liability claims.
- Fishing and food-processing accidents. Aberdeen's fishing and seafood-processing heritage gives rise to industrial injury claims.
Where to get medical help
Always put your health first โ and your treatment records will also support any claim. Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, run by NHS Grampian, is the NHS major trauma centre for the North of Scotland, the first of Scotland's major trauma centres to go live, with the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital providing children's care. It anchors a wider regional trauma network that includes hospitals across the Highlands and Islands. For less serious injuries, an NHS minor injury unit or your GP is the right first stop. Keep a note of when and where you were seen.
Which court would hear your claim
Most Aberdeen injury claims would be raised in the Sheriff Court, with Aberdeen Sheriff Court serving the area. Since 2015 there has also been a dedicated all-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court, based in Edinburgh, which can hear personal injury actions wherever in Scotland the accident occurred. The highest-value and most complex claims (for example catastrophic injuries) may instead be raised in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's supreme civil court. In practice, the overwhelming majority of claims settle by negotiation and never reach a hearing.
| Stage | Body | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Main statute (time limit) | Prescription & Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 | The three-year limit in Scotland |
| Most court proceedings | Aberdeen Sheriff Court | Sheriff Court business for the area |
| Specialist court | All-Scotland Sheriff PI Court (Edinburgh) | Hears injury cases from across Scotland |
| Major trauma care | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | North of Scotland NHS major trauma centre |
| Regulator | Law Society of Scotland | Regulates Scottish solicitors |
Finding a regulated solicitor (we are not one)
We are not a law firm and we are not based in Aberdeen. We don't take on claims, sell leads or recommend specific firms. Because this is a Scottish claim, you need a solicitor who practises in Scotland and is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland โ not the SRA, which covers England and Wales. Use the Law Society of Scotland's "Find a Solicitor" service to identify and verify an experienced personal injury practitioner. For free, impartial help, Citizens Advice Scotland has bureaux across the area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit for an accident claim in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen is in Scotland, so Scots law applies. Under section 17 of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 you generally have three years from the accident, or from the date you became aware your injury was caused by it, to raise a court action. Where an injury causes death, a family normally has three years from the date of death. Courts have a discretion under section 19A to allow a late claim, but it is used sparingly, so act early.
Does the whiplash tariff apply in Aberdeen?
No. The fixed whiplash tariff and the Official Injury Claim portal introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 apply only in England and Wales. In Aberdeen, and across Scotland, whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries are valued individually on the medical evidence, guided by the Judicial College Guidelines and comparable Scottish cases, which can produce different awards from the English tariff.
Which court hears personal injury claims in Aberdeen?
Most personal injury actions are raised in the Sheriff Court, and Aberdeen Sheriff Court serves the area. Since 2015 a specialist all-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court, based in Edinburgh, can also hear injury cases wherever in Scotland the accident happened, and the highest-value or most complex claims may be raised in the Court of Session in Edinburgh. The large majority of claims settle by negotiation before any hearing.
Can I claim for an offshore or workplace accident in Aberdeen?
Yes, where an employer's negligence or a breach of health and safety duties caused your injury. As the centre of the UK's offshore oil and gas industry, with a major harbour and fishing heritage, Aberdeen sees energy, marine and industrial workplace accidents. Offshore claims can be legally complex, but employers must carry employers' liability insurance, so a successful claim is paid by the insurer, and it is unlawful to dismiss you for bringing a genuine claim.
Are solicitors in Aberdeen regulated by the SRA?
No. Scottish solicitors are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, not the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which covers England and Wales. You can use the Law Society of Scotland's 'Find a Solicitor' service to find and check an accredited personal injury solicitor who practises in Scotland, which is what a Scottish claim requires.
Get help from official, free sources
- Law Society of Scotland โ Find a Solicitor โ locate a regulated Scottish PI solicitor
- Citizens Advice Scotland โ free, impartial guidance in your area
- Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service โ the Sheriff Court and Court of Session
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) โ investigates serious work and offshore accidents
- NHS inform โ health information and services in Scotland
See the nation-level guide to making a claim in Scotland, or compare other Scottish cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow. Our guides to how to claim, how compensation works and no win, no fee may also help.