Dec 15

A personal injury is when you have suffered any form of harm through no fault of your own. This could include tripping on an uneven step while you are out to slipping on a floor that is wet at work and has not been signposted properly. By making a personal injury claim you will be able to recover losses due to the accident as well as compensation for the injury you have received.

The way you make contact with a solicitor who will deal with your claim will be entirely dependant on your preference. The main way that people do this is by phoning a company that specializes in this kind of claim. Other ways are if you do so using your computer or you can fax. As well as this you are able to go into a solicitors that you choose and ask if they deal with this kind of legal action and if they are willing to represent you. You should ask about fees though as there protocol can vary depending on the solicitor you choose.

A way that you can avoid having to lose the compensation you are entitled to is to go with a solicitor or firm that will get all expenses from the guilty party. In addition to this you are also able to get a service which means that if you do not win the case you will have no expenses charged to you which will mean that you do not have to be out of pocket should for any reason your case be dropped.

If you have had to take time off from work or spend time in hospital because of your injures then you can claim back the amount of time you have had to take off. As well as this you can also claim back any medical expenses and be compensated for time you have spent in hospital and for the treatments you have received.

One main thing you must do is make sure you report any problems you have as a result of any injuries whether they appeared at the time or a later date to a doctor so that it is all on record. If you do not have the proof then you may find that your case is lost due to lack of evidence.

You will be able to claim back financial losses as well as money for injuries and loss of earnings. If for example you broke your watch or your clothes were ruined you should make sure that you make a claim for these at the same time.

The amount you will receive will vary depending on the injuries you have received. The solicitor will make sure that they fight in your corner (so to speak) to make sure you get what you deserve. Everyone at the moment is feeling the pinch with the economic crisis, being out of work or at any kind of financial loss will only make things worse.

You should make sure that you claim what is rightfully yours. If another person is at fault then you have a case. The usual rule for making a claim is that the accident needs to have taken place in the past three years. Different countries or areas may differ.

Jo Wilson is an expert in accident compensation. If you want more information about types of personal injury or are searching for a reputable personal injury law firm please visit http://personalinjury.ffw.com

Dec 13
Dog Attack Compensation Claim
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 13th, 2009| | No Comments »

Being attacked by a dog can be one of the most horrifying experiences anybody can go through. The impact of the injuries sustained can be both physical and psychological for the individual. There have been many reports in recent years concerning dog attacks in the UK. Many of them involve certain breeds of dogs such as Pit Bull Terriers, and Rottweilers. Although these particular breed of dogs are more posed to be a threat to innocent bystanders, there have been many reports of attacks by other types of dogs too.

Generally, a dog attack compensation claim is more likely to succeed if the dog was known to have shown aggressive tendencies in the past. If there is evidence to demonstrate that the dog had bitten, or attacked an individual in a previous incident, then the owner is likely to be liable to pay compensation for the dog attack. It is the owner’s duty to restrain and control the dog, if the owner is aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, and it’s potential to harm others.

Young children should be particularly looked after as they are most at risk from a dog attack. They are often easy targets as their playful and innocent charm can lead dogs to take advantage. You should never leave your child alone with a dog, even if the dog has a history of being friendly. This is because dogs can sometimes be unpredictable too, and any sudden change in behaviour could lead to harm to the child.

According to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 certain breeds of dogs are required to be muzzled when in public places and micro-chipped. If you suffered an attack by a breed of dog covered by this act that was not muzzled, your claim is likely to succeed. This is even if the dog had not shown previous signs of aggressive behaviour.

Minimizing your chances of attacked by a dog

You may be standing near a dog which is about to attack you. You can feel its eyes peering at you, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Fear not as there are some things you can do to stop this from happening. Like do nothing. If you keep as still as possible, there is a chance you will make the dog bored and it will eventually go away. Don’t try to run as this could result in a high-speed chase, one which will lead to only one party being the winner, that party not being you.

What can you do if you have been bitten

Unfortunately you may not have been able to prevent yourself from being attacked by the dog, and this led to you being bitten. Whichever way the attack occurred, it is strongly advisable that you report the incident to the police or local authority. This is important not only for your own safety, but also to prevent this happening again to someone else. It is also essential that you seek medical attention straight away, even if the injury appears to be minor. Even a minor injury can become badly infected.

If you have been a victim to a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation. Our solicitors will assess your case and talk you through the process of making a claim.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about solicitors, Lawyer, compensation claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

categories: Solicitors,Lawyers,Accidents,Accident compensation,Accident compensation lawyer,Personal injury,Personal injury solicitors,Personal injury lawyers,legal,lawyer,law help advice,solicitors,litigation,claims

Dec 13
Food Poisoning Compensation
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 13th, 2009| | No Comments »

Food poisoning is much more common than people realise. With the temptations of numerous cafes and restaurants all around us, the danger of contracting food poisoning has increased rapidly. The impact of food poisoning can vary from being fairly minor to very serious, some cases even leading to fatality.

Food poisoning usually occurs after we eat or drink something that is infected with bacteria. Bacterial poisoning usually occurs when the food has not been heated, stored, or cooked properly. In addition, it can be caused by bad hygiene on the part of the chefs preparing the food. Failing to do simple things like washing hands or using clean utensils can all contribute towards causing food poisoning.

Symptoms of food poisoning

As everyone’s body reacts differently to food poisoning, there are no hard and fast rules on how soon you will become ill after contracting the bacteria. Some people become ill straight away, whilst others may take a few days. How ill a person gets will depend on how healthy the individual is, and the seriousness of the food poisoning itself. Some are able to recover quite quickly, whilst others take longer. Symptoms of food poisoning can vary from case to case, but usually involve vomiting, stomach upsets, dehydration, and fever. Usually these can be cleared up with the right medication. However, some of the more serious cases of food poisoning can lead to death.

Avoiding E-Coli poisoning

This type of bacteria lives in the lower intestines of healthy mammals. Once this bacteria is transferred to food it can cause food poisoning if ingested. This can be avoided by washing and cooking food thoroughly. Washing your hands after coming into contact with the food is also important to avoid transferring the bacteria to other food through touch.

Salmonella food poisoning

Salmonella is usually found in meat and poultry, eggs, and unpasteurised milk. It can also be found in untreated water and seafood. Similar to avoiding e-coli poisoning, it is important to heat food thoroughly. This is especially the case with meat. It is also necessary to wash hands thoroughly after handling the food to avoid transferring the bacteria to other food.

It is important you take these steps as once contracted, salmonella food poisoning is particularly hard to get rid of and has the potential of causing serious long-term health problems. The elderly are especially vulnerable as are the ones with a history of health problems.

Am I entitled to make a claim after suffering food poisoning?

If you suspect that your food poisoning was caused as a result of another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim. You may even be entitled to compensation if you contracted food poisoning whilst abroad on a package holiday.

If you wish to make a claim you will need to provide us with supporting documents to help your claim. These can include any medical reports from your GP and relevant receipts from restaurants. Our solicitors will assess your case and help you in your claim.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about accident claims, Personal injury Lawyer, accident claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

Dec 13
Amputation/Loss of Limb
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 13th, 2009| | No Comments »

An amputation of a boy part can be life altering for the individual concerned. Whether it is loosing a leg or loosing a finger, the psychological impact can be devastating. The level of care needed and the recovery period will depend from case to case. On most occasions it will depend on the severity of the amputation, and the coping mechanisms of the individual. The type of clam you make will depend on the way in which you lost your limb.

Making a traumatic amputation claim

Traumatic amputation occurs when someone loses a limb during a serious accident. This can occur in a road traffic accident, at work, or in a motorbike accident. These injuries can be complete, or even partial where some soft tissue remains, however the body part is completely crushed. In order to make a personal injury claim it will be necessary to be able to demonstrate that someone else was wholly or partially responsible for the amputation taking place.

Surgical error claim

Some cases that have been reported involve a surgeon that makes an error during the surgery, which results in an amputation taking place. This could be due to a number of reasons. There could have been misdiagnosis in the initial treatment which led to the surgical error. Or the surgeon makes a catastrophic mistake which results in the amputation of a limb. In order to make a claim, the patient will have to make one based on both the surgical error and the amputation.

Misdiagnosis

Perhaps the worst type of medical negligence that can occur is wrongful limb amputation. Unfortunately there have been many cases where surgeons have wrongfully amputated a patient’s limb due to misdiagnosis or amputating the wrong limb. Understandably the effects on the individual can be psychologically damaging. On some occasions a limb is removed on the basis that it is believed that this will prevent a disease such as cancer from spreading to another part of the body. In order to make a claim, it will have to be proved by the patient that the limb was not putting their body at risk.

Suffering the loss of a limb because of a serious accident, or due to a surgical error can have devastating life-changing effects on the individual. If you have been victim to an amputation based on misdiagnosis in treatment or as a result of a road accident, you will be feeling shaky and uncertain about your future. It is understandable in these circumstances to be worried about how you will cope emotionally and financially as a result of your loss.

Depending on the nature of the situation, some may be able to return to their normal course of employment, whilst others will struggle. Others need an extended resting period in order to fully rehabilitate. If you have unfortunately suffered a loss of a limb in an accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Our solicitors will assess your case with sympathy and compassion, and advise you on your next course of action.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about compensation claims, Personal injury Lawyer, surgical claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

Dec 12
Surgical Error compensation
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 12th, 2009| | No Comments »

Most surgeons perform surgeries on their patients to a high standard, and their patients expect nothing less as they are owed a duty of care. Despite this, patients have complained of errors occurring during their operation, errors which should not have occurred. The risks involved in a surgical procedure should not be confused with errors on the part of the surgeon. For example, the doctor has a duty to inform their patient of the risks involved in their surgery and the likelihood of it affecting the surgery. In these cases, if something goes wrong the patient cannot hold the surgeon responsible. However, if the error is related to leaving swabs inside a patent, or failure in the correct administration of anaesthesia to the patient, then the hospital could be held liable. If you have suffered as a result of a faulty injury, you could be entitled to make a surgical error compensation claim.

In order to make a surgical error claim, you have a three year period in which to bring forward your claim. In some cases, the error will not become noticeable until a much later date. In these circumstances your three year period will not begin on the date of your surgery, but the actual date you became aware of the error and injury.

The types of surgical errors that occur include some of the following:

Pieces of equipment being left inside the body, such as swabs

Complications with laser eye surgery

Operations being performed on the wrong part of the body

Performing the wrong type of operation

Damaging any nerves or tissue during the surgery

Errors being made in cosmetic surgery

Errors with anaesthesia, such as becoming aware during the surgery

How do you make the surgical error claim?

For your claim to be successful, you will have to demonstrate that it was the negligence of the surgeon, or medical practitioner that caused the injury to the patient. It will also have to be shown that no other reasonable medical practitioner in the same speciality, would have performed the surgery in the same way, and that the end result would have been different, had the surgery been performed in a different way.

Following the surgical procedure you should make a complaint to the hospital where you had your surgery, to ensure that the matter is fully investigated. You may gain an explanation for the error, and once the hospital is notified, it should take steps to ensure that an error like this does not occur again. However, it is unlikely that you will be compensated. Therefore, it will be useful to you to contact a clinical negligence solicitor who will be able to assist you in your case, and advise you on the best way to proceed.

Medical negligence compensation

Our clinical negligence solicitors are experienced in dealing with surgical error cases and will assist you in your case, should you decide to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. The effects of a surgical error can be quite traumatising, and in some cases you may be psychologically affected. We will provide you with the best legal advice, in order for you to make a decision on how to proceed.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about Solicitor, solicitor, surgical error compensation, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

Dec 12
Making A Tripping And Slipping Claim
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 12th, 2009| | No Comments »

A tripping and slipping accident claim can be successful if it is proven that someone else was legally responsible for the accident occurring. This will be largely dependent on a number of factors. In order for the defendant to invoke statutory defence, they will have to prove by reference to written records that they have a regular inspection regime in place, and have kept the location where the accident happened in reasonable condition.

A successful personal injury claim based on tripping and falling in a public place will be dependent on whether or not it can be proved that the accident was caused by the condition of the premises.

Accidents that occur in the street

According to Section 41 (1) of the Highways Act 1980 there is a direct duty to maintain the highway at Public expense. This was summarised in the case of Griffith v Liverpool Corporation 1967 where it followed:

“The duty at common law to maintain, which includes a duty to repair a highway, was not based in negligence but in nuisance. It was an absolute duty to maintain, not merely a duty to take reasonable care to maintain, and a statutory duty which replaced it will also be absolute.”

Regular inspections need to be carried out by the highway and local authorities to ensure that road surfaces are kept in reasonable condition and that they do not pose a safety hazard to pedestrians.

For the claimant to succeed, it will have to be demonstrated that the part of the road where the accident occurred was not reasonably safe, and that it was the serious defect in the road which caused the accident. This is where the notion of ‘reasonable condition’ comes into place. In some cases it is difficult to establish what is ‘reasonable’ as there may be many factors involved.

Accidents in other public places

If the accident occurs in another public place such as a shop, supermarket, or a place of entertainment, the occupiers of the building are under a legal duty to ensure that members of the public remain safe whilst on their property. The persons in charge of the building should ensure that fixtures and fittings are secure and do not pose a danger to members of the public. Accidents which occur in supermarkets are quite common due to people falling or tripping on some form of slippage. The defendants will have to provide evidence that they had reasonable protection in place when the accident occurred.

Factors to take into account

* Write down where the accident occurred

* Write down any relevant names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses

* Seek medical attention from a doctor for any injuries suffered no matter how insignificant

* Contact the relevant authority giving them a report with details of the defect/accident

* Photograph the scene of the accident. Photographs of the clothes and shoes should be taken instantly following the accident

* Any physical injuries, such as cuts or bruises should also be photographed

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about solicitors, Lawyer, slip accident claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

Dec 10
Making a Burn Injury Claim
Posted by Ayesha Salim in Compensation Articles on 12 10th, 2009| | No Comments »

Suffering from a burn injury is not just physically painful. It can be one of the most distressing episodes one can face in their lifetime depending on the severity of the injury. The more fortunate ones escape with minor burns that are easily treatable. Unfortunately some suffer more horrific burns which result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, or even death. The trauma associated with suffering these burns can stay with the individual for the rest of their life.

We use hot objects daily, and one minor slip can lead to somebody getting seriously burned. On a daily basis we use objects such as kettles and irons, which increases the risks of getting burned. There is also risk of sustaining burn injuries in public places and at work. Sometimes the burns are relatively minor, in which case they are easily treatable. However, other more severe burns can affect muscle tissue, bones and blood vessels.

A person can be exposed to burns from a range of different substances. For example, strong chemicals and radiation can cause severe burns. Many people might not be aware of side effects caused by burns such as smoke inhalation leading to respiratory problems. Therefore, burn injuries can be more complicated than most people would apprehend.

Burns are classified as first, second or third degree burns, each one outlining their individual severity.

Suffering from burns at work

You should note that your employer owes you a duty of care when you are at work. This is especially the case if you are working with dangerous materials that could be a risk to your health. Your employer should ensure that all the equipment and tools are in good working order, as even they can lead to burn injuries.

Your employer should provide you with adequate safety equipment if you are working with materials, and you should have undergone some health and safety training on how to keep yourselves safe.

Suffering from burns in a road accident

Suffering from whiplash or broken bones are not the only form of injuries that people suffer in road accidents. If the vehicle collides with another vehicle and catches fire, it can lead to its passengers suffering from burn injuries.

Being burnt at other public places

On occasion some freak accident in a restaurant or cafe can lead to customers suffering burn injuries. Plates of hot food and hot drinks can sometimes lead to fatal spills leading to injury. This can be due to the customer’s fault or even the staff member’s personal clumsiness.

Making a claim for compensation

You can make a claim for compensation if you can prove that your burn injuries occurred as a result of somebody else’s negligence. For instance if your employer failed in providing you with the correct safety equipment, you could have a good cause to claim against them. Our solicitors should be able to assess your case and advise you on your next course of action.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about accident claims, Personal injury Lawyer, compensation claims, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

Dec 8

Many people in the UK are undergoing vasectomy or sterilisation procedures as a way of avoiding pregnancy. There may be other reasons involved, however it all depends on the individuals concerned. Whatever their reasoning may be, it is their right to have the procedure done properly.

Most surgical procedures are performed successfully, however in some cases they are not. This can lead to distressing results for the patient and family members involved. In some cases, the patient find herself with an unwanted pregnancy, giving birth to a child she did not want. As the consequences are quite serious and life-changing, the law takes this very seriously. Therefore, if the patient can prove that the negligence occurred because of the surgeon involved, than it may be possible to claim for compensation.

Cases involving failed sterilisation

A surgery could fail for a number of reasons. Many women undergo a sterilisation procedure to avoid having any more children. It involves the procedure of the fallopian tubes being either cut or clamped to stop the eggs from travelling to the ovaries to the womb. The surgeon performing the procedure may be careless, where the clips become free if they are not secured properly during surgery.

Failed Vasectomy in surgical procedure

There is generally one or two reasons why a vasectomy fails. The first reason is in the surgical procedure itself, when the vas deferens tubes are not cut properly. Secondly, your surgeon may have failed in giving you correct post operative advice. Following the vasectomy procedure, it usually takes around four months for traces of sperm to disappear from the semen. Therefore your surgeon should warn you against unprotected sex, at least until the tests have shown that there is no more sperm in the semen.

Will you be able to make a claim?

This will all depend on your individual circumstances. For instance, in some cases the procedure may fail because of natural reasons, and not due to the negligence on the part of the surgeon. This can happen when the sperm duct or fallopian tubes regrow. However, in other cases the failed sterilisation or vasectomy is due to the surgical error. The surgeon may be responsible for cutting a ligament instead of the vas deferens tubes. Or the surgeon may fail to give you good clear post-operative advice.

In most cases, if conception occurs soon after a sterilisation or vasectomy procedure, it more likely to result in a successful clinical negligence claim. Whatever the reason may be for the surgery failing, it undoubtedly leads to great emotional distress often leading to suspicions of adultery. Compensation can be given for the emotional and physical distress involved with the pregnancy.

If you or your partner wish to make a claim, our solicitors will be able to guide you and answer and queries you may have. They will go through all the relevant options with you, and help you decide on whether you wish to take further action.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about accident claims, Lawyer, failed vasectomy claim, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation

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