Posts Tagged ‘Personal injury solicitors’

Find out About Car Accident Compensation Claims

May 4th, 2011

Today everyone owns an automobile. A car is very convenient as it becomes so easy to commute to operate and care for alternative activities. A lot of people prefer to drive safe while they know the consequences of driving rashly. However, occasionally even when unfortunately we cannot enjoy it, we get in an accident.

We are human and so are sure to get some things wrong however the worst part happens when the mistake isn’t ours but somebody else’s and now we need to suffer losses for that reason person. Not only it is possible to possibility of getting severely injured but we might also lose our favorite car. Often, there isn’t any compensation with this physical and emotional loss.

Even though the other driver may have been influenced by contributing environmental factors for example problems with the street or surroundings, its likely the incident could have been caused due to human error, since many automobile accidents are. The mistake may have occurred simply through insufficient judgment, or it may have been the result of intoxication.

Following a road traffic accident it is necessary by law to stop and exchange insurance details with the other driver or drivers involved, and to call the police if needed. In the event the party at fault does not stop than the case is classed as a hit and run, a criminal offence.

Proving liability will probably be quite straightforward in the event the police were alerted following your incident and the other driver was found to become intoxicated. But if the incident was just a case of poor judgment, the required evidence can continue to supply you with the chance to win your case. Should you experience an accident and the fault was someone else’s, you need to get hold of as much information you can from those involved, including that relating to witnesses etc.

If you want to learn more detail in regards to the car accident compensation claims, you can visit this link personal injury lawyers and you can get more professional advice.


Everything You Need To Know About The Personal Injury Compensation Calculator

August 26th, 2010

A personal injury claim can be pursued if you have suffered physical or psychological pain due to an accident which was not your fault. To try and find out what the amount of the compensation could be, you could make use of a personal injury compensation calculator. You have to remember though that this is an estimate only.

There are several factors that have to be taken into account when calculating a claim. The main parameters used by this calculator will be based on the amount of suffering you have had to endure, the financial loss that you will suffer and the degree of fault. This includes not only your physical injuries, but the psychological damage as well.

Loss of quality of life must be taken into account. The financial loss that you suffer must be calculated. These include the expenses that you have already incurred as well as those that might occur in the future and are linked to the injury. There will be medical expenses that will be incurred.

The medical expenses may include surgery, treatments, prosthetics, medication and rehabilitation. You may require ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation and medication and this could run up quite a bill. Rising costs for these expenses have to be considered as well.

Psychological trauma due to the accident is another entitlement to make allowances for. Although it is quite hard to settle on a figure for this, the compensation calculator will be a useful tool to estimate this. Psychological trauma could last forever and could well affect those close to you.

The value of the loss of income due to injury will need to be taken into account. The loss of future income must form part of this claim as well. As the amount of the reward is based on the pain and suffering which was caused by someone else, the claim will have to consider your accountability too. If there was accountability on your side, the amount awarded will be adjusted accordingly.

As you can see, the use of a personal injury compensation calculator is very useful to calculate the approximate value of your claim. There are however many legal issues involved. Although it is possible for you to proceed with claims that involve small amounts and straightforward incidences, it would be a good idea to consult with a personal injury solicitor for assistance with the calculation.

Are you looking to claim for compensation? Try the compensation calculator from Grieves Solicitors, and get information and legal advice from personal injury solicitors in the UK.


The Car Accident Compensation Claim Process

August 24th, 2010

Being involved in a car accident is a horrific experience, though unfortunately it is one that many of us will go through during the course of our lives. It’s fair to say however that the first thing we think about after such an event isn’t likely to involve how to go about claiming car accident compensation for it.

Contacting a personal injury solicitor for legal assistance can be daunting at any stage, and the thought of it never gets any easier. Luckily, the majority of solicitors firms are very friendly, down-to-earth and are waiting to help you at any time of the day or night.

Car accidents can be a huge burden financially, what with sorting out the damage to your car, medical costs and sudden expense in having to seek alternative forms of transport. When the loss to you has been great, it is usually a good time to consider seeking car accident compensation.

The following four steps include what to do immediately after your car accident:

- Make sure that everyone in the vehicle is ok and see if you can determine what injuries, if any, you/your passengers have.

- Call the relevant emergency services, i.e. the police and ambulance.

- Take the details of any other driver/vehicle involved, including their names, addresses and insurance policy information.

- Take a note of where the accident happened, and of how you saw it happen. Taking pictures may be beneficial here.

Once you have done this, the next step would be to get in contact with expert personal injury lawyers, who will be best qualified to take you through the process of making a claim for car accident compensation.

Being in a car accident can damage confidence and may cause longer-term psychological or physical problems. It can also cause death or disability which is bound to have an effect on the lives of many people. Although car accident compensation cannot make up for such injuries, it can certainly help to put you back on the path to leading a higher quality of life in the future.

For the best chance of receiving car accident compensation you should contact the experts. We’re real personal injury lawyers with years of experience helping people get the compensation they deserve.


Some Brief Thoughts On Finding The Right Personal Injury Solicitor For You

August 12th, 2010

Finding the right personal injury solicitor for you is about a lot more than finding a solicitor who really cares about your case. At the end of the day, finding someone who is going to ‘care’ about your case really should be a given. There is a lot more to the entire system than finding someone who will care, and as such you need to be looking for someone who can tick all of the relevant boxes when fighting your case.

The first thing you will have to think about will be their experience in injury law. There will be a number of different solicitors who will work in all sorts of different types of law, but your specific requirements will advocate the need for a solicitor who specialises in injury law. Employing a specialised solicitor who works in this niche will be extremely important.

Not only should they practice injury law in general, but you should also try to find a solicitor who works cases concerning the exact type of injury that you have suffered and the exact type of case you are trying to build. Look at the success that they have seen in this type of law when working out whether or not to choose them.

Make sure that any solicitor you hire has significant trial verdicts, and not just experience. It is crucial that you determine whether or not a solicitor has had significant successes with verdicts, rather than simply being experienced within injury law. While most injury cases will be settled before being required to go to trial, taking your case this step further will allow you to get the full amount available. As such, if your solicitor has experience and is a skilled litigator, this will help you get full value.

The price that they charge will also be an important consideration. These types of solicitors will generally work through a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, and therefore you really have no risk associated with the case at all. However, it is still a good idea to try to find a solicitor who will not charge enormous commissions based upon the money they get for you.

Of course, if you know a specific solicitor who has already done a good job for anyone close to you then it may be a good idea to take their services. Getting a recommendation for a solicitor who has provided a good service is one of the best ways of finding out whether or not you can trust them and whether they will fight hard to win your case.

Of course, at the end of the day it is crucial that you actually like the solicitor that you hire, and that they like you.

Find apersonal injury solicitor at Grieves Solicitors in Huddersfield, UK. They provide legal advice and help you claim for compensation in a variety of areas including work accidents, road traffic accidents and employer liability. To see how much you could claim for after an injury, see there compensation calculator for more information.

categories: personal injury solicitors, compensation claims, compensation calculator


Senior Judge Says Legal System Has Become Incomprehensible Because Of ‘torrent Of Legislation’

June 21st, 2010

A senior judge has called for a new government to put an end to the “torrent” of legislation which has made the legal system incomprehensible to both judges and the public.

Speaking to The Times, Judge Charles Harris QC, president of the 600-strong council of circuit judges stated that criminal law had become so complex that judges had to have academic experts explain it to them.

Judge Harris also felt that civil law was so complex that some laws were “completely beyond the grasp of people to whom they apply”.

“Law which is not readily comprehensive is unfair law, because those to whom it applies have to spend time, money and anxiety in finding out by litigation what their obligations are.”

As the head of the judicial rank handling all serious cases in the Crown and county courts, Judge Harris pointed out that an average of 2,629 laws a year had been produced by the last 3 prime ministers.

Added to this there had been more than 3,000 statutory instruments a year and between 40 and 70 Acts of Parliament in the last eight years.
“Some substantive civil law is so complex that it is wholly inaccessible to the laymen to whom it applies and not much easier to understand for lawyers.”

The judge used consumer credit laws as an example, when stating that: “Academics graze contented in its thickets, while the people to whom the law applies have no choice but to sign contracts which they do not understand.”

The editor of Archbold, the criminal law compendium described the state of the criminal laws as a disgrace.

The judge therefore felt that it was time for the consolidation and rationalisation of criminal laws through the passing of a bill which would also prune all statutes and stop all legislation.

“It is vital to remember that laws should not be run up in haste and flung, as a palliative reaction, at every problem which may arise.”
The judge’s comments came on the heels of a warning by another judge that members of the public are “best off having nothing to do” with litigation.

“I am sympathetic to all litigants who get caught up in our legal system,” were Court of Appeal judge, Lord Justice Mummery’s sentiments as he pointed out the complexities of modern court cases and high lawyer’s fees.
The judge who is the country’s foremost expert on employment law, added: “The law is best kept as far away as possible; you’re best off having nothing to do with it”.

These comments were made by the judge when he rejected Devon lord of the manor’s appeal against a bill for almost 15,000 his company received after an Employment Tribunal hearing.

Lord of the Manor of Warleigh, David Piper argued that the compensation award after a disability discrimination claim was “travesty of justice”.

However, Lord Justice Mummery stated that Mr Piper’s challenge to the payout had “no reasonable prospect of success”.

For specialist advice on issues relating to personal injury, Duncan Gibbins Solicitors offer a no win no fee service where you keep 100% of your compensation.


World’s Worst Tennis Pro” Libel Case Against Telegraph Thrown Out

June 20th, 2010

Tennis player Robert Dee, who claimed that the Daily Telegraph defamed him by calling him the “world’s worst tennis pro” had his defamation claim against the newspaper thrown out by the High Court.

David Engel, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard had been pursuing media outlets for damages on grounds of defamation for Robert Dee. In the process, Engel won over thirty settlements for the tennis player. A 12,500 settlement from the BBC was just a part of the payments and apologies from media outlets around that world that Dee was able to secure with the help of his solicitors.

Of all media outlets, only the Daily Telegraph had decided to challenge the claim and sought to have it struck out. For this, the newspaper instructed solicitor advocate David Price.
Published in April 2008, the original article, the focus of this defamatory claim stated that: “Robert Dee, 21, of Bexley, Kent, did not win a single match during his first three years on the circuit, touring at an estimated cost of 200,000″.

“Robert Dee, 21, of Bexley, Kent, did not win a single match during his first three years on the circuit, touring at an estimated cost of 200,000″ read the original article in contention which was published in the Telegraph in April 2008.
The article further stated that: “But his dismal run ended at the Reus tournament near Barcelona as he beat an unranked 17-year-old, Arzhang Derakshani, 6-4, 6-3. Dee lost in the second round.”

Arguing that the article had exposed his client to ridicule, Addleshaw also argued that the publication had been detrimental to Dee’s ability to work in the future.

This morning, Mrs Justice Sharp rejected the contention the claims likelihood of sucess before a higher court and concluded that: “It wouldn’t be immediately apparent how the claim would be likely to restore or enhance the claimant’s reputation in any event.”

In addition, Justice Sharp added: “The incontestably true facts are that the claimant [Robert Dee] did lose 54 matches in a row in straight sets in his first three years on the world ranking ITF/ATP tournaments on the international professional tennis circuit, and that this was the worst ever run.”
Justice Sharp also felt that the Daily Telegraph had “no additional obligation” to prove that Dee “is objectively the worst professional tennis player in the world”.

Dee issued a statement saying that he was considering filing an appeal on Justice Sharp’s decision. This statement read in part that: “Given that more than 30 newspapers and other media organisations have already apologised for making allegations similar to those published by the Telegraph, it’s disappointing that the court has decided that my case against the Telegraph isn’t strong enough to proceed to a full trial.

Dee also felt that it was particularly disappointing in light of the fact that the court accepted that the Telegraph was “having a laugh” at his expense and that the article could be defamatory.

Want to find out more about how to make a claim for compensation, visit the Duncan Gibbins Solicitors website for up to date claims advice.


Intervention By Lord Carey Proves Unsuccessful

June 16th, 2010

In a landmark case, the appeal judge told relationship guidance counsellor Gary McFarlane, a Christian, that he had no right to refuse to give sex therapy to gay couples.

The judge in the case criticised Lord Carey who aired his views in favour that Christians should take action to support their beliefs.

Lawyers describe Lord Laws’ judgement in the McFarlane case as a stinging rebuke to Lord Carey.

Approximately one-third of the eloquent judgement by Lord Justice Laws in the recent appeal on the McFarlane case addressed the issues raised by Lord Carey of Clifton, who in recent times has become a spokesman for “persecuted Christians”. The judgement largely read as a direct response to the former archbishop of Canterbury.

Before the judgement was handed down, Lord Carey had submitted an extensive witness statement which sought to support the argument by McFarlane that his case should be heard before a specially constituted court of appeal of five lords justices “who have a proven sensibility to religious issues”, along with the lord chief justice. Lord Carey also made a controversial request to the effect that particular judges ought to recuse themselves from further adjudication on such matters as they had made their lack of knowledge about Christianity clear enough.

Laws quoted excerpts of Lord Carey’s witness statement while stating that he was compelled to specifically address Lord Carey’s particular views by his senior position within the clergy, and to the extent that people may find his views agreeable, but more critically because of “the misunderstanding of the law which his statement reveals”. At one stage, a polite reminder to Lord Carey reads that his “mistaken suggestions arise from a misunderstanding on his part as to the meaning attributed by the law to the idea of discrimination”. This was followed by a brief and concise lesson on what discrimination really means.

Arguing that Lord Carey’s arguments for a special court were “deeply unprincipled” and would “be deeply inimical to the public interest”, Laws emphasised that the Judaeo-Christian tradition has exerted a profound influence upon the judgment of lawmakers as to the objective merits of social policy.

Before the initial hearing, warnings of social unrest had been given by Lord Carey. By not only declaring that Lord Carey’s contention was mistaken but that it meant that “our constitution would be on the way to a theocracy, which is of necessity autocratic”, Laws’ controversial statements could have unintentionally created a bigger maelstrom. Laws also affirmed that the law “must eschew any protection of such a belief’s content in the name only of its religious credentials”, while emphasising that it must firmly safeguard the right to hold and express religious belief.

Pointing out that the judiciary’s role was to “administer the law in accordance with the judicial oath: without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”, Laws staunchly defended his colleagues in the court of appeal adding that: “The judges have never, so far as I know, sought to equate the condemnation by some Christians of homosexuality on religious grounds with homophobia, or to regard that position as ‘disreputable’. Nor have they likened Christians to bigots”.

Justice Laws disagreed with McFarlane’s argument that the Ladele case was decided per incuriam, by issuing a statement to the effect that “it is in my judgment impossible to contend that Ladele was decided per incuriam”.

To speak to an experienced professional with regards to making a claim for compensation, then visit www.duncan gibbins.co.uk who are specialist personal injury solicitors.


Making a Repetitive Strain Injury Claim

December 30th, 2009

With more computers being used on a regular basis nationwide, it was inevitable that the number of repetitive strain claims would rise with it. Many of these claims could be avoided if the employer had taken certain measures to prevent this from happening. It is the employer’s duty after all, to provide a safe working environment for its employees.

Repetitive strain injury claims are not that easy to claim for due to their complexities. For example, many people use computers at home also. In some cases it would be difficult to differentiate between obtaining RSI at home or at work.

However, if you are sure that your injury was caused at work due to your employer’s negligence, then you should make a claim. It is only in the employer’s best interests to provide stress-saving items to staff members.

What causes repetitive strain injury?

People suffering from repetitive strain injury often experience feelings of stiffness, tingling, and swelling. These symptoms are normally the cause of certain work processes that caused repetitive strain in the upper limbs. It has been claimed that around two thirds of office workers suffer from RSI, however many are not even aware that they can even make a claim.

It is important that the employee takes regular rests from the keyboard as this is a common cause for RSI. The PC monitor should also be adjusted to the correct height for the employee for health reasons. It is not just the keyboard that can cause a strain. Repetitive use of the mouse can also be the cause for RSI. Continuous muscle contraction due to being in a fixed position for too long can cause the symptoms.

If the employer fails to put these important health and safety rules in place, and the employee ends up developing RSI, the employer should prepare for the employee making a possible claim. It will all depend on how severe the RSI is. This will determine how much compensation the employee receives. It is best to get into contact with our solicitors who will best be able to advise you on your claim. The solicitor will ensure that you gain the best compensation possible.

Technology is advancing rapidly with laptops and other gadgets getting smaller to make it easier on the move. Seeing people working on their laptop or blackberry on the train or bus is a regular thing. However, this has also increased the risks of them obtaining RSI, particularly if they use these devices all day at work as well. The risks of them obtaining RSI become higher due to the smaller and closer-situated buttons. Commuters often work in uncomfortable positions as well, which makes the effects of RSI particularly more serious.

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


Seatbelt Injury Claim

December 30th, 2009

Most passengers have the false belief that travelling in an enclosed car will protect them from harms way. They even fail to strap on their seatbelt as they feel that the metal shell will protect them should they fall into an accident. It is a big mistake to think like this. There have been many cases of drivers and passengers suffering terrible accident injuries, and many of them have to deal with the physical and psychological impact. To prevent such catastrophic injuries, you should always wear a seatbelt.

The most talked about injury and one that is most commonly cited in a road accident is whiplash injury. A perhaps more less talked about injury is seatbelt injury. Seatbelt injury is actually a much more common injury than people think. If you think about the impact of a car accident, it is hardly surprising. When another vehicle slams into the back of your car or slams into the side of your car, you will be naturally jerked forwards or sideways. This jerk reaction will impact your body even if you are wearing a seatbelt.

Of course it is essential that everyone wear a seatbelt whenever travelling. Your injuries are more likely to be less serious wearing a seatbelt in an accident rather than not wearing one. It is fundamental to your overall safety and thousands of lives have been saved as a result of the seatbelt first being enforced.

If you have suffered a seatbelt injury, it could be because of the negligent behaviour at the wheel. The driver may have been speeding unnecessarily or overtaking dangerously. The driver also may have ignored the weather conditions and be driving recklessly or in road rage. If you feel that you suffered the seatbelt injury due to the driver’s negligent behaviour then you have a right to make a claim. It is your personal right as you sustained injuries due to someone else’s reckless behaviour.

What types of injuries you can expect if you are involved in a road accident

Depending on the circumstances of the road accident, you could expect to have the seatbelt dig into your abdomen. This can cause abdomen tenderness or even possible bowel injuries. You can avoid these types of injuries or reduce their likelihood of occurring if you take certain steps.

It is quite common for drivers to put on their seatbelts loosely before taking off. This can be a mistake, as it is important to wear a seatbelt as tight as possible to avoid personal injury taking place. Seatbelts are well known for saving lives so in the event of an accident it is important that:

* You wear your seatbelt as tight as possible

* Ensure that you always wear the lap belt over your pelvis and hips

* Wear the diagonal strap over your shoulders

Have you suffered a seatbelt injury in a car accident due to the driver driving recklessly? If this is the case, then you have a right to make a claim. Our solicitors will assess your case and advise you on what you should do next.

Ayesha Salim is editor of the UK Lawyers Network. Ayesha writes articles about road accidents, road traffic accidents and motoring issues. Please visit the website if you would like to see more of Ayesha’s work or if you would like to contact local solicitors or to talk with a personal injury lawyer.


Claiming For An Accident At A Supermarket

December 28th, 2009

If you tripped over something in an aisle or slipped on some juice in a supermarket, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. This is not something many customers will think of, however if you obtained injuries through no fault of your won, then it is your personal right to make a claim for compensation.

Supermarket chains such as Tesco or Waitrose owe their customers a duty of care whenever a customer goes onto their premises. This duty of care can even extend to the supermarket car park. Supermarkets should ensure that their customers feel safe at all times when shopping at their stores, as they are ultimately responsible for their well being.

What to do if you are involved in a work related accident

Employers also own their staff a duty of care in the work place. Many workers are engrossed in various tasks to ensure the smooth operation of the supermarket. These jobs involve cleaning to shelf stacking. Extra care should be taken at all times due to the sometimes risky nature of the work.

Check out assistants for instance can face health risks if great care is not taken. Check out assistants can suffer from repetitive strain injuries in their wrists, shoulders and elbows. Their neck and their back is also at risk if their working area is not set properly. Lack of appropriate warnings out in the aisles can put shelf stackers and cleaners at risks from spills and other obstacles.

As an employee if you suffered an accident at work and feel that your employer is responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to make a claim. It is best to seek advice from a solicitor who will be able to help you on your next steps.

Important steps to take as a customer if you are involved in an accident

If you are unexpectedly involved in a supermarket accident, there are some things you can do that will help your claim if you decide to make one later.

It is advisable that you report the accident to the manager of the store as soon as possible. During this process you can expect to be given an accident report form to fill in. However, in the possibility that this does not happen you should ask them to ensure that the accident is recorded in the accident book.

If you notice other witnesses around at the time of the accident, try to get their names and other contact details down. Furthermore, any pictures that can be taken will help your case, so if you do not have a camera available you can use the one on your phone if you have one. You should take photos of important details. All of this evidence will be beneficial to you in your claim for compensation.

If you have been victim to an accident and wish to make a claim, our solicitors will help examine your case and inform you of your next steps.

Ayesha Salim is editor of the UK Lawyers Network. Ayesha writes articles about supermarket accident claim, public place accidents and slips and trips. Please visit the website if you would like to see more of Ayesha’s work or if you would like to contact local compensation claims or to talk with a personal injury lawyer.