Claiming Compensation

Every year millions of people are injured in accidents. Often these unfortunate incidents are as a result of somebody else’s fault.  In these circumstances the accident victims have a right to claim compensation. 

Your solicitor may be prepared to work on a conditional fee basis. This is more commonly known as a 'no win, no fee' arrangement. If you win the case, your solicitor's fees will usually be paid by the other side. If you lose, you do not have to pay your solicitor's fees. You may be asked to take out an insurance policy to pay for the other side's costs if you lose. There are various types of conditional fee arrangement your solicitor will explain.

Accidents at Work

If you have sustained an injury as a result of breach of Health and Safety Regulations and/or the negligence of your employer you are entitled to seek compensation for your loss.  There are a whole host of statutory regulations governing this area of the law, including issues relating to manual handling, safe systems of work, occupiers liability, place of work and competent fellow work colleagues.  Compensation can be claimed for all manner of workplace accident or injury, ranging from the relatively minor and trivial trips and slips to the far more serious, including prolapsed discs from lifting or even, crush of fatal accidents from machinery or falls. 

Animal Claims

Sometimes members of the public can be injured by animals such as uncontrolled dogs, or even horses exhibiting unusual characteristics.  In these circumstances if you are injured then it is possible to consider a claim against the owner for compensation.  More and more people are insuring their pets and livestock with public liability policies and where damage is caused by these animals then compensation can be claimed. 

Beauty Treatment/Cosmetic Surgery

Nowadays it is far more common for individuals to undergo elective surgical procedures and non evasive beauty treatments.  Nevertheless, where these treatments are administered in medical premises and by trained staff they are also governed by rules concerning medical negligence. If such treatments go wrong then you may be entitled to pursue compensation for pain and suffering and loss of amenity. 

Clinical Negligence

Unfortunately clinical or medical negligence does occur and in certain circumstances compensation can be claimed.  Clinical negligence can result in birth injury, misdiagnosis, unsuccessful or erroneous surgery, as well as other more general faults.  These types of claim are by their very nature extremely sensitive matters and require the highest levels of expertise.

Defective Premises

If you have been injured on premises as a result of a defect, for example, a broken step or some other form of tripping hazard then you are entitled to claim compensation against the owner or occupier of the premises under the terms of  The Occupiers Liability Act.

Road Traffic Accident Claims

Although under the terms of your road traffic insurance policy all insured drivers usually have the benefit of legal expense insurance, you are entitled to consult your own independent Solicitor to represent you if you have sustained an injury in a road traffic accident.

Paul Finn is a Partner at Thackray Williams Solicitors.  He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.  For more information call 020 8290 0440 or email: paul.finn@thackraywilliams.com
Home or hospital visits can be arranged if necessary.