Personal Injury FAQs

Disclaimer: The below questions and answers are intended for general informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice, please contact your accredited solicitor.

1. How to Choose a Compensation Solicitor

Once you think you have a case for compensation, you need to find a good accredited solicitor to help you.

Deciding to take legal action to obtain compensation for an injury or loss is a big decision. Many people rush into compensation cases, lured by the possibility of large financial awards, without taking the time to check whether their solicitor has the qualifications or expertise to manage your case efficiently and successfully.

A compensation case can take some time from start to finish, and so it is worth spending an extra few days on selecting your solicitor. Television, radio, magazines and the internet are full of compensation firms looking for business, and you should know how to distinguish the good from the bad. Choosing the wrong solicitor can result in an unsuccessful claim or one where you end up paying the solicitor a large percentage of your award. Whether at home or abroad on holiday, at work in the UK, or travelling the roads, Liddy's solicitors can help you with your accident and compensation claims.

2. The solicitor's track record

Talk to people you know who have had successful injury claims, read the local papers and talk to friends and family. Good solicitors will have a good reputation, and you can check whether they are regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales by typing their names into the Law Society's website. Make sure that the solicitors you are considering have a good track record of successful cases that they have demonstrated, that they see cases through to the end and that they can handle court cases where necessary.

3. Work Related Accidents

Regardless of where you work, whether in an office, a shop or a factory, workplace accidents are a very common occurrence and your employer is obliged to protect you through training, safe practice and have relevant insurance cover should an accident happen. Accidents at work occur in all occupations, from construction work and heavy industry to clerical and managerial roles. An employee can injure themselves by tripping over something, by slipping on a wet floor, or even by not having the correct equipment provided to carry out their duties.

While you are at work your employer has a duty to provide you with a safe place of work, correct equipment, a safe working procedure and adequate training in your role. They are also responsible for ensuring that the other people you work with also behave appropriately and do not cause accidents. Safety in the workplace is highly regulated and if your employer breaches any of these statutory duties, this may give rise to a compensation claim by employees who have been injured as a result of that breach.

4. Road Traffic Accidents

Every year we successfully recover damages for many clients who have been injured in road related accidents, whether they were drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pasengers or pedestrians. We handle the complete range of road traffic litigation, from Brain and Spinal Injury to Uninsured Loss Recovery.

Anyone who suffers personal injury in a road accident caused by someone else's negligence is entitled to claim compensation for their injuries and their losses.

Everyone driving a vehicle on the road should have insurance, but something like one in twenty do not. Where the driver does not have insurance, or where the vehicle is untraced, the Motor Insurers' Bureau will take the place of the insurer to protect the rights of innocent parties.

Liddy's Solicitors have vast experience in dealing with road traffic accidents and are able to help with the following;

• Brain and Spinal Injuries
• Motorbike Accidents
• Uninsured Loss Recovery
• Pedestrian Accidents

5. Sports Injuries

Physical sports carry with them a certain level of risk for those involved. Injuries can sometimes occur that are not preventable and are simply a part of a game. Therefore, a person agreeing to play sports is considered to have consented to this natural level of risk of injury. If an injury occurs that is not part of normal play however, it may be possible to claim damages.

It is not only professional sports people that are entitled to claim compensation when they are injured whilst taking part in a sporting activity. Anyone who suffers a sports injury, whether taking part on a professional, semi-professional, amateur or recreational basis, should be entitled to claim compensation if someone else is to blame for the incident. For blame to exist, the contact has to be reckless or dangerous and beyond the normal range to be expected in the particular sport. There may be a failure to supervise, referee or umpire the sport or activity.

Sports injuries can occur in a variety of situations, including:

• Team sports
• Exercise & fitness classes
• Gymnasiums
• Motor sports
• Physical education at school
• Outdoor pursuits (e.g. sailing, horse riding, water skiing etc.)
• Winter sports (such as skiing or snowboarding)
• Athletics

Injuries arising out of the general physicality of contact or active sports, or from genuine errors in their own judgement or that of other players, would not usually be considered eligible for compensation.

There are certain circumstances under which a sports injury can occur due to negligence of others that are not directly participating. For example:

• A dangerous defect present on a pitch, court, equipment or other sporting facility
• If a referee or umpire failed to take reasonable efforts to prevent any unnecessary risk
• If adequate supervision or training was not given
• Incorrect instruction given by the formal instructor or coach
• Reckless conduct by players
• Unsafe or poorly maintained facilities or equipment

These types of accident would not be considered part of the normal, reasonable conduct that a player would consent to and could give rise to a valid compensation claim. In most cases, sporting venues, schools and clubs will have liability insurance in place to cover such eventualities as personal injury claims.

Sports injuries can be serious and may result in the victim suffering a loss of earnings or other financial losses in addition to the pain of the injury. It is therefore important to seek the advice of a sports accident claims solicitor with experience of sport injury cases if you believe you may be entitled to claim, so that they can assess your individual case and advise on the best way to proceed.

6. Brain and Spinal Injuries

Liddy's Solicitors have vast experience in dealing with brain and spinal injuries. We have a bank of occupational therapists, neurologists, nursing care consultants and other rehabilitative specialists so that we can provide a seriously injured client with private treatment to accelerate a client's recovery as quickly and fully as possible.

7. Trip and Slip Accidents

• If you have suffered a trip or fall, then you need to record any evidence, ideally photograph the area and any reason that caused you to fall. Try to use an object of a standard size, to try and show the actual size of the defect.
• Try to record the area in which you fell, paint the picture as to the reason, whether it was poor lighting, slippery substances such as oil and water or ice. Perhaps there was a lack of warning signage.
• If you were injured in a commercial property such as a shop or sports hall, then try to discover if they have an accident book and record the accident with them.

8. A Compensation Solicitor for Psychological Problems

If you or a member of your family is suffering psychological problems following an accident, then talk to a compensation solicitor.

The psychological effects of an accident are often overlooked, because victims, doctors and solicitors are concentrating on the visible, physical injuries. People who suffer a traumatic accident, however, are also likely to suffer from psychological symptoms that include depression, lack of ability to cope with normal life pressures and sleeping problems. A road accident can trigger a fear of driving, whilst an accident at work may prevent the victim from returning to the same job.

Psychological problems are harder to diagnose than physical ones, and it can therefore be more difficult to present a compelling case for compensation. If you feel, however, that the problems you have suffered are severe enough to warrant compensation, and you have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder by your doctor, then you may decide to talk things over with a compensation solicitor, to see whether you can pursue the other party for a financial reward.

In the same way as a claim for compensation for a physical injury, your compensation solicitor will evaluate the information you give him or her on your case. They may want to talk to the other parties involved, or to anyone who witnessed the events, and they will certainly want to see a report from your own GP and also send you for an examination by an independent doctor or psychologist. This will help them to build a strong case on your behalf and demonstrate how the accident has affected your ability to work and your lifestyle in general.

Research has shown that psychological disorders can occur as a result of physical injuries, or exposure to traumatic incidents and this is often known as post-traumatic stress disorder. This is where the effects of the original incident have a psychological effect on the individual, affecting their ability to work, socialise and maintain good relationships with their families. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a recognised problem and a compensation solicitor will be able to help you to get a professional diagnosis and pursue compensation on your behalf.

If you think that you have suffered a psychological injury as a result of an accident or through something you have witnessed, then please contact us to see if a compensation solicitor can help you.

9. Clinical Negligence

On occasions, medical treatment may fall below the appropriate standards and you may be left with painful complications. Under these circumstances a claim for medical or clinical negligence compensation claim may arise. Medical negligence claims may involve GP's, surgeons, dentists, hospital doctors and nurses, either through the NHS or private medical care.

We are dedicated to helping victims of medical accidents to gain justice and compensation. We understand that even approaching a solicitor can be a difficult process and we offer a caring service which recognises your individual needs. We use our expertise and experience to help when you need it most.

10. Accidents Abroad

Accidents abroad bring with them a whole array of legal problems.

Gathering evidence in support of the claim, which defendant to nominate and which country's law applies. Liddy's have a good deal of experience in these types of claims.

11. What do you mean by No Win No fee?

If your claim is successful, we will be paid by the defendant and as long as you comply with the terms of the 'no win, no fee' agreement, we will not deduct any of our costs from your damages.

12. Will I receive all of my compensation?

You will receive 100% of your compensation and our costs will be met by the defendants. All you have to do is co-operate throughout the claim.

13. What if I believe that my solicitor has been negligent in my claim?

Sometimes solicitors make mistakes when dealing with a claim, either losing the case outright, or more often than not, settling the claim for damages less than the claimant should receive. If you feel that your solicitor has done a bad job on your claim, telephone us and we will discuss what we can do for you.