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The vast majority of people have to work to earn a living, pay their bills and support their families. If, in doing so, you are unfortunate enough to sustain an injury at work, then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

People are often reluctant to make a claim for compensation following an accident at work – which is understandable as the case may be against a current employer with whom the Claimant wants to continue working for. However, as personal injury lawyers with a wealth of experience in dealing with work accident claims, we would like to point out that companies are required to have insurance in place for the sole purpose of paying out compensation to people who sustain injury during their work. So you are covered!

Employers may also not react as you might think. If you have sustained injury at work you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. You could also recover losses such as medical expenses and loss of earnings. Remember, if you have sustained injury at work then it is your right to make a claim for compensation. You have been injured in the line of duty through no fault of your own – why wouldn’t your employer want you to claim from the insurance they have in place for making a claim?
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Pleural plaques are a form of scarring of the lungs. Pleural plaques do not usually cause any symptoms but they are an indication of previous exposure to asbestos. People with pleural plaques often become anxious, understandably so, that they will develop a fatal asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma.

In 2006 the law changed in relation to pleural plaques. The Court of Appeal ruled that people who suffer from the asbestos related condition would no longer be entitled to recover compensation.

If you have pleural plaques you are at an increased risk of developing other asbestos related illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. While the ruling of the Court of Appeal still stands, people who are suffering from pleural plaques may not be entitled to recover compensation.
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The most common type of injuries caused by an animal would undoubtedly be injuries caused as a result of being bitten by a dog.

There is no wonder that so many people have a genuine fear of animals, and in particular a genuine fear of dogs. Not all dogs are dangerous and it would be unfair to label them so. Certain breeds of dog are, however, labelled as more dangerous than others, but we have all come across a dog which is supposedly in the category of a potentially dangerous breed which is as soft as a brush.

Many people believe that a dog would not cause deliberate injury if he or she had a good home and a caring owner. We can never be too careful as dogs, and indeed other animals can be unpredictable and we are not able to fully understand them.
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Without a doubt, hair extensions are now one of the most profitable beauty products available, with a vast majority of women opting for this quick fix to have their dream hair.

It is hard to look at an advert or magazine these days, without seeing the little caption “styled with hair extensions”. As an ‘extension fan’ myself, I, like many others, enjoy the wide variety of styles extensions can provide and the confidence having the hair you’ve always wanted can bring. I am therefore shocked when I hear about the injuries extensions can cause if not fitted correctly, consequently turning the hair of your dreams into more of a nightmare.

Hair extensions have had their fair share of ‘bad press’ with regards to the damage they can do to your natural hair and scalp. However, there is a correct way to have extensions fitted, hence the many training courses available to hairdressers wishing offering this service. Fitting extensions may seem straightforward – however, everybody’s hair is different and therefore it is always advisable to book a consultation with your stylist to discuss how the extensions will work.
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The big wheel, hook a duck, and – my favourite – the dodgems, are all attractions you will often find at your local fairground. Fairgrounds attract a lot of people every year, and unfortunately, amongst the excitement, there is the strong possibility of an injury occurring.

The major areas that stand out as possible causes of injuries are poorly maintained rides, slips and trips from the area which the funfair is responsible for, and unfortunately food poisoning from the numerous food vans and onsite vendors. I will address each of these individually:

1- Poorly maintained rides – As some fairgrounds are temporary and therefore travel around the country, it is a possibility that rides are either poorly maintained or not set up properly and are therefore unsafe. For example; the harness on a ride may be loose and consequently not hold you in as safely as it should; I don’t need to say how serious injuries could be in this occasion. Another scenario can arise where parts of the ride have broken or come loose; for example; if a screw comes loose and is in the dodgems arena, this could then cause a dodgem to veer uncontrollably.
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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which is more common in men than in women. This is not surprising as mesothelioma can be caused as a result of exposure to asbestos. Although a rare form of cancer, mesothelioma is actually on the increase and is expected to continue rising over the coming years.

If you have been exposed to asbestos in your working life you are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. You may have worked with asbestos and think that you have been lucky enough not to contract mesothelioma. Unfortunately, people generally find out that they are suffering from mesothelioma a number of years after the exposure to asbestos. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from mesothelioma you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

So, what is asbestos? How do you know if you have been exposed to asbestos fibres? Asbestos is an insulating material that was often used in the building industry.  Many older buildings may still contain asbestos and therefore people need to be extra vigilant when carrying out any demolition or renovation work.
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A faulty equipment claim can arise in a number of different circumstances. From equipment at work to equipment in your gym, faulty equipment can result in serious injury and consequential loss. If you have been injured whilst using equipment that is found to be faulty, you may be able to claim compensation to cover the cost of medical expenses and recover any loss of earnings.

Faulty equipment at work.

Employers owe a duty of care to employees to ensure any work equipment they are required to use is safe and properly maintained. It is also expected of employers to provide adequate training to employees to ensure equipment is used in the correct way and does not cause unnecessary injury.
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As someone who can walk across a flat surface and fall over my own feet, the pavement outside can often be an obstacle course.

From broken, missing or raised paving stones, dodgy curb stones, to grates or manhole covers that are protruding or even caving in, these are all hazards that most of us face on a day to day basis on our streets.

Although tripping can sometimes be laughed off, most people do actually hurt and injure themselves.
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Swimming is a past time enjoyed by many of us – and with the Olympics just around the corner, I’m sure many of us will feel the urge to go to our local swimming baths and enjoy a quick dip! Whether you are lane swimming or just having a leisurely swim, the last thing you want to happen is to get injured whilst in or around the pool.

Injuries sustained whilst swimming can be serious as you have a larger amount of your body exposed than you normally would do. The first thing that comes into my mind is  that your feet are exposed and therefore any defects in the flooring are going to cause more damage than when you are wearing a shoe and step on something walking down the street.

Loose, broken and chipped tiles are often culprits in swimming pools that can cause cuts and slices to the skin, but there are also other potential hazards such as loose or uncovered drains.
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There is no doubt that electricity is a wonderful thing. The device you are reading this blog from is going to be using it, and no doubt if you looked around it may surprise you to realise just how much we actually depend on it.

As we all come into contact with it and use it so often, it is hard to forget that it is potentially a very dangerous force of nature.

Of course, the main injury that can be caused by electricity is an electric shock and at its worst- electrocution.  In this blog I hope to discuss two things (mainly focussing on the second):
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