Should I make a claim for compensation? This is a common question asked to us when we are advising people about the merits of any potential claim they think they might have. Ultimately, it’s your life, and therefore your decision – no one can take that away from you, or force you in to making a claim.

So, as the decision is entirely yours, here are a few positive reasons why making a claim for compensation is a good thing.

Compensation Payout
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At The Injury Lawyers we often come across individuals who have been involved in road traffic accidents.  In the vast majority of cases they are able to provide some details for the negligent third party and we are able to progress their claim for compensation straightaway. 

But, what if you have been involved in a road traffic accident whereby you have been injured through no fault of your own, but the other driver has no insurance?  If the negligent third party had insurance you could claim compensation from them – but this uninsured drier may not be worth suing personally.  Does this mean that you cannot make a claim for compensation?

No.  That would be unjust.  It would be highly inappropriate if it were the case that your having no insurance meant that you did not have to pay someone you have injured any compensation.  Instead, a claim for compensation is pursued through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, more commonly known simply as the ‘MIB’.  This compensation fund was set up in 1946 to provide compensation for those drivers who had been injured at the hands of an uninsured driver.  So, even where the negligent third party has no insurance, you can still be compensated for your injuries; the only difference is that the money is coming from the MIB and not the negligent driver’s insurers which it typically would.
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Asbestos is a group of long fibre minerals that were used in many buildings in the 20^th century. It is often used in ceiling tiles and was even used in brake pads. It has been illegal to use in the UK since 1999 and is now illegal in EU member states. However, it still exists in many buildings throughout the UK, so care needs to be taken; particularly for builders working in buildings with asbestos.

When the asbestos is undamaged it apparently poses no risk to your health. However, even the slightest damage, such as a chip, can cause it to start releasing dust particles. These dust fibres can then be breathed in by everyone in the building. It is this dust that carries many health risks as it works its way into your lungs and causes potentially serious damage.
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If your holiday abroad is ruined because of an accident or illness that is caused by the negligence of someone else, it is possible that you could still make a successful claim here in the UK.

In general, if you have an accident abroad, you would usually only be able to claim compensation by making a claim in that country under their laws. This can be very difficult and expensive – especially if the legal representatives in that country do not work on a no win, no fee basis. There are often language barriers, the law may be completely different, and you may have difficulty dealing with a legal representative who could be thousands of miles away.
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Making a claim for compensation for injuries arising out of a relatively straight forward road traffic accident is both easy and fast.  Whereas a couple of years ago you could be waiting months, probably years for your compensation, it is now likely that you will receive your compensation in a few weeks or a couple of months.  This is because since April 2010 there has been a new system in place which has streamlined the claims process making it both more efficient and more effective.

Under the new system your legal representatives submit a Claim Notification Form to the negligent party’s insurers via a Ministry of Justice online internet portal.  The Claim Notification Form (‘CNF’) details your accident, your injuries, and the Defendant’s contact details amongst other relevant particulars relating to the accident.  This is submitted online and the Defendant’s insurer has 1 business day in which to acknowledge receipt of your CNF.  Once acknowledgment has been received, the Defendant’s insurer has a further 15 business days to admit or deny liability for your accident.  It must be stressed at this point that is quite common for admissions of liability to be received within just a few days.  Most insurers, where they know that the Defendant clearly was at fault, will just hold up their hands and admit liability as quickly as possible.  This means that your claim can be progessed much faster; but in any event, within 15 days you should know one way or the other whether you will be paid out or not.
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Motorcyclists make up less than 1% of vehicle traffic according to statistics, yet riders suffer 14% of total deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads (Source).  The most common type of motorcycle accidents involve right of way, loss of control on bends, and overtaking manoeuvres gone wrong.

The motorcyclist is vulnerable, and every year there are thousands of casualties following motorcycle accidents, of which many are sadly serious.

The most common compensation claim for motorbike accidents usually involves other vehicles where the drivers do not see the bikers; this is followed by pothole accidents (cases against councils for failure to maintain the roads that cause severe motorbike accidents), and then there are the cases where a spillage on the road has been the cause of the accident – with this type of accident usually claimed through the Motor Insurance Bureau as the vehicle responsible for the spillage cannot be traced.
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If you have been injured through no fault of your own, but through the negligence of a third party, it may be that you wish to be compensated for your injuries and suffering.  In most caes, although you are aware that you could be entitled to compensation, you are not exactly sure as to how you go about getting this compensation payout.  This blog offers a quick guide as to how to go about making a claim for compensation, and the process thereafter.

The first thing you should do is seek medical attention for your injuries.  You have to look out for number one and make sure that you’re properly advised by a GP or qualified expert.  At the end of the day, this will put you back on the road to recovery and ultimately lessen your pain and suffering.  However, once you have seen your medical expert, you should look in to instructing an injury lawyer to pursue your potential claim for compensation.
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Lifting heavy objects has the potential to cause severe injury that can leave you suffering for weeks or even months after an incident. Even if an object is well within your capabilities to lift you should always apply correct lifting techniques to prevent injury. This should be covered by your employer in your health and safety training; if it wasn’t, you may have a claim for compensation if you end up injuring yourself.

Usually the correct lifting technique requires you to keep your back straight and use your legs (which have much stronger muscles than your lower back) to perform the lift. Always follow any training provided by your employer as it will help reduce the chances of suffering injury, and some of the training may be specific to your job and the types of objects you will be lifting.
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“No Win No Fee” personal injury claims are advertised everywhere nowadays; but what does this actually mean?

A “No Win No Fee” is exactly as it sounds; if your solicitor does not win your case for you, you will not be charged for their services. The reason solicitors are able to offer this service is because they would not take on a personal injury claim if they do not think they have a good enough chance of winning it. At The Injury Lawyers we offer this service, meaning you’ll never have to pay us penny.

Receive 100% of the compensation – how does the solicitor get paid?
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Firstly, make sure that you and your passengers are safe and that it is safe to leave the vehicle. However annoyed you might be, don’t lose your temper with the other driver; the reason we have insurance is because accidents happen.

Exchange details with the other driver. Make sure that you obtain the registration, make and model, including a brief description of the type and colour of the car and any obvious damage caused by the accident. Do not rely on the other person to provide the details – check that the registration number is correct. Ask for the name of the driver and who the owner of the car is. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers and details of insurance companies. It is a legal requirement for a driver to provide this information after an accident.
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