As the technology associated with autonomous and electric vehicles is developed at pace, legal issues and regulations are being addressed. When you consider that more EVs were sold in the nine months to September 2022 than in the whole of 2020, this puts the challenge into perspective. In the coming months, we expect the government to issue a constant flow of additions to the Highway Code and guidance regarding existing interpretations. Recent additions to the Highway Code Slowly but surely the mist is starting to clear with regard to regulations and legal responsibility in relation to EVs and ..read more

While the personal injury claims market continues to grow, taking in both workplace and non-workplace accidents; how safe is it to work in the UK? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulator for workplace health and safety in the UK, releasing regular reports on the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace. A recent report, highlighting deaths in the workplace between April 2021 and March 2022, offered some hope for the future but still confirmed way too many deaths. What is the HSE? The HSE was set up as part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which itself was created ..read more

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite in the UK, insurance companies are braced for an increase in personal injury claims. While much has been done to reduce the number of rogue claims, a number of economic challenges have placed pressure on household incomes. It is important to be aware of the potential consequences if somebody pursues a rogue claim. The insurance companies have many ways of checking their claim, validating their story and could even monitor their movements prior to and during the case. Rogue claims are not a victimless crime While not so much today, historically the ..read more

While golf is often seen as a sedate leisurely sport, one with little in the way of physical contact and a huge area in which to play, sporting and accident-related injuries are relatively common. A recent report by the Golf Support website highlighted the fact it is more dangerous to play golf than it is rugby. While this information is based on 8.6 million sporting and recreational related injuries in the US, it cast a very interesting light on this “sedate” sport. How dangerous is playing golf in the UK? A further report by Compare Golfing Insurance confirms that the situation in the UK is ..read more

In the midst of the Covid pandemic, the prospect of legal action by employees against employers seemed fairly remote. The UK government had introduced regulations to protect vaccine providers and there were sighs of relief when the vaccines eventually emerged. However, fast forward a couple of years and there are now concerns about mandatory Covid vaccinations in the workplace and potential personal injury claims. Are mandatory Covid vaccines legal? When the government introduced regulations covering those working in care homes in England many thought this was a sign of things to come. While ..read more

Last updated on April 9th, 2022 at 09:00 am In light of the Covid pandemic, many people may be alarmed to know that not all workers are covered by the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) At Work Regulations. However, new regulations coming in on 6 April 2022 will extend the current framework. This is an important change because not only does it protect previously unprotected employees at work but it also makes employers potentially liable for injuries. Who is currently covered by Personal Protective Equipment regulations? At this moment in time, it is only workers who are defined as employees ..read more

Many people who join a gym are looking to regain their former fitness, lose weight and in these challenging times particularly, address their mental health. There are many potentially dangerous pieces of equipment in the gym but who is liable if you have an accident and are injured at a gym? All-encompassing legislation When it comes to traditional businesses, the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 is an all-encompassing piece of legislation. In basic terms, it places a legal obligation on the business owner to ensure the well-being of not only clients but also employees. In this instance, while t ..read more

The rise and rise of Tesla has catapulted the electric vehicle market into the headlines. Sales continue to rise, technology continues to advance and fossil fuel vehicles are being phased out, but there are a number of issues to consider going forward. In 2018, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles requested the Law Commission undertake a review into the use of autonomous vehicles on roads and in public places. The Law Commission report The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 currently dictates the issue of liability in relation to personal injury and RTA claims. There are a n ..read more

On 29 January 2022, a number of changes were introduced to the Highway Code. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on driving habits, and future road traffic accident claims. Motorists who ignore these changes do so at their peril as they could constitute dangerous driving in the event of an accident. It is imperative that you make yourself aware of the changes as there could be potentially fatal consequences. Hierarchy of road users Until now there was no such thing as a hierarchy of road users but this has changed. Under the new legislation, those most at risk of collision ..read more

In many ways, the authorities were stuck between a rock and a hard place with regard to relatively low-value road traffic accident claims. Very often the legal expenses associated with such claims would be significantly greater than the actual compensation received. As part of the Civil Liberty Act 2018 reforms, an online portal known as the “Official Injury Claim” service was created. In association with the UK government, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau launched the online service to enable those who’ve suffered minor injuries in a road traffic accident in England and Wales, on or after 31st May ..read more