Most of us are currently enjoying the warm weather and will be making the most of it by spending time outdoors. Walking is a favourite pastime of many, especially when we have the beautiful Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep. However, this is not always a pleasant experience and walkers may come across hazards such as: – Blocked pathways Fallen trees Rusty barbed wire Broken stiles/gates Cattle in fields If an accident occurs and injury is suffered in those situations, then who is at fault? Public Footpaths If you are using a public footpath, then it is the responsibility ..read more

When a person dies as a result of the negligent or deliberate act or series of acts by an individual or organisation, a claim for compensation will normally be available to the deceased’s family on behalf of their estate and also on behalf of their dependents. To succeed with a claim, the person or people who bring the action have to prove on a balance of probability that the opponent legally caused the death or made a material contribution to it. In most cases, that person or organisation will be represented by an insurance company and/or solicitors. Common examples are deaths due to road tra ..read more

Contributory Negligence is a legal term used as a defence in a personal injury claim to suggest that the injured party was also partly to blame for the accident. Proving liability (or who is to blame) in personal injury claims is always the first hurdle to overcome. This means proving that the defendant is to blame for your accident. Once a defendant has been notified of a claim, they have a set period of time in which to investigate the allegations and then respond. They can respond in one of 3 ways: They could admit that they are fully at fault for the accident They could deny that they are ..read more

If a child (anyone under the age of 18) or a person who is not capable of looking after their own affairs is injured we are often asked if they can bring a claim. The simple answer to this is yes. The claim would be run in a similar way to other personal injury claims, the only difference being that any compensation awarded would need to be approved by a Court and would need to be paid into a special fund for the benefit of the injured person at the end of the claim. The process is designed to ensure that the child/protected party’s interests are looked after by the Court. Who will repres ..read more

As the mercury rises many of us are sweltering at work.  This blog explores the legal position around safe and recommended temperatures in the workplace. Temperatures in the indoor workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace. There is no recommended higher workplace temperature because of the temperatures found in places like foundries and glass works.  However, that is not the end of the matter as the law requires your employer to risk assess t ..read more

In these consumer-driven times it is increasingly common for dissatisfied clients to change solicitors – especially in personal injury claims. We often take over cases for people who are unhappy with the lawyers they first instructed, often when they were recommended to them by their own house or motor insurers. The reasons given by such clients include lack of communication, general delays, having to speak to a different person every time you call, poorly-written emails, inaccurate medical reports and generally being unhappy with the advice given. Every client has the right to change solicito ..read more

After the long winter we are now hoping that it’s time for the sun to shine with many of us will be booking holidays and aiming to “get fit for summer”. As a consequence of this, the number of accidents occurring in gyms and fitness centres inevitably increases. An active lifestyle is a key component to a healthy, balanced life and visiting the gym is a regular occurrence for many people, whether it be to attend an aerobics or spinning class, lift weights or run on the treadmill. But what happens when something goes wrong? Who is at fault? Can you claim compensation for any injuries sustained ..read more

Even if your exposure to asbestos was a number of years ago, you still may be able to claim compensation if you have been diagnosed as suffering from an asbestos related condition such as: – Mesothelioma Asbestos related lung cancer Asbestosis Pleural Thickening Claims have even been successfully brought by family members who have been exposed to asbestos as a result of a loved one bringing it home on clothes at the end of the working day. The potential period from asbestos exposure to developing a related condition is generally around 20 to 30 years but can be longer than this. Therefore, e ..read more

Our personal injury solicitors are here to help on a no win no fee agreement if you have suffered personal injury or been made ill.  Your injuries could be physical and/or psychological. You might have been injured at work, on the roads or in a public place whether in the UK or abroad. No matter how serious your injuries, we can ensure that you receive the right level of compensation, and can assist you in your recovery, by arranging appropriate rehabilitation to help you get your life back on track. We are always happy to meet you, free of charge, at home in hospital or anywhere that is ..read more

Normally, this is one of the first three questions that we are asked by injured people who enquire about bringing a claim. Clearly, there are many myths circulating about legal fees including that it is far too expensive to make a claim, so we hope this article will clarify the position:- Nowadays, the majority of injury claims are brought by clients who have signed Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) and also taken out policies of After-the-Event Insurance (ATE). This situation means that if a client does not succeed with a claim (subject to the rare exception I will mention later), then they w ..read more