Claiming compensation is your legal and civil right.
Are you one of the millions of people who have had an accident, suffered as a result, but are toying with the idea of claiming compensation. Maybe your accident was at work and you are worried about losing your job. Maybe you slipped on uneven concrete on a public path but are unsure what to do next.
There seems to be a stigma attached to getting compensation which I think is because of America being on the other end of the scale meaning you only have to sneeze in the wrong way and you are sued. Obviously this is an over exaggeration, but the Yanks do tend to claim for compensation for any minor ailment.
Having an accident serious or minor is no funny matter for the wounded. You might have to take days or weeks off work. Who is going to pay all your bills then? What if you’re off work for months? How will you manage? Maybe your injuries are not affecting you now but they might in the future. This is why you should really consider claiming compensation. At the end of the day it is your civil and legal right to claim for compensation. The money you would receive would cover all lost wages for the days off work you had. Also any expenses like petrol and parking at hospitals. But more importantly you will get compensated for your suffering. This will vary on the severity of the injuries and how much you suffered. But it will be taken into account any possible problems in the future that could arise due to your injuries. When I talk of suffering and injuries it doesn’t just mean for instance a broken leg. You might have suffered mentally which should be mentioned. Many people suffer from depression or anxiety attacks after the incident. Anxiety attacks or panic attacks are quite common in road traffic accidents.
Another reason many people don’t bother claiming the compensation which is rightly theirs is because they think it will cost them a fortune in legal fees. This could not be further from the truth. There was a time when people on low incomes could get legal aid for personal injury claims, but this was not fair on the people who weren’t on a low income. Why should people on low income be able to get a solicitor for free when anyone classed as not a low income should pay? This is why they brought out ‘no win no fee’ claims. This ‘no wins no fee’ agreement is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement means that no fees must be paid to your lawyer should your case for compensation prove unsuccessful. However, it is often advised that claimants take out insurance cover against their claims, because whilst the fees to the lawyer may be waived under the CFA, there still lies the problem of the opposition’s legal fees and expenses, which you are entitled to pay in the event of losing your case. The conditional fees must be set out by the solicitor at the start of the case before the claimant makes their decision as to whether to pursue compensation or not. If the solicitor is not explicit about any ‘hidden costs’ and possible further expenses before hand, then they run the risk of not being paid at all. As with most legal procedures, it is imperative that clients read the small print, and are fully aware of the financial implications for themselves should an accident claim fail. Generally a solicitor will not take a case on unless they think they have a very good chance of winning.
So there really is no excuse for not putting in a claim for compensation if you had an accident that was not your fault. There are plenty of personal injury lawyers available and you don’t have to use one in your part of the country. Only a very small percentage of claims go to court so solicitors up and down the country will take on your case if they believe they can win as they can do all their work in their offices. This is good news as you can do some research and find the best personal injury solicitors in the UK. All it takes is a phone call and an initial form to fill out with the accident details and you will be well on the way to receiving what is rightfully yours.
Another important reason why you should claim for compensation is because it might stop the accident happening again to someone else in the future. For instance if your accident was at work and you were hurt by a poorly maintained accident, then suing the company will make them think more carefully about their health and safety procedures. Remember any compensation and legal fees will get paid by your employers’ insurance company and not out of his pocket.
Carolyn is the webmaster for Accident Consultant, experts in accident claims and No win no fee.
Claiming compensation is your legal and civil right. / Author: Carolyn Clayton
