Stay safe on holiday this summer

Everyone looks forward to a summer break, but every year many British tourists suffer injuries or illnesses abroad that could have been prevented. This article from leading personal injury solicitors, Injury Lawyers 4U, offers some helpful advice on staying safe this summer and explains what to do if an incident occurs.

Hotel safety

All kinds of accidents can happen in hotels, from slips and trips on uneven pathways to diving into shallow swimming pools with inadequate warning signs. You’d be surprised how many people fall off hotel or apartment balconies each year, too! Of course, not all hotel accidents are the proprietor’s fault, so it’s important to take extra care to avoid any incidents happening to you or a family member.

Road safety

Road accidents are one of the most common types of accidents abroad, often due to issues such as unfamiliar road layouts, substandard road surfaces and unsafe vehicles. If you’re on foot, always exercise extreme caution when crossing the road as rights of way may not be the same as in the UK. And if you hire a vehicle, check that it’s roadworthy before you drive it away. Mopeds should be avoided if possible.

Food and drink

Holidays abroad are a great opportunity to sample new cuisines, but foreign hygiene standards aren’t always up to scratch. Avoid eating in roadside establishments or from buffets where the food has been kept warm. And watch out for ice put in drinks or used to chill food, as it may be made from impure water.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you’re injured in an accident abroad that wasn’t your fault, or contract an illness such as food poisoning, you can claim compensation just like in the UK. Dealing with an incident abroad can be daunting, but Injury Lawyers 4U are here to help.

Here’s what you need to do whilst you’re still on holiday:

•  – Get medical treatment for your injuries or illness.
•  – Report the incident to the police if necessary.
•  – Tell your tour operator about the incident, if applicable.
•  – Gather as much evidence as you can, e.g. witness names and addresses, or photographs of the incident site.
•  – Keep all relevant paperwork, especially medical documents such as hospital receipts or discharge paperwork.

Then, call Injury Lawyers 4U on 0845 345 4444 or fill in the short form on our website. We’ve handled hundreds of successful accident compensation claims for overseas incidents and you can trust us to help you get all the compensation you deserve.

Lancashire fire-fighters receive £67,000 in compensation

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that fire-fighters working for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have received a total of £67,728 in compensation for work-related injuries sustained between 2008 and 2013. According to an article in the Lancashire Evening Post, this amount was spread over 10 claims, with the highest sum of £29,756 being paid out in 2009 to a fireman who badly injured his back in a fall.

Other payouts included £12,547 and £5,131 for head injuries, £2,350 for a shoulder injury and £7,585 for back and shoulder damage. However, some of the compensation amounts were much smaller, such as a payment of £198 for mouth injuries and tooth damage after a fire-fighter was struck in the face by an object.

Commenting on the compensation awards, a spokesperson for leading personal injury law firm, Injury Lawyers 4U, said: ’£67,728 worth of claims might sound like a lot, but in reality, only relates to 10 payouts over five years. Lancashire Fire and Rescue received a total of 17 personal injury claims for work-related incidents over this period – two of which are still awaiting settlement – which is actually a very good statistic for an organisation this size.’

‘It’s clear from the Fire Service’s statement in the Lancashire Evening Post that this organisation takes a very responsible attitude towards ensuring the health and safety of its workforce. And when things do go wrong, they take steps to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future, and make financial recompense to injured staff where appropriate.’

Sadly, not everyone is lucky enough to work for an organisation that takes its health and safety obligations as seriously as Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Every year, hundreds of employees suffer injuries or contract illnesses in the workplace that could have been prevented if their employer had followed proper procedures, or provided the necessary protective equipment.

Have you been injured in an accident at work that was caused by your employer’s negligence or omission? If so, Injury Lawyers 4U can help you claim the compensation to which you’re entitled. A national network of experienced and specialist personal injury solicitors, they’ve pursued hundreds of successful claims for all kinds of workplace injuries.

Call Injury Lawyers 4U today on 0845 345 4444 for honest, professional advice about your accident claim. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dog Bite Hospital Admissions On The Rise

Dog attacks have featured prominently in the news recently, with incidents such as the killing of 14 year old Jade Anderson by a pack of dogs raising questions around tightening dog control legislation. But whilst fatalities from dog attacks might be rare, the number of hospital admissions related to dog bites is rising.

According to the latest NHS statistics, 6,447 people were admitted to hospital for dog bites in 2011-2012, an increase of 5.2% on the previous year. Of these victims, 1,040 were aged under 10. A variety of different treatments were used to treat the resulting injuries, with plastic surgery being the most common requirement. Other treatment types included oral and maxillo facial surgery and trauma or orthopaedic care.

However, the damage caused by dog bites can go far beyond physical injuries. Being attacked by a dog or any other animal can cause severe emotional or psychological trauma. Many victims suffer nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety or depression. They may be forced to give up work, leading to financial insecurity, or stop pursuing hobbies or interests they used to enjoy.

If this has happened to you, claiming compensation for your injuries will help you regain some quality of life. As well as easing the financial pressure if you need to take time off work, or stop working altogether, you’ll be able to pay for any extra treatment or therapy you need to recover and move on with your life.

Talk to the personal injury experts

Injury Lawyers 4U are a national network of personal injury specialists. We have wide experience of dealing with all kinds of personal injury claims, including claims for dog bites and other injuries caused by animals.

Claims for dog attacks can be complex, and we may need to gather medical evidence and investigate the background and behavioural patterns of the animal that attacked you. You can rest assured that our expert lawyers will assess your case to find out if you have a valid claim before guiding you the through the process, step by step.

We’re here to help you 24/7

Our expert legal advisers are on hand to offer the advice and support you need. Call us on 0845 345 4444 at any time of the day or night to find out if you can claim. We are ‘no win, no fee’ solicitors, so there’s nothing to lose by asking us to handle your case.

Personal Injury Lawyer Myths – What You Hear Versus The Truth

It’s fair to say that personal injury lawyers and compensation claims companies receive their fair share of bad press. Although a few of these companies are a bit more ruthless and are only in the industry to make a ‘quick buck’, there are also many lawyers who work within personal injury that are trained professionals; dedicated to helping others receive what they deserve in what can be a traumatic time.

Let’s take a look at some of the common myths we hear about Personal Injury Lawyers, followed by the reality of how they actually work.

Myth: Claiming makes you part of a ‘Compensation Culture’

Truth: Despite the cries of some tabloid newspapers stating that the UK is following the USA into becoming a country that claims for absolutely everything and anything, there is actually no evidence to support this. In fact, the consumer group Which? have stated that the number of compensation cases has actually remained at around the same level since 1989. This goes to show that the vast majority of people who make accident or injury claims do so because their lives have genuinely been affected.

Myth: It will take years to get your compensation

Truth: Although some, more complex claims can take slightly longer to reach a conclusion, the majority are settled within the space of 12months. In fact, some claims can take as little as eight months, particularly those considered more ‘straightforward’ such as a road traffic accident when the injuries suffered are fairly minor. The work from the claimant’s side usually comes at the start when there is a fair bit of paperwork to fill out. However, after this there isn’t really much to do as it is very much left in the hands of the personal injury lawyer appointed to deal with the claim.

Myth: Your employer will sack you for making a claim against them

Although it couldn’t be guaranteed that your employer wouldn’t sack you, if they did so they would be liable for unfair dismissal. If you have an accident and are injured on your employer’s premises then they are liable to pay compensation. Employers are generally required by law to have insurance to cover them against this eventuality, so apart from maybe causing them a slight rise in their premiums, you are not going to impact them financially. It’s likely that you’ll actually persuade your employer to improve safety standards so the same thing doesn’t happen to one of your colleagues.

Myth: It’s better just to get money from the insurance company

You will sometimes find that an insurance company will try and deal with you directly if they know that it will save them money in the long-run. Although this can be a quicker option, you are then likely to lose out on the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. Insurers are big organisations who often look to intimidate an individual. This is why getting a personal injury lawyer to represent you will ensure you end up with the amount you deserve.

If you have been injured in an accident make sure you get the representation you need from a professional lawyer. Visit injurylawyers4u.co.uk for more information about your claim.

The 5 things everyone needs to know about Personal Injury Law

We all are aware of accidents on our roads because, unfortunately, they are a common occurrence. However, a large number of these accidents could have been avoided and, due to the extreme dangers associated to motor collisions, it is important everybody looks for ways to reduce accident figures.

What is personal injury?

There are a range of personal injuries that can occur. This could be anything from psychological illness to death. Personal injuries can arise from a number of different situations; such scenarios could be from a faulty product or service, tripping over debris or rubble as well as psychological and physical injuries from employment or as a result of a crime.

What happens after a personal injury?

Of course, after a serious personal injury, medical care is the most important factor. Once the individual who has been injured has had medical attention they may want to take action. Having a medical report could be very worthwhile should the injured party wish to lodge a claim later on.

Also, the police should be informed in various situations when there is an accident or personal injury. They will be able to assess the situation and make sure that the others involved provide the necessary information.

People involved in accidents can make complaints to the organisation or individual they feel is responsible for it. They may then receive an explanation or an apology.

Depending on the accident, an individual may wish to contact their employer, the police, local authorities or hospital.

How to make a compensation claim for personal injury

The person who has suffered an injury may wish to make a compensation claim for the trauma which they have experienced. Most people who have been wrongly injured make a compensation claim to address the loss of earnings incurred after the accident and to compensate them for their injuries.

In order to gain compensation for a personal injury, legal action will be taken in a civil court by using either a criminal compensation order, a claims assessor or with government compensation schemes.

Compensation: General or special damages?

When making a claim for personal injury you can gain general damages or special damages.

General damages provide compensation for those who have been unable to work, lost earnings or suffered pain after having experienced a personal injury. The court will establish the chosen compensation amount.

Special damages are given to those who have been injured and as a result experienced a permanent financial loss. Special damages will cover the cost of medical care, travel, belongings and repairing items.

Those who were not responsible for the personal injury will receive the largest payout in compensation.

What happens if somebody dies from an injury?

The worst possible outcome from a personal injury is death. If this is the case then a family member can represent the individual who died.

It is then their responsibility to complain and make a compensation claim. At injurylawyers4u, we make this whole process simple and straightforward. Contact us today to find out more about making your personal injury claim.