Month: October 2020

The Strangest Halloween Personal Injury Claims

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Covid-19, Seasonal, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised, Work Place Accidents

Halloween personal injury claims are more common than you think! Now, as a personal injury lawyer, it is very likely that you are going to get some strange cases. People get hurt in mysterious ways. But did you know that Halloween is actually the holiday where you are most likely to get hurt? This is because you’re roaming around for trick or treating, and you’re also going to parties in uncomfortable costumes. It’s not a surprise that lawyers sometimes have to deal with some strange events during their careers.

Whilst things may be a little different this year thanks to Covid-19, people can still celebrate the spookiest season in their own way. It’s important to take are to avoid personal injuries during this holiday, but if you do end up getting hurt, remember that Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help you with your claim. Use our claims checker to get started!

A Quick Word of Warning: Covid-19 & Halloween

It’s so important this year that people take precautions for this Halloween. We would like to stress that with Covid-19 facing a potential second wave, it’s more essential than ever that we take precautions in order to protect our families and loved ones. You should avoid going out trick or treating and instead try and focus on enjoying the spooky season with fun and games inside your house. Gowing Law is hosting a costume competition to get our clients into the spooky spirit. However, we have some additional pointers to help you understand what you should be doing on Halloween night.

As you can see, the best thing you can do this Halloween is to actually stay inside and try and indulge in Halloween through a small party for you and your household, a movie or perhaps a creative evening of entertainment for yourselves. Whilst you may feel the urge to try and go out to a party, or perhaps go trick or treating with your kids, it just isn’t safe to do so right now. The responsible thing is to honestly plan your own entertainment and repurpose all of your activities to your home. That way you can avoid catching Covid-19.

Pumpkin-Based Injuries & Halloween Personal Injury Claims

Did you know that in the USA over 3,000 people were injured through pumpkin carving annually? If you think that number is big, just imagine how many people must get hurt in the UK through similar activities. It actually means that overall, in the USA the amount of people who get hurt through pumpkin-based personal injuries is higher than the amount of people who get hurt at fun fairs!

There are many ways that you could get hurt whilst carving a pumpkin. Most obviously you could slice your hands whilst using a knife. However, there is also the potential to make personal injury claims from just lighting a candle inside of the pumpkin. There is a chance that lighting up a pumpkin could result in burns from being dropped or from setting the pumpkin alight! There has even been a case-study where a pumpkin ended up exploding and turning into a ball of fire!

If you are still interested in indulging in some pumpkin carving, make sure to follow these safety instructions:

Of course, we don’t want to put you off carving a pumpkin! Just make sure that you keep safe whilst doing it. If you do end up getting hurt then don’t worry, you could potentially have a personal injury claim if you can prove that there was some form of negligence involved whilst you carved the pumpkin. Stranger things have been claimed for!

Haunted Houses: The Customers & Halloween Personal Injury Claims

When we think about Haunted House, we think about people dressing up to give people a good spook when they enter a scary house. That’s what Gracie Gail Durmon thought when she was walking through a spooky corn maze and saw someone dressed up as Jason Voorhees with a chainsaw. Giving her a scare, Durmon decided to try and run but ended up slipping and falling onto the ground. She actually ended up trying to sue the maze owners for negligence. However, as it was obvious the maze would have muddy conditions, and Durmon knew she was going to be scared going into the maze, she did not win the case.

People do end up getting hurt when they enter a haunted house because of the dark conditions and props that are sticking out in strange places. It’s possible that you may end up experiencing a slip or trip whilst you are in there. Unfortunately, if you have signed a waver or contract acknowledging that you are going to be scared when you enter the premises, it is very unlikely that you will have successful personal injury claims. Unless one of the workers outright attacks you and tries to hurt you, you will not be able to prove that you were hurt due to someone else’s negligence.

Haunted Houses: The Workers

Whilst it might be quite difficult to make personal injury claims if you are a visitor to some form of haunted house or event, if you are a worker, it is very possible that you may end up getting hurt due to violent clients. Now, it is well-known that you are not supposed to touch the actors in a haunted house, as they will not touch you. However, that doesn’t stop aggressive visitors from lashing out in fear and hurting the actors that try to scare them. Workers may also experience repetitive stress injuries to their arms or hurt their vocal chords from all the screaming.

Larry Pit, a personal injury lawyer, has noted that:

“Haunted house workers are often attacked, causing them to suffer physical injuries, such as bites and broken noses.”

Some of the most injuries that a Halloween scare worker may experience include:

Broken Noses
Bites
Fire burns
Taser burns
Fractured bones
Bleeding

Workers may also suffer from slipping over props due to the darkness of the rooms and tripping hazards that have been randomly placed around the room. If you do get hurt as a scare worker on Halloween night, you can make a work accident claim. Make sure to tell your manager what has happened so it can be noted down in the work accident book. You should then get medical assistance as quickly as possible. You should next consider trying to gather evidence. Your evidence can include photographs, CCTV video footage, witness statements, medical records and financial receipts.

Hayrides and Personal Injury Claims

In the countryside, you may find that there is a bit of a romantic tradition where people try to sit in a hay wagon for a ride around the village. Some people may bring up drinks or go for a trip with their partner. Whilst there could be a potential traffic accident with pedestrians or other vehicles, there have also been a few people who have actually been hurt by snakes or insects that could be nestled within the hay. 22 people have even reported being crushed slightly by a hay bale that has fallen over.

Whilst accidents and personal injury claims may happen with hayrides, the reason why you may find it unusual is because they happen more in the US or the countryside. So, if you live in the city, you may not have actually heard about these little rides. Make sure that the ride has insurance before you book your ride around the village.

Decoration Arguments

You would be surprised about how many neighbours tend to get angry with each other for the type of decorations that they put out! Some people like going a little more extreme than others. They may go out and entirely decorate their lawn, whilst other people may decide on a simple pumpkin and some cobwebs around the patio.

Whilst this may not be a personal injury claim, it is a fun legal story! For one pair of warring neighbors, the Purtells were rather upset that their neighbours had ended up asking for an RV to be removed from their driveway. That was why they decided to passive-aggressively state their frustration through their decorations. They put some gravestones out that stated:

“Here Lies Jimmy, the Olde Towne idiot, mean as sin even without his gin, no longer does he wear that stupid old grin . . . Oh no, not where they’ve sent him! -1690-“

This started a war between the two neighbours after the police were called and forced them to take it down. They then decided to try and sue the police for taking down their gravestones. Whilst it was quite a complicated story, it is still quite funny to hear about them.

Keep in mind that you could end up having a personal injury due to the decorations that have been put out from your neighbours. You could slip, trip or end up getting hurt if you try to move them out the way. They may also be heavy and could fall on you. Keep this in mind before you go out to enjoy Halloween!

Common Costume Causalities & Halloween Personal Injury Claims

Apart from pumpkin-related injuries, costume injuries are extremely common. Think about it, you’re wearing tight-fitting costume that you will be moving around in constantly. This means that uneven walkways and long grassy areas are about to become your worst nightmare. Oversized costumes can make it more likely that you’re going to trip and fall over. This can cause some severe injuries.

However, injuries can happen due to the costumes and make up themselves. Whilst contacts and glittery make up can be fun to put on, however it can cause allergic reactions or may even be toxic! In some cases, there may even need to be a trip to the hospital in order to deal with any damaged or burned skin. Make sure to always do a patch test before you put makeup on yourself or on your children. You should also make sure to clean it off entirely before you go to bed to ensure that nothing goes into your eyes while you are asleep.

How do I keep safe on Halloween?

Although you should be planning your own socially distanced activities to enjoy Halloween, hopefully next year Halloween should be back to normal. So, if you go out next year, you should make sure to keep safe whilst you do it. Make sure to plan the trick or treating route in advance before you go out and wear a sensible costume. That way you can keep safe walking around and will not fall over. You should also only visit houses that have their lights on or decorations outside. That way you can know that they definitely want to take part in the season. You should also only trick or treat around well-lit areas. That way you can make sure that the area is safe.

Halloween Personal Injury Claims: Let Gowing Law help you!

Whilst you may be a bit nervous about Halloween Personal Injury Claims, as you may think it sounds a little silly, honestly, if you got hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you should make a claim about it! Gowing Law is here to help you get the compensation that you deserve. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get started. If you are happy to move forward with your claim, we work on a “no win-no fee” basis. That way we will make sure that you always end up on top. You will never have to pay any hidden fees.

Call 0800 041 8350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or use our claims checker. You can also use our live chat in order to speak directly to our helpful team.

Marriage Tax Allowance Claims: What do you need to know?

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, marriage tax, Uncategorised

Marriage tax allowance claims are here to help couples get a refund if they have been paying too much on their tax. Here at Gowing Law, we understand that your taxes can be stressful. You and your partner probably have different wages and can afford certain things together. For quite a while, Gowing Law has been helping people recover their PPI tax from HMRC. Now, we want to branch out in order to help our clients with additional forms of tax.

Our marriage tax allowance claims specialists are here to provide you with the support that you need in order to make a tax claim. Gowing Law can provide you with free advice and consultations to get you started. Before you contact us, make sure to read this guide to help you understand the basics. That way you can understand everything you need to know about this type of claim before you start to make your own. For more information, click the link below:

What is a marriage tax allowance claim?

If you are eligible to make a marriage tax allowance claim, it means that you can make a transfer of 10% of your own personal tax allowance to your partner/spouse. The amount for 2020/2021 is £12,500, meaning that it is likely that you could transfer around £1,250 to your partner. The 20% of the allowance is then used as a reduction for the highest earner. It’s a great way to lower the highest earners income bill by at least £250. Though keep in mind that this may change depending on the tax bill.

Take a look at the example below to get a better idea of how this type of claim works:

Can I backdate my marriage tax allowance claim?

Yes, you can! You can backdate your claim for up to 4 years, meaning that you could claim for all the years that you have missed out on. The different years include:

2019-2020: £250
2018-2019: £238
2017-2018: £230
2016-2017: £220
2015-2016: £212

It’s really important that you consider how many years back that you could claim your tax for since 2016. This could increase the amount that you are owed. Your solicitor can help you figure out how much you could be given as a pay-out.

How could I be eligible for making a marriage tax allowance refund?

Now, the marriage tax allowance actually came to fruition on the 6th April 2015. That means that if you have a claim then you should be able to backdate it by at least four years. Keep in mind that each of the years will have a different amount that you could claim for.

One of the main reasons why this is so important is that you could claim for all of the dates if you end up backdating your tax. Ultimately, you could end up with around £1,150 that is paid to you as a cheque. Take a look at the criteria below to see if you are eligible to make a marriage tax allowance claim.

Am I guaranteed to receive a pay-out from Marriage Tax Allowance claims?

This depends on your own individual circumstances. The amount of money that you receive as a pay-out from your marriage tax allowance claim depends on the wages of you and your partner. If you are struggling with the math, don’t worry too much! One of Gowing Law’s highly trained solicitors can help you with an estimate of how much you could be owed. They can also write to HMRC on your behalf to make sure that no mistakes are made. Paperwork can be tricky for any type of financial mis-selling claim. That’s why our trained lawyers are here to help you.

Can I claim a marriage tax allowance if I am retired?

Yes! No matter how old you are, there is a chance that you could have been paying too much on your tax if you have been married. As long as you have a personal allowance, and one of the couple is paying tax, even if your partner has sadly passed away, you can still make a claim if the partner had some sort of personal allowance.

Can I make a marriage tax claim if I am currently living abroad?

This is another common question that our clients tend to have. Most people have the common misconception that if they are no longer living in the UK, it is impossible that they will be able to claim back the money that is owed to them. However, if you got married in the UK, and are still getting a personal tax allowance from the UK government, you could make a marriage tax allowance claim. The only difference is that your solicitor may need to fill out some different paperwork.

What should I do if I am divorced?

Unfortunately, if you have recently been divorced then you are not eligible for a marriage tax allowance claim. If you have already been claiming for this type of tax, then you will have to alert the government about your change in circumstance. This is the same for if your wage changes or if you simply don’t want to claim for the tax anymore. Gowing Law’s solicitors can help you sort out the claim for you and work on your behalf to ensure that there are no mistakes made.

How will my marriage allowance be paid to me?

Now, when you get paid your marriage tax allowance, you have to understand that the money is actually used as tax relief for your partner who is eligible for paying their basic tax. Instead, they will be paying a smaller amount of tax. This is because it will be based on a smaller amount of their salary. The money they get from their claim will be received when they receive their weekly/monthly pay-check.

However, if you have back-dated your marriage allowance over the last few years, you should be able to receive it as a cheque through the post.

What should I do if I am not working?

Don’t worry! If you are not actually working right now, you can still get a marriage tax allowance claim. Instead, you must be the person to transfer 10% of your personal allowance to the working partner. If they are a basic rate taxpayer then you should be able to claim your tax.

Can I still claim marriage tax allowance claim if I am self-employed?

Yes! Many people seem to think that if they are not employed by someone else then it’s impossible to claim for any type of financial benefits or problems, such as PPI tax claims. As long as one of the partners is a basic tax payer and has a wage between £12,501 and £50,000, and the other earns less than £12,500, you should be eligible for a marriage tax allowance claim without any problems. You may also want to consider a self-assessment tax return or have one of our solicitors give you some more information about that.

Will I have to pay any tax on this type of claim?

Definitely not! Your marriage allowance is a way of actually reducing the amount of tax that you have if your partner isn’t using all of their personal allowance. If you do end up getting taxed then you will need to alert your solicitor as quickly as possible. Clearly, a problem has occurred and our lawyers will quickly sort it out as fast as possible.

Can I claim for a marriage tax allowance claim if I am on maternity leave?

Again, you can actually make a claim if you are currently on maternity leave if your wage falls under £12,500. You should still be able to transfer 10% of your own personal allowance to your partner.

Why should I make a claim with the help of a solicitor?

Although you can make a marriage tax allowance claim on your own, it can be extremely complicated. You have tricky paperwork to fill in and there is a high chance that you could make a mistake that could invalidate the claim. This is where your solicitor can step in. They can:

Double check all of your mathematical calculations
Keep your evidence safe so it can be organized
Fill out any difficult paperwork
Contact HMRC on your behalf
Give your free advice and consultations
Keep you updated about the status of your claim

Having the assistance of a marriage tax allowance claim solicitor can make sure to keep you on track with the claim. That way if any problems arise then you can know that you have specialist experience on your side. They will make sure that you get the pay-out that you deserve.

How much do marriage tax allowance claims cost?

No, you don’t have to pay any hidden fees when you make a claim with Gowing Law Solicitors. All of our claims are sorted on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will not need to worry about any upfront costs. You will only need to pay a fee to our solicitors if you end up having a successful claim. That means that you will always come out on top and will never need to pay more than you have to.

How long will it take to make a claim?

We understand that your time is precious. That’s why we endeavour to handle your claim as quickly as possible. Keep in mind with the current Covid-19 situation, there may be delays due to social distancing and new safety timetabling policies, but we will always do our best to keep you in the loop about what is happening.

Remember, that every situation is difficult. If you claim is more complicated than others then it will take longer. Feel free to ask your solicitor for information about a potential timeline.

How do I make a marriage tax allowance claim?

We would advise that you fill out our claims form to get started. It only takes 30 seconds and then one of our claims specialists will be in contact as quickly as possible. To fill out the form, we need to know:

Your marriage status
Your income status
The income status of your partner

That’s literally it! Once we know these crucial details we can work with you to ensure that you get the highest pay-out possible. Keep in mind that your solicitor may ask you some additional details to make sure that the claim runs smoothly. Make sure to have your own paperwork ready, for instance proof of your wage or your partner’s wage.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help!

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, our clients are our priority. That’s why we are determined to help you get the highest pay-out possible. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you want to move forward with your claim, we work on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always get the best outcome, even if you do not win your case. There are no hidden fees.

Contact Gowing Law today by calling 0800 041 8350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or use our claims checker. You can even use our LiveChat if you need a faster way to get in contact with our staff. From there, one of our specialists will be in touch to let you know the status of your claim and to ask you more information.

Want to learn more information about Marriage Tax Allowance claims?

We keep our legal blog updated with the latest information about UK law and different types of compensation. We upload new blogs every week and also talk about Gowing Law’s latest updates and competitions. Gowing Law is even creating a new loyalty scheme that will thank you for working with Gowing Law. Make sure to keep an eye out for it and check out our socials as well for new content.

Join in Gowing Law’s Halloween Costume Competition!

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Uncategorised

A Halloween costume competition is the perfect way to raise our clients’ ”spirits”, pardon the expression. Gowing Law always celebrates Halloween in style. It’s a great time to enjoy the tricks and treats of the season. No matter what age you are, there is nothing better than either going out trick or treating, or perhaps going out to a party.

Now, this year, with Covid-19 floating around the UK and the world, we understand that Halloween may be a bit different. We have already spoken about Halloween and personal injuries, however an additional danger may be in relation to Covid-19 and the lack of social distancing Halloween could bring. We want to make sure that our clients can still enjoy some Halloween fun. Let us spoil you rotten with the rewards of our Halloween costume competition!

Why are you hosting a Halloween costume competition?

Why wouldn’t we? Most of the UK has been put into tier two or three of the UK lockdown. This means that access to public buildings has been limited and trick or treating may become more dangerous than it initially seems. In tier 3 areas it also means that people cannot meet outside of their support bubble, which that can only consist of 6 people.

This can be rather depressing if you think about it. That’s why we want to try and help encourage some Halloween spirit from our clients. Everyone loves chocolate and we are more than ready to give some away in our competition. It’s time for you to learn more information about what we have in store for you with our Halloween Costume Competition. Just look below to get a glimpse at the prize we are offering participants:

Gowing Law’s Halloween Costume Competition: How can I get involved?

Gowing Law’s Halloween costume competition is pretty simple! All you need to do is show us your best Halloween costume. Send a picture to our social feeds (aka. Gowing Law’s Twitter or Gowing Law’s Facebook) with the tag @Gowinglaw! Take a look at our example below to get an idea of how you should do it:

As you can see from our post, just include the @GowingLaw and we will be instantly alerted to your Halloween costume entry. Feel free to also tag any friends or family that you think would be interested in getting involved.

The deadline for this competition is the 31st October at Midnight. Don’t worry! We will keep sending out alerts to make sure you are reminded to take part. You can also have a look at the helpful timer below to see how long you have before the competition ends.

Halloween Costume Competition Countdown

So, what are the main things I need to know about this competition?

Just in case you want to skim through the costume competition so you understand what you need to do, here are the rules in simple terms:

Send Gowing Law a picture of you in your Halloween costume through our Twitter or Facebook
Tag Gowing Law in the post with @GowingLaw
Feel free to tag friends and family that may want to take part in the competition
Post your picture before the deadline of the 31st of October at Midnight
Gowing Law will then announce the winner and ask them (privately) for a sending address so they can receive their prize. We will also ask them for their permission to display the winning costume on our Facebook, Twitter and in our newsletter.

Will you be doing anything else for Halloween?

Once you have joined our Halloween costume competition, we would recommend that you also keep an eye on our blog and our social media. We are going to be updating it with interesting facts and information about spooky personal injury claims cases, quizzes, games and the occasional video. That way you can always keep entertained. Make sure to check back to see what we upload. We can also send out reminders just to make sure you don’t forget about us before the competition’s deadline.

Gowing Law Solicitors is here to support you

Don’t forget that if you have suffered from a personal injury, Gowing Law will be here to help you through it. We understand that any sort of injury that was not your fault can be extremely traumatic. That’s why we want to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve from your case.

In order to protect our clients from Covid-19, we are currently working remotely. However, we are still here to give you advice and free consultations to get your claim started. If you are happy to work with us, we can also offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will not need to pay any hidden fees and will always come out on top.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or through our claims checker. You can also talk to our solicitors for advice through our LiveChat. Let us know how we can help you and we will do our best to make sure you get the best service possible.

Personal Injuries and Halloween: How to stay safe!

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Criminal Injury, Gowing Law Updates, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised, Work Place Accidents

Personal injuries are more common than you think on All Hallows’ Eve! But here at Gowing Law, we always love being able to celebrate this holiday with our colleagues. Take a look at the photo below if you don’t believe us!

Whilst it is always a good laugh to dress up and be with friends on Halloween, this year things may be a bit different. After all, we are all staying inside in order to socially distance and avoid spreading Covid-19 to our friends and loved ones. However, if you are still going out to do a little trick or treating, you need to try your best to keep you and your loved ones safe. Did you know that on average there are around 41 million kids and parents that go out on Halloween? That’s why it’s one of the spookiest days of the year for personal injuries solicitors.

If you do get hurt, Gowing Law Solicitors can help make the claim less spooky! Have a look at our claims checker to get started:

Should I really go out Trick or Treating this Halloween?

This year, personal injuries are going to be the least of your worries when it comes to Halloween. As we stated before, Covid-19 is going to have a large impact on the way we interact with other people long into the future. That’s why you may also be considering whether or not it’s worth going out this year. There isn’t exactly going to be any parties this year, nor is it really worth going to your neighbour’s houses in order to get sweets. After all, you have to interact with people outside of your social bubble in order for your children to get candy.

We would highly recommend that you go with your gut instinct on what you think is right to do. Whilst it has not yet been banned to go trick or treating, right now you won’t be able to go in a group larger than six. That and there will still be a chance that you could spread germs around to your neighbours. Take appropriate precautions if you do decide to go out.

Here are some of our own suggestions to get you started:

Young Children & Personal Injuries

Whilst it’s important to consider your own personal safety when you go out on Halloween night, let’s be honest, the most vulnerable people out on the street are going to be children. That’s why you need to be aware of any potential risks that might be posed to their safety. Make sure they are with you at all times and you know which houses they are visiting in order to get sweets.

One of the biggest urban personal injury legends about Halloween is that there might be poison or sharp objects within the chocolate. However, there has been very little evidence that this actually happens in real life. Usually, if a tampering does happen it is usually by a friend or family member who are trying to do it as a prank. No one has ever been killed because of tainted candy.

Just make sure to keep an eye your children and they should be okay. If they do suffer from a personal injury, you will have to represent them as they are under 18 years old.

How could I suffer from personal injuries on Halloween?

Out of all of the holidays, Halloween tends to be the one where people are most likely to get hurt. This is because they may go out to party, get drunk and fall over, or they may be crossing a busy street and end up in a pedestrian traffic accident. There are many types of problems that could lead to you getting hurt if you decide to go out. Take a look at our infographic below for an idea of what could happen when you go out for Halloween.

As you can see, the main accidents normally involve criminal activities, falling over, costume problems and pedestrian accidents with vehicles on the road. The first thing you need to think about is about how to walk safely around your neighbourhood, town, or city. It is going to be very dark, therefore you should consider wearing bright clothing, using glowing sticks or operating a Halloween candle. That way you can see others and others can see you. Go over street rules with your children, including:

Looking both ways before you cross a street.
Pausing at a curb before going out onto the road.
Holding hands before crossing a road.
Utilizing the sidewalk and crossroads to get around safely.

Establish these ground rules and maybe even make a map of your neighbourhood to ensure that they do not get lost. You should always have them carry a fully charged phone in which they can contact you if something bad does happen. That way if the responsible adult gets separated then people can stay in contact.

Work Accidents & Halloween

Public injuries can happen in any type of environment. Be it a pub, an office or any sort of public venue, if the accident was not your fault then it is very likely that you will be able to claim a large amount of compensation. The same thing happens if you have got a seasonal job at some kind of Halloween venue. This includes:

Themed bars and pubs
Outdoor Halloween events
Themed Halloween theme parks
Haunted Houses
Public parties

If you have managed to get a job at a themed event, there is a chance that you could get hurt due the negligence of your customers or management. Take a look at the case study below to get an idea of what could happen whilst you are on duty:

As you can see from our case-study, it was a completely unprovoked assault. Without any manager or security to protect him at work, Terry found himself helpless when he was attacked by customers. This means he could file his case with CICA or as a work accident claim with an experienced legal solicitor.

To make a claim, the accident needs not to have been caused by your own negligence. Instead, it needs to be the fault of someone else. Your place of work has a “duty of care” for your safety and security. That means they need to do everything within reason to keep you in a safe work environment. The accidents you experience may be due to a lack of training, experience or perhaps just bad luck.

You could get hurt due to:

Faulty equipment
Slips or trips
Violent customers
Unsafe working conditions
Inadequate management

These are only a few examples. If a work accident does happen, make sure to alert senior staff as quickly as possible. Your injury should be noted down within the work accident hand book, even if it is just seasonal/holiday work. You should also consider calling an ambulance, the police and collecting evidence, such as photographs, video, witness statements and CCTV footage.

Driving & Halloween

Traffic accidents tend to become more frequent on Halloween night. Distracted drivers may not be used to the area and so could look at their GPS more than the road. It is also very likely that they could be texting on their phone or speaking to someone in the car. Halloween parties could also make it more likely that there will be some drunk drivers behind the wheel. If you have experienced an accident due to the negligence of a drunk driver, it is very likely that you could get a lot of compensation for your injuries.

Always take care while driving, especially if you are taking care of children who are trick or treating. If there is an incident, be sure to take down the license plate and contact details of the other driver who caused the accident. You will also want to collect evidence from the scene of the traffic accident, this includes potentially getting a police report to ensure that you get a unbiased perspective on the accident itself.

How do I keep safe on Halloween night?

Now, Halloween should be an enjoyable holiday for you and all of your family. Personal injuries can happen at any time and in any place. That’s why you need to keep your guard up when you do go out and about. Things may be a little different this year, but you can still have fun.

When you get dressed up in your costumes, pick something bright and flamboyant in order to keep yourself visible. It is also recommended that you go in a group in order to make sure that someone has their eye on you at all times.

If you are going to drive on Halloween, make sure to avoid drinking at all costs. You may also want to avoid it if you have a long walk home. Many people trip up and fall because they lose their balance after having a night on the town. Drunk walking can also make people stumble onto the road off the sidewalk. Whilst you may not need to pay compensation if you are a pedestrian, the last thing that you want on your hands is to know that you have hurt someone else. Instead, focus on how you can have fun whilst remaining safe. That way you can fully enjoy the Halloween event without there being any consequences. You will only have good memories.

What should I do if I experience personal injuries on Halloween?

You should treat them just as you would if you get hurt on any other day. You should consider going to hospital to have your wounds checked out. If you are well enough to collect evidence then you should do so. This includes getting:

Photographs and videos
CCTV evidence
Police reports
Medical reports
Receipts
Witness statements
Diary entries

You will also want to get legal counsel on how to move forward with your claim. Gowing Law’s trained solicitors are more than happy to help you with your personal injury claim. That way you can avoid making any mistakes that could invalidate it. Gowing Law’s personal injuries specialists can also help you when it comes to your settlement agreement. They can calculate an estimate about how much you could be owed and whether or not you should go to court to settle the case. Make sure to also show them the evidence you have gathered. They can help you organize it!

Gowing Law is here to support you with any sort of personal injuries claim

Here at Gowing Law, we would be more than happy to help you with your claim. If you have got hurt, and it was not your fault, our personal injury specialists will make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. We can offer free advice and consultations to get you started. These can be undertaken remotely if you are worried about Covid-19. From there, if you decide you want to work with us, our solicitors can offer their services on a ”no win-no fee”.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today by contacting our legal firm at 0800 041 3850, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or using our claims checker. You can also reach out to us directly by using our contact page or LiveChat. Let us know how we can help you! Our solicitors are on the case.

Electronic Scooter Compensation: Can I make a claim?

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

Electronic scooter compensation is a fairly new type of claim you can make when it comes to transport injuries. With Covid-19 looming in its second wave, lockdown being imminent and remote working being pushed back onto the UK office worker, it’s not surprising that you may not be taking your car out for a drive. Instead, you may be looking for a simple way to get around your area. That’s why the E-scooter has become such a useful form of transport. It’s small, easy to put away and quick.

With a new form of transport, new rules of the road need to be formed. In July 2020, the UK government officially allowed E-scooters to be trialled on the road. E-scooters could become part of the new normal. So, it’s best to get used to them in advanced. That way, if you end up in a traffic accident then you will know exactly how to claim compensation. Click the link below to find out more about traffic accident claims:

What is an e-scooter?

Don’t worry if you don’t actually know what an e-scooter is yet. It’s still relatively new and has only recently become legal to drive on the road. An e-scooter has all the proponents that come with a normal scooter. The main difference is that it has a motor that can propel the vehicle forward. These scooters can reach up to 30 mph. This is why you may have some problems when you finally encounter them. Not only are they small, but they can move fast. That means it makes them a vulnerable vehicle when it comes to traffic accidents. However, they also come with a range of benefits that include being:

Practical for storage
Eco-friendly
Cost-effective

Drivers are required to have a validated license and are recommended to wear a helmet at all times.

What dangers can come with an e-scooter?

E-scooters are very small vehicles. That means that they can be difficult to see and too fast to stop if they do end up unfortunately travelling onto the road. If you take a look at the infographic below, you can get an idea of what dangers you need to watch out for if you do spot an e-scooter on the road:

Unfortunately, collisions with E-scooters can have fatal consequences. Back in July 2019, YouTube star Emily Hartridge actually died in an e-scooter collision with a lorry. She was only 35-years-old.

Sadly, there have been many similar incidents around the UK that have resulted in the deaths of loved ones due to the lack of safety provided whilst operating an e-scooter. This is a big reason why only rental e-scooters being allowed to be operated on the road.

Keeping safe on an e-scooter

Now, an e-scooter can reach speeds of over 30 mph. That means that they can actually be quite dangerous if they interfere with traffic. Some e-scooters only have one break, which can also mean that braking can actually be very difficult. So, always try to brake in advance when you go out with your e-scooter. You may not be required to wear a helmet, but if you are going anywhere near a road or pathway, you should wear one anyway. You may also want to invest in bright clothing or flash gear in order to make sure that you are always quickly seen when you are out and about.

E-Scooters and the “Duty of Care”

Just like any other type of vehicle, it is essential that you understand the rules of the road. Of course, learning how to drive is one thing, but another thing you will need to have an understanding of is the “duty of care”. When a driver operates a vehicle on the road, whether it be a motorcycle or a car, they need to be aware of other road users.

You need to make sure that you do not breach your duty of care towards these drivers. Instead, you need to be conscientious of what other drivers are doing when you are on the same road together. The same thing applies if you are driving a scooter. Take a look around you to see if there are any drivers around you. Keep a safe distance, as you are classified as a vulnerable vehicle, and watch for the direction they are going. It can be tempting to try and overtake them, but you should resist this urge.

If you follow this duty of care, you should be able to remain safe whilst you operate your e-scooter. It is important to realize that as you can get insurance for e-scooters, if you are found negligent of your duty of care, it is likely that you could be taken to court for a compensation claim. To avoid this, try and keep as safe as possible. Do not take any unnecessary risks!

What should you do if you have recently been involved in an e-scooter accident?

As an e-scooter rider, you owe your duty of care towards cyclists, pedestrians and all vehicle users on the road. However, they also owe you the same type of treatment. Unfortunately, collisions do happen and you may up quite badly hurt. After all, you have less protection than many of the other vehicles. You are in the same bracket as motorcycles and pedestrians. Therefore, you need to wear bright clothing and have lights that can make sure that you are recognisable in both summer, winter, night and daytime.

If you have taken these precautions but still get hurt, it is very unlikely that it is going to be your fault. No matter what type of accident you have had, the first thing you should do is either ring for an ambulance or ring the police. That way you can have your wounds assessed in hospital and get a medical report. If you ring the police, you can also get an unbiased police report that can serve as good evidence if you decide to take you electronic scooter compensation claim to court.

You may be too injured to collect evidence, but if you are waiting for an ambulance then you may want to consider collecting evidence. Your evidence can include:

Photographs of your injuries and damaged vehicle
Videos/CCTV/Dash-Cam footage of your injuries, the collision and your damaged vehicle
Witness statements
Medical reports
Police reports
Receipts
Wage Slips (To prove loss of opportunity/pay)
Diary Entries
Insurance paperwork

What sort of injuries can I get from an electronic scooter accident?

If you are looking to get electronic scooter compensation, you will also need to consider how bad your physical injuries are. Life-changing injuries are going to get you more compensation than if you have only suffered from a few breaks. Have a look at our example below:

As you can see from our example, minor injuries can only get a small amount of compensation. This is because they have not changed your life or had an ongoing negative consequence. It may take you a little bit of time to recover, but ultimately you will be back on your feet in no time. However, if you have lost a limb, suffered mobility issues or are struggling to get back to your day-to-day life, it’s very likely that you will receive a higher amount of compensation.

E-scooter injuries may include:

Bumps, bruises and scrapes
Internal bleeding
Nerve damage
Broken bones
Loss of limb
Brain damage
Neck damage

Of course, there are many other types of injuries that you may suffer from. Make sure to discuss these with your solicitor. You may need to get a medical report in order to prove how bad the damages are in court. The same can apply if you have suffered from any emotional damages alongside your physical damages.

Will I get electronic scooter compensation if I did not wear a helmet?

Whilst you may have to claim for partial compensation and may be seen as liable if you do not wear a helmet, there is no law saying that you have to wear a helmet whilst operating a rented e-scooter. However, you may not get compensation if you were operating a privately own e-scooter. Instead, you may also be liable for a criminal prosecution charge.

Are there any other types of ways that I could get hurt and claim electronic scooter compensation?

Not every accident needs to be caused by another person. In fact, you and your e-scooter may have ended up in an accident because of the e-scooter itself or your environment. For instance, if you encountered a pothole as you were driving your vehicle, it was up to local government to fix that, not you. That’s why you would ask for local government to pay for your compensation.

Additional problems could happen that cause an accident. These include:

Environmental factors (i.e. lack of road signs)
Problems with your e-scooter (i.e. mechanical trouble)
Repair jobs with your e-scooter going wrong

Keep an eye on these before you go out onto the road. That way you can keep safe when you venture out.

How long will it take to make an electronic scooter compensation claim?

This is the type of question we get asked quite often. Honestly, it does not matter what type of claim you have. It entirely depends on your own individual circumstances. For instance, if the third party refuses to accept your settlement agreement, you will find that it takes longer to address due to the fact that it will need to go to court. During this time you will need to find evidence and build your case up to prove you are a victim of negligence. This will naturally take longer than it would for someone who has a third party that takes responsibility for the accident and is willing to come to a settlement outside of court with their insurer.

Be patient with your solicitor. You have to keep in mind that they need to take into account the full details of your case. Not only that, but they have to also work under the current lockdown and lack of access to their work place. There is also a chance that your case goes to remote court in order to lower the amount of exposure for you and your solicitor. This will all take time.

How much will I get from my electronic scooter compensation claim?

Again, this depends on your own individual circumstances. Someone who has broken their leg is going to naturally get more compensation than someone who has just come out of an accident with scrapes and bruises. Speak to your solicitor about how much you could be owed. This will help you figure out the type of evidence you need to prove and win your case.

Need help making an electronic scooter compensation claim?

Gowing Law is here to help you! All of our traffic accident specialists want to make sure that you get the justice and compensation that you deserve. They can offer their advice through free consultations. If you are happy to work with them, our lawyers in Manchester can offer their services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means even if you do not win your case, you will always come out on top!

Get in touch with Gowing Law Solicitors today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Learn more about electronic scooter compensation from our blog!

Remember, Gowing Law keeps its blog updated with the latest content about UK legal policies and compensation claims. Scroll through our blog to find the article of your choice. Don’t worry if you can’t find a blog to suit your interest. Just send in your suggestions to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to update our blog with your requests.

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Writing a Will & Covid-19: Should I make one?

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Covid-19, Uncategorised, Wills

Writing a will is a bit of a morbid topic. But nowadays, if you are moving towards your golden years, it’s something that you should be considering. We have recently managed to get through the first wave of the pandemic. But as winter comes, you will want to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible. That’s why the wisest thing you can do is start planning your will. No one likes thinking about death. However, it’s essential if you want to protect your family and friends if the worst comes to the worst.

Watching for BBC updates about the second wave can leave you feeling nervous about the future. However, creating a legalised will can give you some peace of mind. That way you can feel good knowing your property can be taken care of, even after you are no longer here. Gowing Law can help you through our will-writing services. Check out our services through the button below:

Why should I consider writing a will?

Honestly, whilst it can feel a little morbid to discuss wills and who you want to pass your property on to, it is one of the most sensible things you can do during a pandemic. If you do not have a will in place, it is very likely that it will be passed onto the court system. They will decide who gets what property. So, if there is someone you don’t want to include your will, they may inadvertently get access to your property. Having a will in place will give you more control over your own property and assets. You can decide who gets what and can also inform the people in your will about any additional conditions that come with the property.

Have a look at the infographic below to get a better idea of how a will can help you understand how you can look after your family in the future:

Lockdown will writing can be quite scary, but the second wave of the pandemic has not fully hit yet. That’s why you should consider getting one as soon as possible. Whilst you will still need to take strict social-distancing measure whilst sorting your will (including wearing a mask and finding an outdoor area to have your witnesses sign the will), it will be easier than when your local area becomes part of a regional lockdown.

A Quick Reminder: Safety & Covid-19

Before we jump into will-writing a little further, we just want to make a little note about safety during the pandemic. Whether you are trying to get a remote trial date about a hit and run accident, or you are trying to stay away from crowded areas, keep your family safe through social distancing and wearing a mask in interior and exterior environments when you are around people. You should also download the NHS app to ensure you know when you need to self-isolate.

Here at Gowing Law we have already taken precautions in order to make sure that all of our services reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. Not only do our staff now work remotely, but we are fully prepared to offer our services, including our Will-writing services, through electronic calls, emails and even the post if need be! We can also help prepare you for remote trial if your case does go to court.

Keep smart and safe. That way you can protect yourself and your family during this difficult time.

What should I consider first when I am writing a will?

One of the main things that you need to consider to start with is who your executor is going to be. The executor will be the person who carries out the wishes of your will. That’s why you should pick someone who is close to you and would be willing to handle the finer details of your requests. For instance, they will need to understand any debt you have or the financial details behind investment opportunities you want to pass on to your benefactors.

Once you have decided on an executor of your will, you need to think about what’s going to go in the will in general. Here are some additional things that you should consider including in your will:

Any property you own.
Funeral wishes (i.e. what type of funeral you want, where you want to be buried, etc.)
Legal guardians who will take care of your children under the age of 18.
Your money and assets (Including stocks, shares, bonds and pensions)
Estate Beneficiaries
Your mortgage
Any debt or inheritance tax that may be included in the will

These are only a few examples of what you could be included in your will. Just think carefully about what you own and what you would like to be passed on. That’s the best way of figuring out how to sort out who gets what.

Who can I leave my property to within my UK will?

The best thing about having a will is that it is completely personal to you and your needs! That means you decide where your money goes and who it goes to. Most people make the mistake where they think that their property can only go to actual people, i.e. their family. In reality, you can let your money, assets, property and estates to anyone or anything that you want. Take a look below to get an idea who you may want to put down as a beneficiary in your will:

Think carefully about who you want to leave your assets to. You can change this at any time. But keep in mind that you will need to validate the will again if you do make any changes.

How do I validate a will during the pandemic?

There are three main ways that you can tell if you have a valid will that can make you feel comforted during this pandemic:

Your will must be signed by you and written in writing. This will have been witnessed by two people.
Your will must been made voluntarily without any sort of pressure from other people.
You must understand the effect the will is going to have on the people around you. This means you need to have the mental capacity in order to make the will itself.

Now, you may be asking yourself how you can validate a will during a pandemic. You need to adhere to social distancing and the witnesses cannot be people listed within the will. Well, don’t worry. There are ways that you can socially distance whilst validating a will. This includes signing the will outdoors. You can bring your own pens and move way appropriately when it comes to signing the will. There are people using car hoods and even watching from side-fences in the will creator’s back garden.

Just remember, if you are signing a will then you will need to be in the same place where it is signed. It is not signed properly then the will could be invalidated.

How can a solicitor help me with my will?

It’s always wise having legal counsel when you decide to write a will. UK residents may not have the experience needed in order to understand the finer details of constructing a will that is valid in the eyes of the law. A solicitor can help you avoid any mistakes that could invalidate your will. Instead, they can work with you (remotely) to ensure that all of the fine details are sorted before your witnesses are called to help you with the will. The power of drafts can make you feel more comfortable. Your lawyer will always provide you with drafts of your will so it can be fine-tuned to perfection.

The lesson is, don’t set about constructing a will on your own. Always get the help of a professional lawyer.

What should I expect when I start writing a will?

Honestly, you should expect a lot of different drafts! If you decide to work with a trained UK solicitor, you will start by getting your information together. This includes who you want to put in your will and what assets need to be included. You will then need to sort through this information and decide on a structure for your will. Your lawyer will go away and start writing up the first draft. From here, it will be a simple process of looking at drafts, approving them or asking for changes. Eventually, you will get the final product that will need to be validated by you and your witnesses. Voila, you will have a will that you will be able to keep changing in the future.

Can I really write a will remotely?

Yes you can! The pandemic has turned the world upside down. Not only has it affected how we work and deal with work accidents, but it has also impacted how we socialise with other people. Therefore, it’s only natural that you may feel a little nervous about meeting someone out in public that you have never met before.

This is why it’s a lot easier being able to handle writing a will remotely. Will-writing can be tricky and you need all of the support that you can get. Therefore, having a Gowing Law Solicitor on your side can help you out. Writing a will remotely may include:

Having electronic phone calls/ video calls to discuss your will
Drafts of your will being sent over e-mail or through the post
Advising you on cautionary measures with your witnesses
Recommendations about small details (i.e. using your own pens, using PPI to sign the will).

You will always be supported when you decide to write a will with Gowing Law Solicitors! We are here to help.

How much will it cost to make a will with Gowing Law?

There are two types of wills that you can choose to create with Gowing Law. One is a single will at £70. This will focus on your own property and assets. However, if you and your partner wish to create a will together, this is known as a “Joint Will”. We offer joint wills at £95. Have a chat with your significant other about what sort of will you want. Our solicitors would be more than happy to help you with either of these wills. We will listen to all of your questions and make sure to support you throughout your will-writing journey.

Write your will with Gowing Law!

We understand that talking about your will can be one of the most difficult conversations of your life. But Gowing Law will be here to support you through it. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to work with us, we will then guide you through the will-writing process. We will always keep your safety in mind during this pandemic.

Contact us today be calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our LiveChat located on our contact page.

Public Accident Injuries and Mental Health: We understand

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Uncategorised

Public accident injuries can happen at any time and any place. This is what makes them so devastating. Usually, when people make a claim it’s because they have suffered from physical injuries. These are known as “general damages”. However, they don’t tend to think much about any other type of repercussions, including “special damages”. Did you know that 3 out of 4 people end up having mental issues because of their accident? It’s not surprising considering the type of trauma that they have experienced.

Not many people consider the mental impact that public accidents can have on a person. But Gowing Law certainly does. We want you to understand that we know the after-effects of a public accident. Whether you have suffered an injury from a work accident or perhaps a car accident on the road, we want to be able to help you through the hardest parts of your injury claim. Part of this assistance is ensuring that you look after your mental health during the recovery process. That’s why we would recommend not only checking your claim on our new form, but also downloading our helpful whitepaper below.

Why would I suffer from mental health problems after a public accident?

When we think about public accident injuries, we tend to think about life-changing wounds that could have a severe impact on someone’s daily routine. For instance, if someone has suffered from an accident on a construction site, they may have lost mobility in part of their body after using faulty equipment, or if they are doing repetitive tasks in their office then they may have repetitive strain injuries in their fingers, hands or wrists. Some injuries may appear minor but can still cause the victim to experience trauma that may make them feel anxious, nervous or paranoid about carrying on with their daily activities.

This is the true psychological effect of an accident on your mental health. Whilst the injury may be small, you certainly do not want to go through it again. That’s why you start putting up emotional barriers that can prevent you from going through the same experience again. Take a look at our case study below to get an idea of how this could happen:

What are the symptoms of mental health trauma?

When the National Accident Helpline conducted a survey of around 1,000 of their clients, they found that at least 7 out of 10 people who had experienced an accident through no fault of their own had experienced some symptoms of mental health trauma. The most common types of symptoms (reported by around 34-35% of those surveyed) were anxiety and stress. However, other trauma symptoms may include:

Depression
OCD
PTSD
Trichotillomania
Self-harm
Anger
Problems with relationships
Panic attacks
Phobias

Experiencing trauma after any type of public accident injuries can leave you feeling like the world is not quite right. It can shake up how you view the world and also the dynamic of your household. It can also put you at odds with the people you love. After all, they don’t want to see you hurt, but you may feel as if they cannot understand everything that you have been through. Therefore, you may struggle with fits of rage or sadness. Either way, it is going to shake your mental health and may mean that you need some help to get yourself back on your feet.

The impact of mental health and public accident injuries

If you are suffering from public accident injuries from your accident, you cannot underestimate the effect that your mental health will have on your recovery. Most people make this mistake with public accident injuries and assume that they will be completely fine once they have been prescribed the appropriate treatment for their physical injuries. But mental health can have a bigger impact than most people would like to admit.

The best way of thinking about your mental health accident is that it is just like a broken bone that needs time to repair. It’s not going to be an instant fix. Instead, it may need proper treatment to address the issue. The same way that a broken bone may need a cast, you may require medication, counselling or specific therapies in order to slowly address your issues.

Have a look below to see some of the issues you may experience if you are recovering from a physical injury after a public accident.

These are only a few of the problems that could come about due to a public accident injury. That’s why you need to be prepared for how you are going to recover both mentally and physically. Look at it as a long trek not a quick walk. It’s going to take time and effort to eventually get to a stable point on the pathway, but overall it will be worth it.

Mental health and the workplace

Unless you are working remotely, you may find that your job adds to your stress. If you have recently been hurt in the workplace, don’t forget to check out our work accident interview series. This should give you some information on what you should claim for the case.

It’s important to realize that if you have suffered from a serious injury, and are also suffering from emotional damages, this could inhibit you from doing your normal job. In fact, you may start to struggle doing simple tasks due to your heightened emotions and the fear that the accident may happen again. If you have been sent home to recover, and are currently not getting SSP, you could claim for the wages you have lost, as well as any loss of opportunity.

Will I need evidence for my mental health claim?

Whilst you do need to relax in order to help with your recovery, if you want to make a mental health claim for your public accident injuries, you will be required to provide evidence. There are many different types of damages that you can claim for, including:

Physical damages
Emotional damages
Equipment damages
Loss of Opportunity
Financial damages
Medical fees

You cannot make a claim for emotional damages (aka. for your mental health claim) without there being evidence of a physical injury. So make sure that you have photos, videos, CCTV evidence, witness statements and receipts of treatment. If you want to combine this with emotional damages, you may also want to use witness statements and diary entries to prove that you are struggling on a day-to-day basis. You can also use medication receipts and reports to prove that you have been to a doctor about the issues. This will prove that they exist and you are suffering with them. It can also show that you have been forced to pay for treatment for them out of your own pocket.

How can Gowing Law Solicitors help with your recovery?

Mindfulness is extremely important when it comes to your recovery. That’s why we have created a whitepaper on how to look after yourself if you get hurt due to an accident that was out of your control. This can be a good starting point when it comes to understanding how you can relax and unwind so that the stress of the incident does not affect you as hard.

However, we can also help with the claim itself. It can be a bit of a hassle trying to recover whilst having an ongoing case for compensation. Not only can they get extremely complicated, especially if the other party refuses to accept a settlement agreement, but you may find that they have paperwork that requires a large amount of legal experience to fully understand. You shouldn’t be forced to endure this. That’s why having the help of a legal specialist will put you on the right track.

Not only that but Gowing Law can offer you the names of psychological and trauma specialists in your area that can help you get the help that you need. We can try and contact them for you on your behalf and let them know what sort of problems you are facing. That way you can get the help that you need when you need it most. Gowing Law Solicitors will be here to support you throughout your legal journey.

Will my mental health affect my claims case?

Now, normally for any sort of claims case you would find that there is a deadline that has been set for a settlement to be agreed in three years. However this can be changed depending on how bad your mental health is. For instance, if your accident has left you with severe mental health issues, you may find that the amount of time you have to sort the case out is extended. To get this extension, you will want the assistance of an experienced solicitor. That way they can write in to the courts and help you understand exactly how much time you get for your claim.

It’s important to remember that your mental health trauma is completely valid. If you are in need of help then you have the right to take it. We can make sure to help you get the best amount of time possible to ensure that the case is undertaken with the appropriate amount of time.

What should I do if the other party refuses to work with me on a settlement agreement

Not all cases are cut and dry. In fact, some public accident injuries may be so severe that your life is changed forever. Most of the time, the other party involved will be willing to work with you on a settlement agreement. However, in other cases you may find that they don’t. If this happens to you, you can work with your solicitor on collecting evidence and your medical records. If they still do not agree to work with you, you and your solicitor can take them to court. This is where a judge can decide on the amount you are owed. So, don’t worry, it will end up being sorted!

This is why it is always important to have a legal specialist on your side. They can help you fill out any tricky paper work help you avoid potential mistakes and make sure that your claim is handled with ease. Even if the other party refuses to work with you, they will make sure to handle all of the difficulties of the case on your behalf.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today for help with Public Accident Injuries!

Ready to get the help you need to claim a high amount of compensation? You didn’t deserve to get hurt. That’s why Gowing Law Solicitors will be here to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get started. If you are happy with our solicitors and their advice, you can work with them on a “no win, no fee” basis. That means there will be no hidden fees and you will always come out on top.

If you are already a customer of Gowing Law, why not get involved in our loyalty scheme? That way you can have the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes. Click here to learn more about our loyalty scheme.

Contact Gowing Law today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our contact page. One of our team members will then be in contact in order to help you with your claim.

Learn more about compensation claims for public accident injuries

Don’t worry! Gowing Law will always be here to help you with your claim. That’s why we keep our blog updated with the latest information about different types of compensation and UK legal policies. If you cannot find the blog you are looking for, why not let us know? We would be more than happy to write about your own suggestions! Send in your ideas to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Our helpful content team would then be more than happy to write up a blog to help you understand the claim in more detail. We can also sign you up to our newsletter. Just let us know.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog. Good luck with your claim!

Should I report my accident at work injury to my manager?

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Covid-19, Uncategorised, Work Place Accidents

An accident at work injury can cause more than just a few bumps and bruises. Large injuries can actually cause severe trauma and slow-healing wounds that may take months on end to heal up. This can lead to you missing out on potential opportunities that you would have received if you were able-bodied at the time. If you get hurt in any type of work accident, you should immediately report it to your co-workers and manager. Get their attention and make sure that you get the medical treatment that you need. That way you, and anyone else who was hurt in the accident, can start the process of a work accident claim without any potential difficulties causing a problem to you and the amount of pay-out that you receive.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you understand how you can move forward with your claim. Get in contact now for free advice and legal counsel. Click the link below for more information:

Covid-19 & Accidents: What to expect?

Before we jump into work injuries and compensation claims, let’s talk about the current pandemic and work accidents. A lot of people are currently working remotely through a VPN or are currently making preparations to return to working on-site if they are essential staff or have been asked to by a manager or employer. Remote workers may be wondering if they are entitled to compensation if they get hurt, but if you are going back on-site then you will also need to think about the risks that Covid-19 presents to your employees. There is a chance that if your employee catches Covid-19 that they could claim compensation. Take a look below to see how this could work:

As you can see it is extremely easy for one mistake to cause an accident that could cost a company thousands in compensation from their employer liability insurance. That’s why it’s important to maintain social distancing in the office or any other type of workplace. Make sure to follow government guidelines and that your employees are always protected when they come in on their commute and leave to go home.

Why should I report an accident at work to a manager?

Naturally, if you get hurt at work then you will need to get help to deal with any repercussions. Any accident may have been due to the negligence of your employer, perhaps because of the hazards in your environment or maybe due to the naivety of your co-workers. Either way, you got hurt because of an accident that happened on work property. That means it’s their responsibility to ensure that you get the medical help you need to recover.

Reporting an accident to a manager or employer can also prove that it happened in the first place. Although most employers will simply take responsibility for what happened, you may also get some employers who may try to cover it up or wriggle out of it if you leave the claim too late. Always alert colleagues and managers as to what has happened to you. That way you will have evidence that an accident did take place.

What will happen if I do not report my accident?

Honestly, if you do not report your accident and then try to make a claim, it is very unlikely that you will be able to claim compensation. After all, you may have got hurt somewhere else. Without the evidence to prove it then your employer may not have to pay you compensation or may not even grant you sick leave. As soon as you get hurt, make sure to alert your fellow staff and higher management. That way even if there is a potential cover up, you can make sure that you at least have witnesses that can vouch for you. Take a look at the infographic below to see some additional things you should avoid after having an accident at work.

So, the overall lesson is to always tell someone about your work accident. Whilst you can collect a vast amount of evidence for your case, if you do not report it then you may find that your employer claims that they say that you did not inform them immediately, therefore they had no way of reacting to your injuries in an appropriate manner. This includes getting medical aid and writing it down in the work accident book.

Will I be fired for my work accident?

Work accidents can be a sensitive subject for many people. After all, you don’t want to think that you could easily get hurt when you are meant to be in a safe environment. But when accidents do happen, not every employer is going to react the same. You should never be fired for your work accident, after all they should be prepared with the right insurance to ensure that you are rightly compensated for all sort of accident at work injury claims. However, if your employment is terminated because of your accident, this will change the type of claim you actually have. It is known as unfair dismissal. This means that you will have to bring your employer to court for an employment tribunal case. You should never have to tolerate an employer abusing their power and should be rightly compensated for your losses.

So, what should I do if I have been hurt in a work accident injury?

Now that you understand how important it is to report the accident to your manager or work mates, you should also understand what the proper procedure is when you are in a work accident. Following the correct protocol means that you can get the highest amount of compensation possible if the accident is taken to trial or you have a settlement agreement with the employer’s insurer.

As discussed, the first thing that you should do is tell someone that you got hurt. That way your work accident book can be updated with the details of your accident. You are entitled to a copy of this report. Once you have the report documented then you should get medical assistance as quickly as possible. Even if you have only suffered from minor wounds, you should have them checked just to make sure they are not any worse than they initially appear. You may also want to look around for evidence. Evidence may include:

Photographs of your injuries and the accident environment
Videos and CCTV footage
Witness statements
Medical reports
Police reports
Diary Entries
Receipts of financial losses

Once you have collected your evidence then you should go to a solicitor to help have it organized and your case discussed. They can help you understand what you are entitled to and how you can get the highest amount of compensation possible.

What kind of damages can I claim for?

Whether you have a pedestrian traffic accident claim or a beauty claim case, most of the damages that you can claim for fall under similar brackets. The main categories of damages are “general damages” and “special damages”. General damages account for the pain and suffering of the claimant. This may include their:

Physical damages
Emotional damages

Special damages are for the claimant’s financial losses. A lot of people naturally assume that the only thing that they can claim for are their physical injuries, however this is certainly not the case. If you have made any financial losses then you can claim them back. Take a look at the case study below for an example:

As you can see, Margaret was forced to pay for her injuries, including her tax fees and recovery treatments. However, there are other types of financial losses she could have experienced, including the loss of wage and opportunity. So, for instance, let’s say that you were aiming for a promotion for your hard work at your company. If you suddenly got hurt and were not able to go to work anymore, it is very likely that you wouldn’t get the promotion. In fact, you may end up losing out on your wages because you are going to be forced to take sick leave.

What happens if my accident at work injury is not reported by my employer?

Did you know that it is a legal requirement for an accident to be reported to RIDDOR? If employers don’t, then you may find that they end up being sued or could get a large fine of up to £20,000. Sometimes they may even get an unlimited fine that is requested from the Crown Court. If you have been injured due to a work accident, you do have the right to ask your employer what they are going to do about it. In other words, you can find out whether or not the incident was reported to an appropriate authority. If it wasn’t then you can use this as evidence of neglectful behaviour. You can even prove that they have breached their duty of care.

What should I do if my accident at work injury is not reported?

The first thing you need to do is not panic. It can feel horrible knowing that your employer isn’t acting like they are on your side. However, some cases are simply more complicated than others. Even if your employer tries to fight against giving your compensation, having a trained solicitor on your side can make sure that the legal process moves forward smoothly.

Your solicitor will advise you to focus on collecting evidence if your injury has not been reported. For instance, if you get a medical report of your injuries, you could show how old they are and how they relate back to the accident that occurred in the workplace. Providing your lawyer can help them to start building your case, especially if you combine it with any other type of evidence that can:

Prove your injuries before you received any medical treatment (i.e. Photographs or videos)
Show where the accident took place and what the hazard was (i.e. CCTV, photographs and videos)
Validate your own statements and opinions of what happened (i.e. witness statements)
Show examples of previous accidents that have happened in your workplace (i.e. witness statements or records)

How long will I have to report the work accident to my manager?

Honestly, if you are suffering from severe injuries that could change your life, you should speak to your manager straight away. That way they can be reported by your manager to RIDDOR as soon as possible. Any initial report of the incident must be written up within 10 days of the accident being reported to RIDDOR. Keep this in mind when you ask your manager for an update. If they have not adhered to the 10 day deadline then they could get in trouble for negligence.

Outside of the initial report, you may also be wondering about how long it will actually take to make a work accident claim. You should always aim to have your work accident claim sorted out as quickly as possible. That means that there will be a less likely chance that you could lose evidence or have your wounds get any worse without appropriate treatment.

You will have three years from the time of your accident to make claim. Make sure to give your lawyer as much time as possible. That way they can get your claim organized in a manner that can get you the highest amount of compensation possible. You can also check in with them to learn how your claim is going. They can also advise you on what you can do to help.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your accident at work injury claim

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve. We will provide you with expert advice on your claim and carefully explain anything that you may need help with. To get started with your claim, feel free to get in contact with us. If you’re happy with our free advice and consultations, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top and never have to pay any hidden fees.

Contact us today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or through our helpful online claims checker.

Ready to read more about work accident claims?

Work accident claims can get complicated quickly. This can only get harder if you do not have the right help to guide you. Gowing Law prides itself on providing helpful law advice. Our help can get you on the right track with claiming your pay-out. Not only can you get this advice from our experienced solicitors in Manchester, but from our blog. We keep our blog updated with new content every week. Make sure to check back to see what new topics we are covering.

If you want to suggest a topic, feel free to write in your questions to info@gowinglaw.co.uk! We would be more than happy to write about our experience and how you should handle your accident at work injury claim. Feel free to also let us know through our social media.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Loss of earnings: Will my solicitor ask about them?

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Uncategorised

Your loss of earnings could indicate that you have suffered damages if you have recently been involved in an accident that was not your fault. Normally, when you think about the different types of accidents there are, the first type your mind will go to are the physical damages that could come with the injury. However, there are many more types of damages that could range from general losses to special losses. This is why when your solicitor asks you about your loss of earnings, you should not get defensive or feel concerned about it. In fact, they are simply trying to add up the amount of losses you have already experienced.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to support you through any type of public accident claim or financial-mis-selling claim. Click the link below to check your claim and learn more information from our trained solicitors in Manchester.

What exactly is a “loss of earnings” claim?

One of the biggest problems that can happen after an injury, whether it be due to an accident at work or a traffic accident, are financial losses. These are commonly known as “special damages.” Not only could your life be completely changed due to a severe injury, but you could potentially be unable to support yourself as medical fees, recovery fees and equipment payment could leave your wallet feeling more than a little empty. This is why if you have potentially lost money, you need to let your solicitor know as quickly as possible. They can help you calculate your total losses and ensure that your get a fair pay-out. If this is from your employer then it will be from their employer liability insurance, however if you are involved in a traffic accident then this could be from the other party’s vehicle insurance.

How would a solicitor be able figure out my special damages from my payslip?

If you have suffered from a loss of earnings and opportunity potential, the payslips will actually act as evidence to show that you are being accurate with your statements. One of the biggest slip-ups that people can do when it comes to their injury claim is over-estimating their losses. This means that they can come out as inaccurate and potentially lower the amount of compensation if it comes to light they were miscalculated. That’s why it is best to always have a solicitor help you with the amount of compensation that you are owed.

You should provide your solicitor with payslips from over the last three months. These payslips should be from before the accident took place. That way an accurate representation of your wages can be gained. These slips will count as your evidence and will prove your losses based on their post-tax figures. They will demonstrate what you could have been entitled to if you did not have the accident in the first place.

What else could a pay-slip prove?

In the legal world, there are two types of damages that you can claim for. These are known as “general damages” for your pain and suffering and “special damages” for your financial losses. If you have suffered from life-changing injuries then this could mean that you are spending more time at a hospital than you are at work. This means that there is a chance that the amount of pay that you receive may fluctuate over time, especially if you are not able to continue with your work duties remotely.

Your pay-slip can not only account for these fluctuations, but it could also account for any sort of loss of opportunity as well. Think of it this way. You were promised a pay raise and a promotion for your hard work for your company. You received the pay raise first before you were going to be moved up to your new title. However, before this happened, you managed to get badly hurt in a work accident.

Now, you expected your company to follow standard protocol and provide you with compensation from their insurance for the accident. However, as you took time off work in order to recover, you found out that the amount of money you received for your monthly wage was lessened. There were also no more talks about getting a promotion, instead, you found out that someone else received the title and wage to go with it. This is known as a loss of opportunity.

Be honest and open with your solicitor. That way they can quickly calculate how much you could be owed in your claim.

Should I expect sick pay to help me with my loss of earnings?

Yes! At the very minimum then you should expect to get sick pick in order to help you with your recovery. If you have got hurt somewhere, it is very likely that you are going to need to take time off work in order to aid with your recovery. For instance, if you have recently been involved in a construction accident and have hurt your hands, you aren’t going to be able to handle heavy equipment. That means that it is very unlikely you are going to be going to work until you have healed up.

In order to pay for your sick-pay, you may find that your employer actually deducts it from your net earnings. If this has already been agreed in your contract then you will not be able to claim for the losses. However, if it was not then you can work out your loss of earnings through figuring out your daily rate. You can then multiply it by the amount of days that you were absent from work.

Loss of future earnings

Let’s assume that you have suffered from a life-changing accident. That means that it’s more likely that you are not going to return to work for quite a long time. This means that eventually your employer is going to have to consider your future earnings. You will also need to consider how this is going to affect your claim.

Your loss of earnings will depend on your medical records and assessment. A doctor can make a statement about what they think your recovery will be like, what medical rehabilitation services you will need and how long it will take. If your timeline states that it will take a few months or years to recover, then this can be used to work out the amount of income you’ve lost. It will also consider the ideas of promotion and wage increase depending on your own history at your latest workplace.

Important things to think about with a loss of earnings claim

Before we move on to how a solicitor can help you with this type of claim, there are some important points that you should think about before you try to find legal representation. The first thing that you should think about is that you need to figure out if and how your accident happened due to someone else’s negligence. So, if you were in a traffic accident and were injured by a hit and run from an uninsured driver, then clearly you were not at fault because the other driver did not take safe measures to ensure your safety. They even left the scene of the crime and did not help you.

Think carefully about the type of claims case that you have. You need to prove that you were not at fault for the accident. That’s why it’s essential for you to submit your evidence. You can prove that you had no choice but to stay off work.

How can a solicitor help you with your loss of earnings?

Honestly, no matter what type of accident claim you have, it is important that you have some form of legal representation. This is because they can help you through the claims proceedings. Legal claims can get extremely complicated especially if you are struggling to come to a settlement agreement with your employer. That’s why it’s useful having someone with the right experience. They can help you understand when it comes to your loss of earnings.

A good solicitor will leave no stone unturned when it comes to your earnings. They will look into every sick day, holiday, overtime and loss of opportunity that could have affected the type of pay-out you received. Remember, you need time to recover and having a legal case on your mind will not aid with that. Instead, they will work on your behalf to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. That way you can simply relax and feel as if your case is in safe hands. They can even represent you in court if you feel nervous about any sort of hearing. Keep in mind that it could even be a remote hearing due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

How much compensation am I owed due to my loss of earnings claim?

Now, when we get this type of question, usually the answer is “how long is a piece of string?” Each compensation claim is entirely different. In some cases, the losses combined with physical injuries may only be minor. That means only a small amount of compensation can be claimed to help with the recovery. However, for life-changing injuries and financial losses, you will be able to claim much more.

The best way to determine the amount you could be owed through a pay-out is to speak with your solicitor. They can take note of all of your evidence, your injuries and your medical records. That way your case can be displayed in the best possible light. It is important that can get you a good amount of compensation for your losses.

Contact Gowing Law for help

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we want to make sure that you get the help you need with your claim. We have experience in a wide range of different types of claim cases. Whether you have suffered from a simple PPI tax mistake or perhaps a more serious medical negligence accident, our specialist solicitors can provide you with free advice and consultations. If you want to move forward with your claim, we can offer you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top. There will also be no hidden fees!

Contact our law firm today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or through our live chat on our contact page. One of our staff will then be in contact to help you with your questions.

Do you want to learn more about claims?

We are proud that we have kept our blog updated with the latest information about compensation claims and legal matters. If you want to learn more then you should keep an eye on our posts to see what’s new. We even accept suggestions from our readers. Feel free to send your ideas in to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to answer your questions. That way you can feel prepared for your claim even before you get started with our solicitors.

We wish you the best of luck with your claim. See you in our next blog update.

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